Teresa, the “Little Flower of Jesus,” was born at Alençon in 1873 to the saintly Louis and Zélie Martin, both of whom had wished to consecrate their lives to God in the cloister. Five of their nine children became members of religious orders. At the age of 15 Teresa applied to join the Carmelites but was refused and went to Rome with her father to seek the consent of Pope Leo XIII. Consent was given in 1888 and Teresa entered the convent of Lisieux where two of her sisters were already nuns. Teresa died in 1897 and was canonised in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. She was declared a Doctor of the Church by Saint John Paul II in 1997.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Rome, near the spot called Ursus Pileatus, St. Candidus, martyr.
The same day the holy martyrs Denis, Faustus, Cains, Peter, Paul and four others, who suffered much under Decius, and under Valerian, being a long time subjected to torments by the governor Æmilian, merited the palm of martyrdom.
Among the ancient Saxons in Westphalia, two holy martyrs of the name of Ewaldus, who being priests and preaching Christ in that country, were seized by pagans and put to death. During the night a great light appeared for a long time over their bodies showing where they were, and how distinguished were their merits.
In Africa, St. Maximian, bishop of Bagay, who, after having frequently endured great cruelties from the Donatists, was finally cast headlong from a high tower and left for dead. Illustrious by a glorious confession, he afterwards rested in the Lord.
In Palestine, St. Hesychius, confessor, a disciple of St. Hilarion, and the companion of his travels.
In Belgium, in the diocese of Namur, St. Gerard, abbot.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
O Lord who said “unless you become as little children you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven,” grant us, we beseech you, so to follow in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the blessed virgin Teresa, that we may obtain everlasting rewards.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Rome, near the spot called Ursus Pileatus, St. Candidus, martyr.
The same day the holy martyrs Denis, Faustus, Cains, Peter, Paul and four others, who suffered much under Decius, and under Valerian, being a long time subjected to torments by the governor Æmilian, merited the palm of martyrdom.
Among the ancient Saxons in Westphalia, two holy martyrs of the name of Ewaldus, who being priests and preaching Christ in that country, were seized by pagans and put to death. During the night a great light appeared for a long time over their bodies showing where they were, and how distinguished were their merits.
In Africa, St. Maximian, bishop of Bagay, who, after having frequently endured great cruelties from the Donatists, was finally cast headlong from a high tower and left for dead. Illustrious by a glorious confession, he afterwards rested in the Lord.
In Palestine, St. Hesychius, confessor, a disciple of St. Hilarion, and the companion of his travels.
In Belgium, in the diocese of Namur, St. Gerard, abbot.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
