Sing the Mercies of the lord
Marie Françoise Martin was born in Alençon (France) on january 2, 1873, fifth ans last dauther of a Christian family where she grew up « surrounded with love ».
She was 4 years old when her mother died. A new trial came and broke her child heart: her sister Pauline and then her sister Mary she had chosen as « little mothers » die.
At the age of ten, she suffered a serious illness but the « charming smile of the Blessed Virgin » healed her. On Christmas night of 1886, Therese received « the grace to grow out of childhood, in a word the grace of her complete conversion. She started a « giant’s race », towards God-Love who had grasped her. Intrepidly she went to Rome and threw herself at the Pope’s feet ; she obtained to enter the Carmel at the age of 15, on April 9, 1888.
The Lord revealed to her little by little her « little way » of abandonment and audacious confidence in merciful Love.
Enumerating all the desires Lord granted her during the years of religious life, Therese could only sing the mercies of Lord. « After so many graces, I can only sing with the pianist : Lord is so good, God’s Mercy is eternal ».
On June 9, 1985, fort the feast ot Holy Trinity, Therese received « the grace of understanding more thane ver how Jesus desires be loved. Sure or God’s tenderness, she offered herself to Merciful Love.
« Ah ! Since this happy day, it seems to me that Love penetrates me and envelopps me, it seems that at every moment this Merciful Love renews me, purifies me and leaves no spot of sin », she wrote.
Even the tuberculosis which ate her away, Therese went on following the strict observance of the Carmel. Through weariness, physical and moral pains, she kept the control of herself and her brotherly charity.
During the summer of 1897, Therese’s health grew worse. After a long and painful agony, on September 30, she « was born to Life, in the Communion of Saints to spread a rain of roses over the world.
Thérèse was canonized on May 17, 1925. She is the patron saint of missions and becomes a doctor of the church, on October 19, 1997. His relics rest at the Carmel of Lisieux and the Basilica of Lisieux.
