Saint Of The Day

Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) Discalced Carmelite nun, mystic, Doctor of the Church

Also known as Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus, the Little Flower, the Saint of the Little Way

Therese of Lisieux was born on January 2, 1873, in Alcon, Normandy, the ninth child of a middle-class French family. She was brought up in the typical atmosphere of an economically comfortable French family desiring piety and separation from the world. At the age of four, Therese's mother died and Therese was raised by her sisters Marie and Pauline. She became especially close to Pauline so when Pauline announced that she intended to become a nun, Therese expressed the same desire. Later when Therese wrote her autobiography on her sick bed, she stated that she not only wanted to become a nun, but more importantly, she wanted to become a saint.

Therese as a child was frequently in frail health and presented a strong desire to suffer for God. She was concerned about the poor and gave alms to them. Therese had a near death experience at the age of ten. In a fit of delirium, she witnessed the statue of the Virgin Mary coming to life and smiling at her. This experience strengthened her resolve to become a nun.

Finally at the age of 15, after pleading her case to Pope Leo XIII in an audience before him, Therese was admitted to the Carmelite convent on April 9, 1888. After entering the order, she suffered spiritual dryness, sought suffering to purify herself, and wished to die young.
Therese experienced pain similar to the transverberation or piercing of the heart suffered by St. Teresa of Avila.

Therese's most long lasting gift to her fellow spiritual sojourners is her autobiography entitled "Novissima Verba, meaning Last Words.

Therese died on September 30, 1897. Her last words were, "My God, I love thee!"