Therese of Lisieux (1873- 1897)

Therese Martin was the youngest of 9 children. Her mother died when she was four. At age 15 she became a carmelite nun, though she had desired to do this earlier.

Her intention was to offer herself as a missionary nun to a work in Vietnam. The on set of tuberculosis made this impossible. She died only nine years into her life in the convent.

She kept extensive journals that were reworked after her death and published by her sister.

Therese loved nature. She often used the imagery of nature to explain how the Divine Presence is everywhere. She was convinced everything is connected in God's loving care.

Therese saw herself as 'the Little Flower of Jesus.' Just as the simple wild flowers in forests and fields. They go unnoticed by the greater population, yet grow under the caring eye of God. This was how Therese understood herself before the Lord - simple and hidden. Blooming where God had planted her."

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thérèse_de_Lisieux