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• Our Patroness

  St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), also known as "The Little Flower of Jesus," was a French
  Carmelite nun whose life and spiritual writings have inspired millions. Born Marie Françoise-
  Thérèse Martin in Alençon, France, she was the youngest of nine children in a deeply devout
  Catholic family. Her parents, Louis and Zélie Martin, were canonized as saints in 2015.
  At the age of four, Thérèse suffered the loss of her mother, which profoundly affected her. The
  family moved to Lisieux, where she grew close to her sisters and developed a deep desire for
  holiness. After experiencing a spiritual conversion at the age of 14, she petitioned to join the
  Carmelite convent at Lisieux. Despite her youth, her determination led her to seek permission
  from the Pope himself, and she entered the convent at 15.
  
  Thérèse embraced a "little way" of spirituality, focusing on humility, simplicity, and trust in
  God's love. She sought holiness in the ordinary acts of daily life, believing that even the smallest
  actions, performed with love, could glorify God.
  
  Despite her short life, Thérèse wrote her autobiography, Story of a Soul, which has become a
  spiritual classic. In it, she describes her "little way" and her profound trust in God's mercy.
  Thérèse died of tuberculosis at 24, leaving behind a legacy of profound faith. Canonized in 1925,
  she was later declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II, recognizing her
  theological contributions. Her feast day is celebrated on October 1, and she is the patron saint of
  missions, florists, and those seeking God's love in simple ways.