St. Thérèse of Lisieux: The Patroness of Missions and Her Little Way of Love

•Virgin 
•Feast day: October 1 
•1873-1897 

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, also known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux, was born on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France. From an early age, Thérèse exhibited a profound devotion to God. Her parents, Louis and Zélie Martin, were deeply religious, and both have since been canonized, emphasizing the sanctity that surrounded Thérèse from her birth. She grew up in a loving, faith-filled family, the youngest of nine children, though only five survived to adulthood.

A Christmas Eve Conversion

At the tender age of 14, St. Thérèse experienced a pivotal moment that she referred to as her “Christmas Eve conversion.” On December 24, 1886, Thérèse had a mystic experience that filled her heart with immense love and a sense of mission. It marked the beginning of her deepened commitment to serve God wholeheartedly. She later referred to this night as the moment she experienced the grace of complete conversion, freeing her from her childhood fears and allowing her to focus more on others.

Entering the Carmelite Monastery

Thérèse felt a strong call to join the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where two of her older sisters were already members. However, at only 15, she was too young according to the usual regulations. Demonstrating her determination, Thérèse sought special permission from the Bishop of Bayeux and even traveled to Rome with her father, Louis Martin, to appeal directly to Pope Leo XIII. 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.”

A Simple, Yet Profound Life Inside the Monastery

Inside the monastery, Thérèse did not perform grand gestures or extraordinary deeds that would set her apart. Instead, she focused on doing small things with immense love—a spiritual approach that would later become known as “The Little Way.” She believed that holiness could be found in the simplicity of everyday life, carried out with great love and humility. Thérèse’s spirituality was grounded in her conviction that any person could achieve sanctity by doing small, ordinary tasks with extraordinary love for God.

Her motto, “Love is repaid by love alone,” encapsulated her devotion and became her guide in everything she did. She took even the smallest trials and offered them up as sacrifices to God, seeing them as opportunities to grow closer to Jesus. Thérèse once said, “What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.” This simplicity and faithfulness inspired all those around her, making her an embodiment of love and humility.

Novice Mistress and Spiritual Teacher

In her role as a novice mistress at the Carmelite Monastery, Thérèse guided new entrants in understanding the essence of true humility and spiritual childhood. Her example demonstrated how one could live a life of total surrender and trust in God. Though she was young, her teachings reflected deep wisdom. She often spoke about how humility and childlike trust were crucial for anyone seeking union with God, echoing the words of Jesus: “Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

“The Story of a Soul”—Her Spiritual Legacy

Thérèse’s profound spirituality was later captured in her autobiography, The Story of a Soul. This spiritual biography has become a classic of Catholic literature, moving countless readers with its depth, simplicity, and heartfelt honesty. In it, Thérèse wrote, “I am a very little soul, who can only offer very little things to the Lord.” Her honesty about her imperfections and her insistence that God’s love is most easily accessible to those who are simple and humble resonate deeply with readers worldwide.

A Desire for Martyrdom and a Life of Sacrifice

Although Thérèse lived her entire religious life within the cloister of the monastery, she had a burning desire to be a missionary and even a martyr. She once said, “I wish at all costs to win the palm of St. Agnes. If it cannot be by blood it must be by love.” Thérèse offered her sufferings for the conversion of souls and for missionaries around the world. Despite never leaving Lisieux, her heart burned with a desire to spread the Gospel, making her an example of the power of prayer in missionary work.

Thérèse also experienced physical suffering during her life, particularly in her final years. In 1896, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which caused intense pain and eventually led to her death. During her illness, Thérèse continued to find solace in God’s love, even when faced with the darkness of spiritual dryness. She died on September 30, 1897, at the age of 24. Her last words were, “My God, I love You,” a fitting summary of her entire life.

Declared Patroness of Missions

Despite her short life, the impact of St. Thérèse was enormous. In 1925, Pope Pius XI canonized her, and two years later, she was declared Patroness of the Missions, along with St. Francis Xavier. This recognition acknowledged that the work of evangelization depends not only on the physical presence of missionaries but also on those who spiritually support them through prayer. Thérèse herself wrote, “I knew that the Church had a body composed of various members, and a heart inflamed with love. I knew that love drove the members of the Church to action, that if this love were extinguished, the apostles would have proclaimed the Gospel no longer, the martyrs would have shed their blood no more. O Jesus, at last I have found my place in the Church: my call is love.”

A Doctor of the Church

In 1997, a century after her death, Pope John Paul II declared St. Thérèse a Doctor of the Church, making her one of the youngest individuals ever to receive this title. She became only the third woman in history to be honored in this way, following St. Teresa of Ávila and St. Catherine of Siena. This recognition was a testament to her deep and influential spirituality, which emphasized trust in God and the value of love in everyday actions.

The “Little Flower” and Her Legacy

St. Thérèse of Lisieux is often affectionately called “The Little Flower,” a title inspired by her belief that she was like a small flower in the garden of God, living simply and loving without measure. She believed that, just as every flower in nature has its own unique beauty and fragrance, every person is loved uniquely by God. Her imagery of the “Little Flower” continues to inspire people today, encouraging them to see their unique role in God’s plan.

Thérèse’s relics have traveled around the world, inspiring millions of Catholics. Her influence transcends cultural and geographical boundaries, as people of all backgrounds are drawn to her “Little Way.” Her simplicity, love, and profound trust in God remind us that holiness is within reach of everyone, no matter their circumstances.

The Heart of a Missionary

St. Thérèse’s life and teachings remind us that the mission of the Church is not solely the domain of those who travel to foreign lands; it is a calling for all who dedicate themselves to love. Through her prayers, sacrifices, and simple yet profound acts of love, she fulfilled her role as the Patroness of Missions, touching the hearts of countless souls worldwide.

Her legacy endures, and she remains a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in the hiddenness of everyday life, extraordinary love can flourish. Her life invites us all to find our unique path to God, following her “Little Way”—a way of love, simplicity, and complete trust in God.