Patroness of Catholic Missions

Some photos of Saint Therese of Lisieux

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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!"

 


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Saint Therese of Lisieux, Teresa, Little Way, Little Flower, Patroness of Catholic Missions

Xaverian Missionaries USA

“Make of the World One Family”