THE STORY OF THE SAINTS - BY FATHER ED

St. Therese (1873-1897) St. Therese was born Marie Francoise Martin in Alencon, France on January 2, 1873, the youngest of nine children. Her mother died when she was five. Two of her sisters became Carmelite nuns and she wanted to follow in their footsteps. She was refused at first, but was admitted in 1889 at the age of sixteeen. She developed tuberculosis and bore her illness with great patience and courage. By order of the prioress, Mother Agnes (who was her sister, Pauline), she began to write the story of her childhood and later another story of her life in the convent. Both stories were combined to form The Story of a Soul, which became one of the most widely read spiritual autobiographies. Therese died on September 30, 1897, attracting a worldwide following who referred to her as "The Little Flower of Jesus". She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and was declared Co-Patron of the Missions with St. Francis Xavier in 1927. Hers was a short and hidden life, but by the grace of God, she accomplished more than very "active" and "public" figures. Her intense love for God and the Church explains it all.

Novena Prayer to St. Therese of Lisieux

O Little Therese of the Child Jesus,

please pick me a rose from the heavenly gardens

and send it to me with a message of love.

Ask God to grant the favor I implore...(Mention specific request)

and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more.