Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897)

Roman Catholic Saint. Carmelite Nun and patron Saint of the missions. She is also known as Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, Saint Therese, and The Little Flower of Jesus. Born in Alençon, France to a religious middle class family upon her mother's death at the age of 4 moved to Lisieux, France. At the age of 15 she attempted to join the Carmelite monastery at Lisieux but was not allowed by the priest-superior of the monastery on account of her youth, she then went to the Bishop and when he said no, she decided to go over his head. During a pilgrimage to Rome she begged Pope Leo XIII to allow her to enter the Carmelite monastery at age 15, but the Pope said: "Well, my child, do what the superiors decide." Not very long after, the Vicar General was very impressed by her strong will and courage, he authorized her entry to the monastery and in April 1888 she became a nun. Declining in health throughout the years without a single complaint with tuberculosis she died at the age of 24. She is most known today because of her autobiography "The Story of a Soul" which she wrote for the prioresses of her monastery which was published after her death. There are a many miracles attributed to her and her original grave site at Lisieux Communal Cemetery. She was moved to the Carmelite Chapel on March 26, 1923. Saint Thérèse was canonized on May 17, 1925 by Pope Pius XI and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II. Her feast day is October 1st.

Bio by: ahley