Thérèse of Lisieux

For other women with similar names, see Saint Teresa

Saint Thérèse de Lisieux (January 2, 1873 – September 30, 1897), or more properly Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant-Jésus et de la Sainte Face ("Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face"), born Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin, was a Roman Catholic nun who was canonized as a saint, and is recognized as a Doctor of the Church. She is also known by many as "The Little Flower of Jesus."

Saint Thérèse de Lisieux
Saint Thérèse at age 15, before entering the Carmelite order
The Little Flower of Jesus
Born	January 2, 1873 in Alençon, France
Died	September 30, 1897 in Lisieux, France
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Beatified	April 29, 1923 by Pope Pius XI
Canonized	May 17, 1925 by Pope Pius XI
Major shrine	Basilique de Sainte-Thérèse , Lisieux, France
Feast	October 1
Attributes	flowers
Patronage	AIDS sufferers; Anchorage, Alaska; Australia; aviators; bodily ills; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Fairbanks, Alaska; Fresno, California; Juneau, Alaska; Pueblo, Colorado; florists; France; illness; Kisumu, Kenya; loss of parents; missionaries; Russia; tuberculosis; Witbank, South Africa

Early life

St. Thérèse de Lisieux was born in Alençon, France, the daughter of Louis Martin, a watchmaker, and Zélie-Marie Guérin, a lacemaker. Both her parents were very religious. Louis had attempted to become a monk, but a lack of knowledge of Latin hindered him. Zélie-Marie had tried to become a nun, but was told she didn't have the vocation. Instead, she vowed that if she married, she would give all her children to the church. Louis and Zélie-Marie met in 1858 and married only three months later. They had nine children, of whom only five daughters — Marie, Pauline, Léonie, Céline and Thérèse — survived to adulthood. Thérèse was their youngest child.

Her mother died of breast cancer in 1877, when Thérèse was only four years old, and her father sold his business and moved to Lisieux, in the Calvados region of Normandy, where Zelie's brother Isidore Guérin, a pharmacist, lived with his wife and two daughters.

When Thérèse was nine years old, her sister Pauline, who had acted as a "second mother" to Thérèse, entered the Carmelite order of nuns. Thérèse too wanted to enter the Carmelite order, but was told she was too young. At 15, after her sister Marie also entered the same Carmelite convent, Thérèse renewed her attempts to join the order, but the priest-superior of the monastery would not allow this on account of her youth. Her father took Thérèse on a pilgrimage to Rome. During a general audience with Pope Leo XIII, she asked him to allow her to enter the Carmelite order, but the Pope said "Well, my child, do what the superiors decide."

Shortly thereafter, the Bishop of Bayeux authorized the prioress to receive Therese, and in April 1888 she became a Carmelite nun. In 1889 her father suffered a stroke and was taken to a private sanatorium, where he remained for three years. He returned to Lisieux in 1892, and died in 1894. Upon his death, her sister Céline, who had been caring for their father, entered the same Carmelite monastery that her three sisters were already in; her cousin, Marie Guérin, entered in 1895. Léonie, after several failed attempts, became Sister Francoise-Therese, a nun in the Order of the Visitation.

The Little Way

Thérèse is known for her "Little Way." In her quest for sanctity, she realized that it was not necessary to accomplish heroic acts or "great deeds" in order to attain holiness and to express her love of God. She wrote,

"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."

This "Little Way" also appeared in her approach to spirituality:

"Sometimes, when I read spiritual treatises, in which perfection is shown with a thousand obstacles in the way and a host of illusions round about it, my poor little mind soon grows weary, I close the learned book, which leaves my head splitting and my heart parched, and I take the Holy Scriptures. Then all seems luminous, a single word opens up infinite horizons to my soul, perfection seems easy; I see that it is enough to realize one's nothingness, and give oneself wholly, like a child, into the arms of the good God. Leaving to great souls, great minds, the fine books I cannot understand, I rejoice to be little because 'only children, and those who are like them, will be admitted to the heavenly banquet'."

Passages like this have also left Therese open to the charge that hers is an overly sentimental and even childish spirituality. Her proponents counter that she sought to develop an approach to the spiritual life that was understandable and imitable by all who chose to do so, regardless of their level of sophistication or education.

This is evident in her approach to prayer:

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy; in a word, something noble, supernatural, which enlarges my soul and unites it to God.... I have not the courage to look through books for beautiful prayers.... I do as a child who has not learned to read, I just tell our Lord all that I want and he understands."

Declining health and death

Funerary monument in the Church of Saint Francis, in Évora (Portugal)

Thérèse's final years were marked by a steady decline that she bore resolutely and without complaint. On the morning of Good Friday, 1896, she began bleeding at the mouth due to a pulmonary hæmoptysis; her tuberculosis had taken a decided turn for the worse. Thérèse corresponded with a Carmelite mission in what was then French Indochina, and was invited to join them, but because of her sickness, she could not travel there. In July 1897 she was moved to the monastery infirmary, where she died on September 30, 1897, at age 24. On her death-bed, she is reported to have said "I have reached the point of not being able to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me."

Autobiography

Thérèse de Lisieux

St. Thérèse is known today because of her spiritual autobiography, L'histoire d'une âme ("The Story of a Soul"), which she wrote upon the orders of two prioresses of her monastery. She began the work in 1895 as a memoir of her childhood, under orders from her sister Pauline, known in religion as Mother Agnes of Jesus. Mother Agnes gave the order, after being prompted by their eldest sister, Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart. A second part, a letter to Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart, was written while Thérèse was on a retreat in September 1896. When the seriousness of her condition became obvious in June 1897, Mother Marie de Gonzague, who succeeded Mother Agnes as prioress, gave permission for Thérèse to finish her work. It was published posthumously, and was heavily edited by her sister Pauline. (Aside from considerations of style, Mother Marie de Gonzague had ordered Pauline to alter the first two sections of the manuscript to make them appear as if they were addressed to Mother Marie as well.) It became a religious best-seller on account of its appealing style, and on account of Therese's trust in God despite her sufferings. Since 1973, two centenary editions of Therese's writings, including "Story of a Soul," her letters, poems, prayers, and the plays she wrote for the monastery recreations have been published.

Poems

Thérèse wrote many poems all revealing her gratitude in her chosen life of faith. Most of her poems ended with "I live of Love!' reflecting the rapture she experienced in her love of Christ.

To live of love, it is to know no fear; No memory of past faults can I recall; No imprint of my sins remaineth here; The fire of Love divine effaces all. O sacred flames! O furnace of delight! I sing my safe sweet happiness to prove. In these mild fires I dwell by , day by night. I live of love!

Recognition

In 1902, the Polish Carmelite Father Raphael Kalinowski (later Saint Raphael Kalinowski) translated her autobiography "Story of a Soul" into Polish.

Pope Pius X signed the decree for the opening of her process of canonization on June 10, 1914. Pope Benedict XV, in order to hasten the process, dispensed with the usual fifty-year delay required between death and beatification. Therese was beatified in April 1923 and canonized on May 17, 1925 by Pope Pius XI, only 28 years after her death. Her feast day was celebrated on October 3 until the calendar revision of 1970, when it was moved to October 1.

Thérèse of Lisieux is the patron saint of AIDS sufferers, aviators, florists, illness, and missions. She is also considered by Catholics to be the patron saint of Russia, although the Russian Orthodox Church officially recognizes neither her canonization nor her patronage. In 1927 Pope Pius XI named St. Therese a patron of the missions. In 1944 Pope Pius XII named her co-patroness of France with St. Joan of Arc.

By the Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia ("The Science of Divine Love") of October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II declared her one of the thirty-three Doctors of the Universal Church, one of only three women so named (the others being Teresa of Avila (Saint Teresa of Jesus) and Catherine of Siena). Saint Thérèse was the only saint to be given recognition as a Doctor of the Church during Pope John Paul II's pontificate.

A movement is under way now to canonize her parents, who were declared "Venerable" in 1994 by Pope John Paul II. In 2004 the Archbishop of Milan accepted the unexpected cure of a child with a lung disorder as attributable to their intercession. A date for the beatification of Louis Martin and Zelie Guerin, however, has not yet been set. Some interest has also been shown towards promoting for sainthood Therese's sister, Leonie, the only one of the five sisters who did not become a Carmelite nun. Leonie Martin, in religion Sister Francoise-Therese, died in Caen in 1941, where her tomb in the crypt of the Visitation Monastery can be visited by the public.

Together with St. Francis of Assisi, St. Therese of Lisieux is perhaps the most popular Catholic saint since Apostolic times. As a Doctor of the Church, she is the subject of much theological comment and study and, as an appealing young girl whose message has touched the life of millions, she remains the focus of much popular devotion.

Her autobiography has inspired many people, including the Italian writer Maria Valtorta.

Parishes and Schools

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower This Roman Catholic church, located in San Antonio, Texas, USA, is dedicated to Ste. Thérèse de Lisieux of the Child Jesus, and bears her nickname, "The Little Flower" of Jesus. Its remarkable edifice and accompanying works of religious art are uniquely uncharacteristic of its relatively recent construction. It is also distinguished as one of only a handful of church buildings in North America (and one of only three in the state of Texas) bearing the papal designation of "minor basilica."

The Basilica is a treasury of art, master craftsmanship and relics. The Discalced Carmelite Friars began serving the surrounding parish community in San Antonio in the late 1920's. The Basilica was constructed during the Great Depression (1929-1931) and today stands as a monument to the great faith of devotees of Ste. Thérèse from throughout the United States and world. Currently the Basilica is undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration campaign to restore this beautiful spiritual and historic landmark to its original splendor and glory. Perhaps the most treasured work of art at the basilica is a painting of Ste. Thérèse created by the saint's own natural blood sister, Céline (Sr. Geneviève of the Holy Face). This very painting was used in the canonization ceremony for Ste. Thérèse in Rome in 1927. It is 7 ft wide by 10 ft tall, and is located in the baptistery in the vestibule of the church. This painting was part of the procession at the saint's canonization.

Now that the National Shrine of the Little Flower has been joined to the ranks of a minor basilica, the church's ecclesiastical throne has become, symbolically, a papal throne. The throne is original to the Basilica and has been used by various visiting prelates for over 70 years. Most recently it has been used by the Archbishop and auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of San Antonio during special liturgies, such as feast day Masses and ordinations at the Basilica.

The church is located at 906 Kentucky Ave., San Antonio, TX 78201, USA. For information call: (210) 735-9126.

In 1925 the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart founded Saint Theresa Catholic School in Coral Gables [1]. The school is part of the Church of Little Flower Parrish in the Archidiocese of Miami [2].

In 1939, Cardinal Dougherty built a high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in honor of St Therese - Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls.

In 2000 the Saint Therese of Lisieux primary school was opened in the Ingleby Barwick parish of the same name in the diocese of Middlesbrough, England.

There is a Parish and Catholic school known as St. Therese of Lisieux Elementary and Junior High School in New Jersey.

There is a St. Therese of the Infant Jesus Catholic Church, school and parish in Indianapolis, IN.

There is a St. Thérèse de Lisieux Catholic Church in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The church is located at 61 Mill Street.

There is a Church of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) St Theresa's Convent in Singapore in which St. Therese is the patron saint.

The National Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Church, in Royal Oak, Michigan, was built in 1925 in honor of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the church - originally located in a largely Protestant area - was burned down by the Klu Klux Klan in 1936. Rebuilt out of copper and stone, a dramatic stone tower displays a cross bearing a figure of Jesus, 28 feet (8.5 m) high. On the surrounding wall is a carved portrait of Saint Therese of Lisieux (who was also known as the Little Flower). The Church has been declared a national Shrine, a distinction given to only a few churches in the United States.

The National Shrine of St. Therese, 8501 Bailey Rd., (Intersection of Cass Ave. North & I-55, Exit 273B) Darien, Illinois 60561, 630-969-3311. The Shrine is home to the most wonderful collection of relics, personal effects and memorabilia of Therese outside of France. Visitors are fascinated by viewing actual drawings by the young Therese, her toys, her prayerbook. An especially treasured piece is the chair from Therese's cell in the convent at Lisieux. The beauty and majesty of the St. Therese Chapel captivates visitors to the Shrine. Covering an entire wall in the chapel is the largest religious wood carving in the United States. The carving depicts events in the life of Therese, it was hand carved in Italy of lindenwood. Beneath the mural is an antique reliquary made in France containing five first class relics in cases made in the form of roses. Visitors are welcome every day from 10:00am to 4:00pm when the Chapel, Museum and Gift Shop are open to the public. Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 11:30am in the Chapel. Group Tours are available and must be arranged ahead of time. The Shrine is closed on Holidays.

Quotations

I am a very little soul, who can offer only very little things to the Lord.

I will spend my Heaven doing good on earth.

After my death I will let fall a shower of roses.

I feel in me the vocation of the priest. With what love, O Jesus, I would take You in my hands when, at my voice, You would come down from heaven. And with what love would I give You to souls! But alas! while desiring to be a Priest, I admire and envy the humility of St. Francis of Assisi and I feel the vocation of imitating him in refusing the sublime dignity of the Priesthood.

O Jesus, my Love, my vocation, at last I have found it ... my vocation is Love! Yes, I have found my place in the Church and it is You, O my God, who have given me this place; in the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be love.

Everything is a grace, everything is the direct effect of our father's love - difficulties, contradictions, humiliations, all the soul's miseries, her burdens, her needs - everything, because through them, she learns humility, realizes her weakness - Everything is a grace because everything is God's gift. Whatever be the character of life or its unexpected events - to the heart that loves, all is well.

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Du Coeur de Jesus D'Elbee, Jean. I believe in Love: A Personal Retreat based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux. Sophia Institute Press, 2001. ISBN 978-1928832287
• Martin, Therese (of Lisieux), T.N. Taylor, ed. The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme): The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux. Echo Library, 2006. ISBN 978-1406807714
• Nevin, Thomas R. Therese of Lisieux: God's Gentle Warrior. Oxford University Press, USA, 2006. ISBN 978-0195307214
• Schmidt, Joseph F. Everything is Grace; The Life and Way of Therese of Lisieux. Word Among Us Press, 2007. ISBN 978-1593250959

External links

• Sanctuary of Lisieux. therese-de-lisieux.cef.fr. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• ICS Institute of Carmelite Studies. www.icspublications.org. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• The Shrine of St. Therese, Pueblo, Colorado. www.puebloshrine.org. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• Official Film on the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. www.theresemovie.com. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• Poems of St Thérèse of Lisieux. www.ccel.org. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• Pope John Paul II's porclaims St. Therese a Doctor in the Church, 10.19.1997. www.ewtn.com. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• Catholic Encyclopedia article. www.newadvent.org. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• Project Gutenberg article. www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved September 2, 2007.
• Images of St. Thérèse de Lisieux at The Catholic Community Forum. www.catholic-forum.com. Retrieved September 2, 2007.

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