St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus was born, Thérèse Martin, in Alencon France in 1873, She was the last of nine children. Her father, Louis, was a successful watchmaker and jeweller. Her mother Zelie Guerin, managed a small lace-making business which began in the village of Alencon.

When Thérèse was only four, her mother died and the family moved to Lisieux. Here she spent the next ten years of her life, brought up in an atmosphere of love and family affection. From an early age she wanted knew she to give herself to God.

Four of Thérèse's siblings had died while still young; the remaining five girls eventually all entered the convent, so deep was their faith. Four became contemplative Carmelite Nuns at the Lisieux Carmel, and one became a Visitation sister.

Thérèse was a very normal little girl, who was rather sensitive. In fact, she seemed like a spoiled little girl, who would stomp her feet if she did not get her own way. Her father, who referred to her as "my little queen" would give her anything she wanted to keep her happy. Louis Martin was protective of his daughters. He would not even allow them to read the newspapers, so concerned was he that they would become too worldly.

When she was ten years old, she was cured of a serious illness through the 'smile of the Queen of Heaven'. She experienced a profound conversion on Christmas Eve, 1886, when only 13. Later, she felt a call to enter Carmel as a contemplative Nun, so that she could give herself totally to Jesus. But her age was a problem.

Appeals to the Mother Superior and Priest Chaplain yielded: "when you are old enough -16". Not content, Therese and her father appealed to the Bishop. Not getting the response she wanted, she appealed directly and personally to the Pope while on a parish pilgrimage to Rome. Therese had always said: "I want everything" - once again, she got her way.

She entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux and was given the name 'Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face'. She spent the next nine years of her life here, faithfully and heroically living the life of a Carmelite nun with great simplicity and humility. She also discovered what she liked to call her 'Little Way' - a way of confidence and trust and of total surrender to God's Merciful Love.

But it was at the end of her life when she realised her mission was about to begin - that she would spend her heaven doing good on earth.

Before she died, Thérèse, under obedience, began to write down the recollections and memories of her childhood together with her reflections on the religious life. St. Thérèse died on 30 September 1897 at the age of 24 after eighteen months of great physical suffering and desolation of spirit.

She was canonised in 1925 and has been proclaimed Patroness of France and of the Missions. In 1997, she was declared a Doctor of the Church. Her feast day is celebrated each year on October 1st.

There are a number of web sites devoted to St Thérèse of Lisieux which can be accessed by clicking on the links below.