St. Thérèse of Lisieux: The Little Flower of Jesus
- Altynai Maria Abaskan
- Oct 1
- 2 min read
"My vocation is love." — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
The Feast of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, celebrated on October 1, honors one of the most beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Known affectionately as the Little Flower, St. Thérèse revealed through her life that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary, but is found in small acts of love and trust in God.
A Childlike Trust in God
Born in 1873 in Alençon, France, Thérèse Martin grew up in a deeply devout family. From an early age, she longed to dedicate her life to God. At just 15 years old, she entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where she embraced a hidden life of prayer, sacrifice, and love.
Her path was not marked by great achievements in the world, but by what she called her “little way” — doing small things with great love, offering every act, no matter how ordinary, to God.
Doctor of the Church
Despite her hidden life, Thérèse’s influence became immense through her autobiography, Story of a Soul. In it, she reveals her deep trust in God’s mercy and her childlike simplicity in approaching Him. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997, Thérèse teaches that sanctity is accessible to everyone, no matter their state in life.
Patroness of the Missions
Though she never left her convent, St. Thérèse is also the patroness of missionaries. Her burning desire to spread the Gospel and pray for souls gave her a universal mission. Her prayers and sacrifices supported the Church’s work of evangelization throughout the world.
A Reflection for Our Time
In our fast-paced world, St. Thérèse’s little way reminds us that holiness is not about doing extraordinary things, but about living ordinary life with extraordinary love. She calls us to simplicity, humility, and confidence in God’s mercy.
As we honor St. Thérèse of Lisieux on October 1, may we learn from her to trust completely in God and to embrace the little way of love that leads to heaven.
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