Saint Theresa was born on January 2, 1873. Her father was Louis Martin, a watchmaker of Alencon, and her mother Azélie-Marie Guérin.  Her parents were devout Catholics and had five daughters.  She had a happy childhood. Her mother died when she was five years of age.

She entered the religious order of Carmelite on April 9, 1888 at the age of 15.  She made her profession in 1890 and was given the name Theresa of the Child Jesus.  She came down with tuberculosis, which eventually took her life at the age of 24.  

Saint Theresa was canonized (made a saint) in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and was declared patroness of foreign missions together with, St. Francis Xavier, in 1927.  Pope Pius XIII declared her, Protectoress of France together with Saint Joan of Arc. In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared Saint Theresa to be the “Doctor of the Church”. Her “Little way” appeared to make God accessible to people as a God of love and mercy. Generations have admired this young saint, called her the Little flower, and found in her short life more inspiration for their lives. Her life is a reminder to all of us that love means everything.