SAINT FEAST DAY 1 OCTOBER: ST THERESE OF LISIEUX

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN OCTOBER

Saints celebrated on the 1st of October

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SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

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Saint Therese of the Child Jesus ["The Little Flower"] was born in Alencon, France, of respectable and pious parents. Her mother died when Therese was five years old. At this time, Therese committed herself wholly to Divine Providence under the vigilant care of a most tender father and elder sisters. Under such teachers, she rejoiced as a giant in her race along the way of perfection.

ALONG THE WAY OF PERFECTION

At the age of nine, she was sent to the Benedictine nuns at Lisieux to be educated. In her tenth year, she was tormented for a long time by a serious and mysterious malady, and was divinely delivered from it through the assistance of Our Lady of Victory. Filled with angelic fervour when receiving her First Holy Communion, she seemed to develop an insatiable hunger for this celestial food.

SHE WAS ADMITTED TO THE ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITES

Desiring to enter the Order of the Discalced Carmelites but, not being the proper age, she met with many obstacles in embracing the religious life. She courageously overcame these difficulties and was happily admitted to the Carmel at Lisieux at the age of fifteen. There she burned with extraordinary love for God and her neighbour.

THE "LITTLE WAY"

Following the way of spiritual childhood according to the teaching of the Gospel, she taught it to others, especially to the novices. Consumed with the same love, two years before her death, she offered herself as a victim of love to the merciful God. She passed on to her Spouse on September 30, 1897, at the age of 24 years. Pope Pius XI added her name to the virgins declared blessed and, two years later, at the time of the great Jubilee, 1925, solemnly listed her among the saints. He also appointed and declared her the special patroness of all the missions.

PRAYER:

O Lord, who said: “Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,” grant us, we beseech you, so to follow the footsteps of blessed Therese, the Virgin, in humility and simplicity of heart that we may obtain everlasting rewards. Who live…

(From: An Approved English Translation of the Breviarium Romanum, Burns & Oates, London, 1964)