Biography
Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin was born the youngest of five daughters in Alençon, France. Her mother died when Thérèse was four. She entered the Carmel of Lisieux at age 15, after a special papal audience with Pope Leo XIII to obtain permission. She died of tuberculosis at age 24. Her autobiography, Story of a Soul, written under obedience, became one of the bestselling Catholic books of all time. Her 'Little Way' — doing small things with great love — was not spiritual minimalism but a radical surrender to God's merciful love. She promised: 'I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses.' Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church in 1997.
Miracles & Signs
- ✦Miraculous cure of Bl. Anne of Jesus (witnessed by Sister Agnès)
- ✦Thousands of reported cures through her intercession worldwide after her death
- ✦The 'shower of roses' — fragrance of roses reported at her beatification
Wisdom & Quotes
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word.”
“You cannot be half a saint; you must be a whole saint or no saint at all.”
“After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses.”
“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.”
“Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude.”