Therese was born in 1873 in Alencon, France, to an upper-middle-class family. She was the youngest of five sisters, all of whom would go on to join religious orders. From an early age, Therese was deeply devoted to God and felt a strong calling to a life of service. At the age of 15, she entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where she would spend the rest of her life.
Therese’s life as a nun was marked by a deep sense of love for God and a desire to serve others. She saw the small acts of kindness and service she carried out daily as a way to show her love for God. She believed that even the smallest gesture of kindness could change the world and bring others closer to God.
Therese’s teachings on spirituality revolved around the idea of “the little way.” This concept holds that one need not perform great acts of piety or be a martyr to show love for God. Rather, one can show their love through small acts of kindness and selflessness carried out in daily life. She wrote, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”
Therese’s deep love for God sustained her through the many trials she faced in her short life. She suffered from various illnesses, including tuberculosis, which ultimately took her life at the age of 24. Yet her unwavering faith and trust in God never wavered. In fact, it was during her final months that she wrote some of her most profound spiritual works, including her autobiography, “The Story of a Soul.”
Therese’s teachings and example continue to inspire countless people around the world to this day. Her focus on the little way shows that even in our ordinary, everyday lives, we can make a profound impact on the world around us. Her compassionate heart and devotion to God show us that true spiritual growth is measured not by the grandeur of our actions but by the purity of our intentions and the depth of our relationship with God.
Therese was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1925, and her feast day is celebrated on October 1st. She is the patron saint of aviators, florists, illness, missions, and tuberculosis patients.
In conclusion, Saint Therese of Lisieux was a truly remarkable woman who lived a life of unwavering devotion to God and selfless service to others. Her teachings on the little way continue to inspire and guide believers around the world, reminding us that even the smallest act of kindness can make a profound impact on the world around us. May we all strive to follow in Saint Therese’s footsteps, living lives of profound faith and love for God and others.