October 1 Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (LISIEUX)

Marie-Françoise Thérèse Martin was born in Normandy, France, in 1873, ninth and youngest child of Louis Martin, watchmaker, and Azélie-Marie Guérin, lacemaker. Her mather died when she was only five years old and the family moved to Lisieux where she was raised by her father, her sisters and an aunt. Three of her sisters became Carmelite nuns and the fourth joined the Visitandines.

At 15 Thérèse entered the Carmel of Lisieux. Her motto was phrase from the great Carmelite mystic John of the Cross, "love is repaid by love alone." Thérèse held special devotions to the heart of Jesus and to the spiritual Motherhood of Mary. Because of tuberculosis, Thérèse's activites were limited. She pioneered the ideal of the "little way": fidelity in the small things, trust and complete self'surrender to God.

Thérèse  had a gift for writing and the prioress, her sister Pauline, directed her to write first about her life in the convent. These were combined into The Story of a Soul, a modern spiritual autobiography.

The "Little Flower" died on September 30, 1897. Though Thérèse life spanned only 24 years, her faith and simplicity were remarkable. She was cannonized in 1925, and made Doctor of the Church in 1997. She is another patroness of missions in the Church, besides Saint Francis Xavier.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us!