In the early 20th century, Pope Pius X called Saint Thérèse of Lisieux “the greatest saint of modern times” and since then her popularity has only grown, writes Sean Breeden, pictured below, co-leader of the annual Thérèse and Joan women’s retreat at Saint Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. However, many Catholics only know Thérèse superficially.
She’s the one who sends you roses.
She’s the one who was perfect for her entire life.
She’s not someone I can’t relate to.
But, as with every human soul, Thérèse is so much more than first meets the eye. She was a contemplative warrior. When she had her ‘Christmas Conversion’ in 1886, she said, “Since that day, I have never been defeated in combat.”
She’s the 14-year-old girl who went on a pilgrimage to Rome and snuck down with her sister Céline to kiss the dirt of the Colosseum where the blood of the martyrs had been spilled.
She’s the young woman who spoke out of turn and begged Pope Leo XIII to let her enter Carmel at such a young age.
She’s the 21-year-old cloistered nun who wrote two plays about Joan of Arc and performed the lead role in the convent.
She’s the seasoned Carmelite who led the novices under her direction with the precision of a military captain, who battled tuberculosis, and wrote two of the three sections of Story of a Soul while actively coughing up blood.
Thérèse persevered in faith to the bitter end and died gazing at a crucifix with the words, “My God, I love you.”
May Thérèse’s example inspire us to fight the good fight of faith with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, pray for us!
• Sean Breeden is a parishioner at Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor. He is also the founder and director of the Warriors of Saint Michael Apostolate and co-leader of the annual Thérèse and Joan women’s retreat at Saint Francis Retreat Center.
• To learn more about the Warriors of Saint Michael, visit: https://www.warriorsofstmichael.com/
• To learn more about the Thérèse and Joan women’s retreat, visit: https://www.thereseandjoan.com/
