St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
The Little Flower of Jesus
St. Therese of the Child Jesus is one of the most popular Catholic Saints since apostolic times. As a Doctor of the Church, she is the subject of much theological comment and study, and, as an appealing young woman whose message has touched the lives of millions, she remains the focus of much popular devotion.
She was the fifth and youngest daughter of Louis Martin, a watchmaker, and Marie-Zélie Guerin Martin, a successful lace maker. Both of her parents were devout Catholics. She was christened Marie Francoise Thérèse Martin at Our Lady of Notre Dame Church on January 4, 1873.
Her mother Zélie, wrote many loving letters about the baby Thérèse. “My little Thérèse is gentle and sweet as an angel. She has a delightful character; one can see that already. She has such a dear smile,” she wrote.
Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin were beatified on October 19, 2008 in the basilica dedicated to their daughter in Lisieux, France and were canonized on October 18 2015 in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City by Pope Francis.
On August 28, 1877, when St. Thérèse was only four years old, her mother Zélie, died of breast cancer.
The loss of her mother affected Thérèse immensely. From being cheerful, she became withdrawn and overly sensitive. She would later write, “Every detail of my mother’s illness is still with me, especially her last weeks on earth.” Her elder sisters, Pauline and Marie, took over the task of caring for her.
St. Thérèse made her first confession between the end of 1879 and the beginning of 1880, at St. Pierre’s Cathedral in Lisieux.
At Lisieux, Thérèse continued her studies at the Benedictine Abbey School for Notre Dame Du Pre. She proved to be a very capable student but she was also a very lonely and reserved child.
In October, her elder sister Pauline entered Carmel, a contemplative order of nuns. She was devastated to have lost her “second mother” but even before Pauline decided to leave for Carmel, St. Thérèse already knew that she was meant for the same vocation as her sister’s.
She expressed her desire to enter the contemplative life, but the Bishop of Bayeux and the Carmelite authorities did not allow her because of her young age.
Her family sought the Holy Mother’s intercession for St. Thérèse’s intentions by sending money to offer masses at the Shrine of Our Lady of Victories in Paris.
Because the Holy Mother smiled at St. Thérèse, she is now also known as Our Lady of the Smile.
She shared that with God’s grace she overcame her internal battles as well as her struggle with the loss of her mother.
Years later, she would say of the event, “On that blessed night…Jesus, who saw it fit to make Himself a child out of love for me, saw it fit to have me come forth from the swaddling clothes and imperfections of childhood.”
St. Thérèse believed the story of the little flower was also her own.
The Pope upheld the decision of the Bishop and the Carmel authorities for St. Thérèse to wait for the right time but he was impressed by her devotion.
Soon after, the Bishop of Bayeux authorized the prioress to receive St. Thérèse. On April 9, 1888, she became a Carmelite postulant.
On January 10, St. Thérèse was given the Carmelite habit. She then took on the name “Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.” By contemplating the sufferings associated with the Holy Face of Christ, St. Thérèse felt she could become closer to Him.
Therese’s father Louis, died.
She wrote the first manuscript of the book as a family souvenir and birthday gift to her sister Pauline, who at that time was Carmel’s Prioress, Mother Agnes of Jesus. The second manuscript was written on her last retreat and contained her doctrine of the Little Way. This part was a gift for her sister and Carmelite nun, Marie. The third and final manuscript was written under the directive of Mother Marie de Gonzague to document the details of her religious life as a Carmelite, in order to be included in her obituary.
By this time, St. Thérèse’s health was steadily declining but she bore all pain and discomfort without complaint. After observing a rigorous Lenten fast, she found blood on her handkerchief on Black Saturday and realized that she had Tuberculosis.
She was supposed to join the Carmelite mission in French Indochina but could no longer travel because of her sickness.
On September 30, she died at the young age of 24.
The Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse’s memoir, was published posthumously on September 30, 1898. Her sister Pauline, who is known religiously as Mother Agnes of Jesus, edited the original manuscript.
Some biographies of Edith Piaf, a beloved French singer, state that in 1922, as an unknown seven-year-old, she was cured from blindness after a pilgrimage to Lisieux.
Pope Benedict XV pronounced St. Thérèse a “venerable servant of God.”
St. Thérèse is canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925, only 28 years after her death.
On October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II proclaimed St. Thérèse a “Doctor of the Church.” She is one of only three women so named. The others are Teresa of Avila and Catherine of Siena.
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus remains the focus of ardent devotion among many Catholics. Her relics have toured the world, including the Philippines, and thousands of pilgrims have thronged to pray in their presence.
Her life and spirituality continue to inspire countless souls.
Feast Day: October 1
Date of Birth: January 2, 1873
Birthplace: Alencon, France
Died: September 30, 1897
Age: 24
