On October 1st, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” whose simple yet profound spirituality has touched countless hearts. She is renowned for her “little way” of trusting in God, doing small things with great love, and embracing every moment as an opportunity to glorify Him. 

A Heart on Fire for Christ

St. Thérèse’s devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was at the core of her spiritual life. She found in the Sacred Heart an infinite source of love, mercy, and grace, always open to those who trust in His care. In one of her many letters, she wrote: “I understood that love comprises all vocations… that it embraces all times and places… in a word, that it is eternal!”

For St. Thérèse, the Sacred Heart was a reminder that Jesus’ love knows no bounds. Even in her illness and suffering, she entrusted herself fully to His divine love, recognizing that her trials could be transformed into acts of love for God and others. 

A Member of the Apostleship of Prayer

What many may not know is that St. Thérèse of Lisieux was a member of the Apostleship of Prayer, known today as the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. This worldwide ministry focuses on bringing prayer intentions to life by offering daily prayers and sacrifices for the needs of the Church and the world.

Her spirituality aligned closely with the Apostleship of Prayer’s vision of offering all aspects of one’s day to God—united with the Heart of Jesus. She once said, “My mission is to make others love God as I love Him, to give my little way to souls.” St. Thérèse believed in the power of prayer and the importance of interceding for others, a practice central to the Apostleship of Prayer.

In recognition of her deep love for the Sacred Heart and her commitment to prayer, St. Thérèse was named the co-patron of the Apostleship of Prayer, along with St. Francis Xavier. Her influence continues to inspire those who are part of this mission to live each day united with the intentions of the Church and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Embracing the Little Way

The feast of St. Thérèse reminds us of the simplicity and beauty of her “little way” of spiritual childhood. She believed that no act of love is too small for God and that we are all called to trust in His divine mercy, just as she trusted in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As we celebrate her feast day, let us reflect on her unwavering devotion to Jesus and her example of love and prayer. In the words of St. Thérèse herself: “To live of love is to sail always, spreading peace and joy in hearts.”

On this day, consider joining the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (The Apostleship of Prayer) to follow in the footsteps of St. Thérèse, offering your prayers and daily works to the Heart of Christ for the intentions of the Holy Father. You can download a replica of St. Thérèse’s Apostleship of Prayer membership card as part of your enrollment. Click here to download your membership card.

May the Little Flower shower us with roses of grace, inspiring us to love Jesus with the same fiery devotion that she carried throughout her short yet extraordinary life.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us!