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St. Thérèse of Lisieux is one of the most remarkable saints in the history of the Catholic Church. Born and brought up in a devout Catholic middle-class family in 19th century France, Thérèse Martin entered the Carmel in Lisieux at the age of sixteen. There she remained hidden in the cloistered monastery until she died at a mere twenty-four years of age. Most of the nuns who had lived with Thérèse did not suspect her profound sanctity of life until after her death. She had lived the rule perfectly and had served as novice mistress despite her youth, but little else seemed to suggest to the nuns that a spiritual genius had lived in the Lisieux Carmel.

Yet within a few years of her death, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face had begun to become well known throughout the world because of the popularity of her spiritual Autobiography and the many favors received through her intercession. In less than thirty years after her death, Pope Pius XI canonized her before a huge throng of her devotees in St. Peter’s Basilica. She has been declared Co-Patroness of the Missions and Co-Patroness of France. On October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II declared St. Thérèse—who had never studied at the university or formal theology, and had died in her youth—to be a Doctor of the Church.

The best way to begin to become acquainted with St. Thérèse and her spiritual doctrine of the Little Way is to read her spiritual autobiography, Story of a Soul. However, St. Thérèse—Doctor of the Little Way serves as a good introduction to the Little Flower (as she called herself in one passage)—shedding light, or better, reflecting the light shining forth from her life and thought. This compilation contains many articles and excerpts from Thérèse herself, His Holiness John Paul II, His Excellency Guy Gaucher, O.C.D., Fr. Hardon, S.J., Mother Agnes, O.C.D. (Thérèse’s sister Pauline), Sr. Marie of the Trinity, O.C.D. (a novice under St. Thérèse), Fr. Piat, O.F.M., Msgr. Vernon Johnson, and many others.

In these articles we see glimpses of her family life, her strong faith in the midst of trials, her love of the Cross, her fervent charity, her great love for priests and for souls, her tender devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, her mastery of the Bible, and details about her Little Way.

Here are some of the Little Doctor’s own words:

My ‘little way’ is the way of spiritual childhood, the way of trust and absolute self-surrender.

People must not think that our ‘little way’ is a restful one, full of sweetness and consolation. It’s quite the opposite. To offer oneself as a victim to love is to offer oneself to suffering, because love lives only on sacrifice; if one is completely dedicated to loving, one must expect to be sacrificed unreservedly.

"Even if I had done everything Saint Paul did, I would still think myself a "useless servant," but it is precisely this that makes me happy for since I have nothing, God will give me everything."

John Paul II, when declaring St. Thérèse a Doctor of the Church, said: "Thérèse’s teaching, a veritable science of love, is the luminous expression of her understanding of the Mystery of Christ, and her personal response to grace."

St. Thérèse’s life and writings radiate the pure essence of the Gospel. She strongly believed (as did her sisters after her death) that her mission consisted in making known her doctrine of the Little Way, which she said Our Lord had taught her. Now that she is a Doctor of the Church—her greatness, her originality, her spiritual genius, may gain greater recognition, aiding the propagation of her Little Way throughout the world to legions of little souls.

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(© Copyright 1998, As translated into HTML for Catholic Information Center on Internet by Jill Gooler 9/19/98)