St. Thérèse of Lisieux
The Little Flower, Doctor of the Church
Feast Day: October 1
Biography
St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), born Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin, is one of the most popular and influential saints of modern times. The youngest of five daughters (all of whom entered religious life), she entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux at the extraordinary age of fifteen, having personally petitioned Pope Leo XIII for a dispensation. Despite her youth, she quickly grew in spiritual maturity, developing what she called the 'Little Way' — a path of holiness based not on extraordinary penances or heroic deeds but on performing the smallest daily acts with great love and childlike trust in God. Her autobiography, 'Story of a Soul,' written under obedience shortly before her death from tuberculosis at age 24, became one of the most widely read spiritual works in history. In it she wrote: 'My vocation is love! In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be love.' Though she never left her convent, she was declared co-patroness of the missions alongside St. Francis Xavier. She promised from heaven: 'I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses.' She was canonized in 1925, just 28 years after her death, and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997 — one of only four women to hold this title.
Patronages
Symbols
Prayer
St. Thérèse, the Little Flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the grace I seek through your intercession, and to tell me that you will help me in my need. Help me to be always faithful in the little things of life, trusting always in the love and mercy of God. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “St. Thérèse of Lisieux, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.