- 30 September, 2026
October 1, 2026: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, popularly known as the Little Flower, is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. Though she lived only 24 years and spent most of her life in a quiet Carmelite convent, her simple spirituality has touched millions of people around the world. Her feast is celebrated on October 1.
Feast Day: October 1
Born: January 2, 1873, Alençon, France
Died: September 30, 1897, Lisieux, France
Religious Name: Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
Known As: The Little Flower
Title: Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Known For: The “Little Way” of spiritual childhood and trust in God
Patroness: Missions and missionaries; also associated with France
Thérèse Martin was born in Alençon, France, to Louis and Zélie Martin, a deeply religious couple. She was the youngest of their five daughters who survived childhood, and all five eventually embraced religious life. After her mother's death in 1877, the family moved to Lisieux, where Thérèse would spend most of her life.
From an early age, Thérèse felt drawn towards the consecrated life. She particularly desired to enter the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux, where two of her sisters had already become nuns.
At the age of fourteen, Thérèse travelled to Italy with her father and joined a pilgrimage to Rome. During an audience with Pope Leo XIII, she courageously asked for permission to enter Carmel at the age of fifteen.
Her request was eventually granted, and on 9 April 1888, Thérèse entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux. She made her religious profession in 1890 and devoted herself to prayer, sacrifice and the ordinary duties of convent life.
Thérèse's spirituality became known as the “Little Way”. She believed that holiness did not require extraordinary achievements. Instead, a person could become holy by trusting completely in God's love and faithfully performing small acts of love and sacrifice.
Her spirituality was rooted in spiritual childhood — recognising one's own weakness while confidently relying upon God's mercy and grace.
Thérèse wrote about this journey in her spiritual autobiography, Story of a Soul, which became widely read after her death and helped spread her message throughout the Catholic world.
Thérèse's final years were marked by illness and spiritual suffering. She died from tuberculosis on 30 September 1897, at only 24 years of age. Her hidden life in Carmel, however, soon became known throughout the Church.
She was beatified in 1923 and canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1925. In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church, recognising the profound spiritual teaching contained in her writings and life.
Saint Thérèse teaches Christians that holiness can be found in ordinary life. Her message encourages believers to trust God's mercy, love others through small acts of kindness and offer everyday difficulties to God.
Although she lived a quiet life far from the world's attention, her “Little Way” continues to inspire people seeking a simple and deeply personal relationship with Christ.
Saint Thérèse reminds us that great holiness can grow from small acts performed with great love.
To know about more saints and Catholic feast days, please visit the spiritual section.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
Relevant Keywords: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint Thérèse feast day, Little Flower, Little Way, Story of a Soul, Saint Thérèse Doctor of the Church, Catholic saints, October 1 saints, Carmelite saints, patroness of missions
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