Saint Theresa of Lisieux Prayers

Added : Tue 28 Jul 2020 PM | Updated : Sun 23 Apr 2023 PM

Considered the greatest saint of the 20th century, Saint Therese of Lisieux (from her family name Therese Martin), was born on 2 January 1873 in Alençon (Orne) in France. She died at the age of 24, on 30 September 1897 in Lisieux (Calvados), France.

After the death of Thérèse Martin's mother when she was 4 years old, her father, Louis Martin, moved to Lisieux in 1877 to the house of Les Buissonnets where Thérèse spent her childhood.

Thérèse entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux in 1889 at the age of 15 and, despite her extreme youth, reached the heights of the mystical life. Out of obedience, at the behest of her superior, she wrote down her memories in which she inserted her doctrine.
 

Therese thus recounted the stages of this ascent in her "History of a Soul", revealing, at the same time as the ardour of her faith, an astonishing knowledge of the scriptures and theology. This book, published one year after his death, has been translated into more than 60 languages. Thanks to it, the whole world discovered the great qualities of his character and the mystery of his inner life with God.

In this book, the "little way" of St. Therese teaches us how to achieve and attain holiness in daily life, not through extraordinary acts but through the monotony of small sacrifices offered to God for love.

Therese died at the age of 24, on 30 September 1897, of tuberculosis, in the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where she had entered at the age of 15. Her tomb attracted the faithful and miraculous events were soon attributed to her intercession.

After a regular trial in the Court of Rome, Therese Martin was beatified on 29 April 1923. Her remains were exhumed from the cemetery where they had lain for 26 years and brought back to the Carmel of Lisieux.

In 1925, she was recognised as a saint by Pope Pius XI under the name of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, and two years later, proclaimed Patroness of the Missions. Since 1944, Saint Theresa has been the Secondary Patroness of France.

In 1997, on the centenary of her death, Pope John Paul II declared Saint Therese a Doctor of the Church.