Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

**"S. Theresiae a Jesu Infante Virginis"** refers to **Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus**, also known as **Saint Thérèse of Lisieux** or **"The Little Flower of Jesus"**³. She was a French Catholic Discalced Carmelite nun who is widely venerated in modern times. Her feast day is celebrated on **October 3rd**.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, also known as **Saint Thérèse of Lisieux** or **"The Little Flower of Jesus"**, was born as **Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin** on **January 2, 1873**, in **Alençon, France**¹². She was the youngest of nine children in a deeply religious family, though only five survived to adulthood.

From an early age, Thérèse exhibited a profound devotion to God. At the age of 14, she experienced a pivotal moment she referred to as her **“Christmas Eve conversion”** on **December 24, 1886**. This mystic experience filled her heart with immense love and a sense of mission, marking the beginning of her deepened commitment to serve God wholeheartedly.

Thérèse felt a strong call to join the **Carmelite convent in Lisieux**, where two of her older sisters were already members. At only 15, she sought special permission from the Bishop of Bayeux and even traveled to Rome with her father to appeal directly to **Pope Leo XIII**¹. The Holy Father granted her permission, and in **1888**, she entered the Carmelite Monastery of Lisieux, taking the religious name **“Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face”**.

Inside the monastery, Thérèse focused on doing small things with immense love—a spiritual approach that would later become known as **“The Little Way”**¹. She believed that holiness could be found in the simplicity of everyday life, carried out with great love and humility¹. Her motto, **“Love is repaid by love alone,”** encapsulated her devotion and became her guide in everything she did.

Thérèse's spirituality was grounded in her conviction that any person could achieve sanctity by doing small, ordinary tasks with extraordinary love for God. She once said, **“What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love”**¹. This simplicity and faithfulness inspired all those around her, making her an embodiment of love and humility.

Thérèse died at the age of **24** from **tuberculosis** on **September 30, 1897**. After her death, she became known globally through her spiritual memoir, **"The Story of a Soul"**, which explains her theology of the **"Little Way"**. She was canonized by **Pope Pius XI** on **May 17, 1925** and is venerated as a **Doctor of the Church**. Her feast day is celebrated on **October 1st**.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is the patroness of **missions and missionaries**, **France**, **Russian Catholics**, **those suffering from terminal illness or tuberculosis**, **florists and gardeners**, **orphaned children**, **those who are homeless**, and **aviators**.

¹: [Catholic Heroes](^1^)
²: [Wikipedia](^2^)
³: [Catholics Striving for Holiness](^3^)

(1) St. Thérèse of Lisieux: The Patroness of Missions and Her Little Way of .... https://thecatholicheroes.com/history-biographies/st-therese-of-lisieux-the-patroness-of-missions-and-her-little-way-of-love/.
(2) Thérèse of Lisieux - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se_of_Lisieux.
(3) Oct. 1. ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.. https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.org/st-therese-of-the-child-jesus/.
(4) St. Thérèse of Lisieux: The Patroness of Missions and Her Little Way of .... https://thecatholicheroes.com/history-biographies/st-therese-of-lisieux-the-patroness-of-missions-and-her-little-way-of-love/.
(5) Thérèse of Lisieux - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se_of_Lisieux.
(6) Oct. 1. ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.. https://catholicsstrivingforholiness.org/st-therese-of-the-child-jesus/.
(7) Saint Therese of the Child Jesus: A Brief Insight into Her Life and .... https://avepray.com/saints/saint-therese-of-the-child-jesus/.