Thérèse de Lisieux
1873-1897 19th century Feast day: October 1
Love as vocation. Sanctity at the height of a child.
Who was Thérèse de Lisieux?
Norman Carmelite, entered the Carmel at 15, died at 24 of tuberculosis after eighteen months of suffering. Author of Story of a Soul, written out of obedience to her prioress and published after her death. Universal patron of missions without ever leaving her cloister. Doctor of the Church. Inventor of the "little way" of spiritual childhood: becoming a saint without great means, through small gestures.
In their own words
My vocation is love.
I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth.