51ºÚÁÏ

Theresa of Lisieux, born Marie Francoise-Therese Martin, was a French Discalced Carmelite who is widely venerated in modern times.

Therese de I’Enfant Jesus et de la Sainte Face
Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face in English

She is popularly known as
la petite Therese
The Little Flower of Jesus*. or simply* Little Flower.* in English

She was the youngest daughter of a watchmaker. Her mother died when she was only 5 years old and was brought up by her elder sisters and aunts. She longed to join 2 of her elder sisters who had become nuns. In the spring of 1888, aged 15, she was allowed to enter the Carmel convent.

In 1895 she suffered a haermorrhage, symptomatic of tuberculosis which proved fatal. Theresa died on 30th September 1897 aged just 24, from TB…

After 9 years as a Carmelite nun she had filled various offices - sacristan and assistant to the novice mistress.
She was encouraged out of obedience to her superior , Mother Agnes of Jesus ( her religious superior and sister, Pauline) to write her autobiography before she died.

The autobiography is called The Story of a Soul.
It is a spiritual classic and is one of the most beautiful autobiographies ever written. It reveals her deep love of God and draws the reader into the beautiful workings of grace within her soul.

During her lifetime she was obscure. The book made her famous.

As a result of her immense popularity and reputation for holiness
Pope Pius X called her the greatest saint of modern times
Beautified on 29th April 1923 by Pope Pius X1
Canonized on 17th May 1925 by Pope Pius X1

Declared Doctor of the church by Pope John Paul 11 in 1997

Her feast day is now October 1st (since 1969)

Her major shrine Basilica of St. Therese, Lisieux, France is second most popular place of pilgrimage in France.

Sources
Wikipedia
The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton