Patroness of Catholic Missions
Some photos of Saint Therese of Lisieux
Thérèse Martin was the last of nine
children born to Louis and Zelie Martin on Jan. 2, 1873, in Alençon, France.
However, only five of these children lived to reach adulthood. Precocious and
sensitive, Therese needed much attention. Her mother died when she was 4 years
old.
At the age of 14, on Christmas Eve,
in 1886, Thérèse had a conversion that transformed her life. From then on, her
powerful energy and sensitive spirit were turned toward love, instead of keeping
herself happy. At 15, she entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux to give her
who life to God. She took the religious name Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus
and the Holy Face. Living a hidden, simple life of prayer, she was gifted with
great intimacy with God.
Through sickness and dark nights of doubt and fear, she remained faithful to
God, rooted in his merciful love. After a long struggle with tuberculosis, she
died on Sept. 30, 1897, at the age of 24. Her last words were the story of her
life: "My God, I Love You!"