Feast day October 1

Saint Theresa of Lisieux, (known as Therese in France} was born on January 2, 1873 in Alencon, France. She was the last of nine children and the youngest of five sisters, all five of whom became nuns. Motivated by a deep love for God,she entered the Carmelite cloistered convent in Lisieux at the age of 15.

The greatest hallmark of Saint Therese's life is her idea of "The Little Way". She believed that, although she could not do great things for God, such as building churches or serving as a missionary in foreign lands, she could do small acts of charity and kindness with great love. 

Saint Therese practiced this "Little Way" throughout her whole life, even in the midst of terrible suffering brought on by tuberculosis. Filled with the grace of God and longing for Heaven, Saint Therese died on September 30, 1897, at only 24 years of age. She was cannonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925, and delcared a "Doctor of the Church" (someone who teaches us the truths of the faith in a most profound and beautiful way} by Saint Pope John Paul II on October 19, 1997 while speaking at World Youth Day in Paris. She became the third woman of 3 doctors to be so recognized as "Doctor of the Church".

Louis and Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Therese, were beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2015. Their feast day is July 12.

May we follow after her example of a life lived in the love of God and love of others and so one day merit to stand with her in the halls of Heaven.