The Ascended Master St Therese of Lisieux, also known as ‘The Little Flower,’ has been an enduring source of inspiration for many.
Her simple yet profound spiritual teachings, termed ‘The Little Way,’ have transcended religious boundaries, drawing interest from diverse spiritual communities.
In addition to her recognized status as a beloved saint, she is also perceived as an Ascended Master.
This double-layered veneration makes St Therese an intriguing figure worth exploring. This article will shed light on her journey from being a young Carmelite nun in France to her posthumous recognition as a Saint and an Ascended Master.
Early Life and Background of St Therese
St Therese of Lisieux, born Therese Martin, entered the world on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France.
The youngest of nine children, she grew up in a deeply religious Catholic household. Her parents, Louis and Zélie Martin instilled in their children an unshakable faith that would serve as a guiding force throughout their lives.
Tragically, Therese’s mother passed away when she was just four, setting the stage for a life marked by a deep longing for spiritual connection. Her older sisters, Marie and Pauline, took up the maternal role in young Therese’s life.
At a young age, she was deeply influenced by their intense devotion to Catholicism, which ignited her own passion and ultimately led to a profound spiritual calling.
Age fifteen marked a significant moment in her life when she felt a strong urge to join the Carmelite order, dedicated to prayer and living a simple, austere life.
Despite her young age, her resolve was so firm that she even appealed to Pope Leo XIII to enter the convent early. She succeeded in her quest, joining her sisters at the Carmelite convent in Lisieux.
The Carmelite life of seclusion and prayer offered a nurturing environment for Therese’s spiritual growth. Her teachings and spiritual journey, later articulated in her autobiography ‘The Story of a Soul,’ started to form during these formative years. She developed her renowned ‘Little Way,’ a spiritual path that encourages finding holiness in the ordinary and mundane tasks of daily life.
Though spiritually enriching, Therese’s time in the convent was not devoid of hardship. She battled health issues, and at the age of 24, she succumbed to tuberculosis.
While her life was brief, her spiritual journey was vibrant, and her posthumous influence would be felt far beyond the walls of her cloistered existence.
Spiritual Journey of St Therese of Lisieux
St Therese’s spiritual journey is unique in that it was characterized by a deep internal intensity rather than dramatic outward expressions of piety.
Central to her spirituality was the concept of ‘The Little Way.’ This spiritual path, conceptualized by Therese, posits that ordinary life when embraced with love and mindfulness, can lead to extraordinary spiritual growth. It is a journey of small steps rather than leaps, of quiet moments of connection with the divine rather than grand revelations.
Therese’s ‘Little Way’ stems from her understanding of her smallness and her acceptance of her limitations and imperfections. She once wrote,
“I know well that it is not my great desires that please God in my little soul, what He likes to see is the way I love my littleness and my poverty; it is my blind hope in His mercy, this is my only treasure…”.
Therese’s writings, primarily recorded in her autobiography ‘The Story of a Soul,’ chronicle her spiritual journey and the development of her ‘Little Way.’ These writings have since become a spiritual classic, translated into many languages, and have inspired countless people across the globe.
Despite suffering from ill health, Therese maintained her spiritual practices and commitment to her faith throughout her life. Even in the throes of her final illness, she reportedly maintained an attitude of acceptance and peace. On her deathbed, she uttered the words, “I am not dying; I am entering life.
Her death on September 30, 1897, marked the end of her physical journey, but it was just the beginning of her spiritual legacy. Her teachings and her ‘Little Way’ would endure and spread, reaching corners of the world she could never have imagined during her brief lifetime in Lisieux.
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Canonization and Recognition as a Saint
In the years following Therese’s death, her spiritual teachings started to resonate with an ever-widening circle of people. The posthumous publication of her autobiography ‘The Story of a Soul’ further amplified her message and life story. This book, often described as a spiritual classic, had a transformative impact, inspiring individuals and religious communities worldwide.
The Church recognized her significant influence and attributed miracles to her intercession, leading to her beatification in 1923 by Pope Pius XI.
Miracles, as deemed by the Catholic Church, are often one of the prerequisites for sainthood. Two healings, the miraculous recovery of Sister Louise of Saint Germain and that of Charles Anne, a seminarian dying from advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, were recognized by the Church as miracles through the intercession of Therese.
In recognition of her profound spiritual impact, Therese was canonized and declared a Saint, on May 17, 1925, by Pope Pius XI, less than three decades after her death. This was a testament to the perceived potency of her intercession and the far-reaching influence of her spiritual teachings.
Further affirming her significant role within the Catholic Church, she was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997, an honor bestowed upon Saints recognized for their significant contribution to theology or doctrine.
As a Doctor of the Church, Therese is recognized for her profound spiritual insights and the simplicity and practicality of her ‘Little Way’ that continues to inspire millions across the globe.
St Therese is also the patroness of the missions, a title she was given in 1927 by Pope Pius XI. This designation is somewhat ironic, considering Therese never left her convent after entering it at fifteen. Yet, her passionate desire to save souls, her prayers for missionaries, and the global influence of her writings and teachings make her an apt choice for this role.
The ‘Little Way’ of St Therese of Lisieux
The ‘Little Way‘ is a spiritual path developed and lived by St Therese of Lisieux. This approach to spirituality sometimes called the ‘way of spiritual childhood,’ has resonated with many due to its simplicity, accessibility, and profound depth.
At the heart of the ‘Little Way’ is the belief in the extraordinary power of ordinary acts when performed with love and devotion. It encourages individuals to embrace their smallness and to offer even the most mundane activities of daily life, like washing dishes or doing chores, as acts of love to God.
Therese believed that not everyone is called to do great things, but everyone can do small things with great love. This radical perspective turned away from the notion that holiness or spiritual advancement could only be achieved through grand gestures, ascetic practices, or miracles.
Instead, it put forth the possibility that every person, regardless of their station in life, could aspire to sainthood by infusing their everyday actions with love and intentionality.
Trust in God’s mercy and love is essential to the ‘Little Way.’
Therese viewed herself as a small child wholly dependent on the love of God. She believed that God doesn’t expect us to be perfect but rather cherishes our attempts to love Him, despite our shortcomings. This perspective encouraged a humble acceptance of one’s imperfections and a profound trust in God’s grace.
Another key element of the ‘Little Way’ is Therese’s belief in the redemptive power of suffering. She saw her struggles and suffering as opportunities to grow in love and faith. She believed that by accepting and offering up her sufferings with love, she could draw closer to God and contribute to the salvation of souls.
The ‘Little Way’ of St Therese remains a significant part of her legacy. Her teachings continue to inspire individuals across various spiritual traditions, offering a simple, accessible, and yet profound path to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Introduction of St. Therese of Lisieux as an Ascended Master
The recognition of St Therese as an Ascended Master doesn’t follow a single codified path. Instead, it’s often a result of individual spiritual experiences and interpretations within these diverse spiritual communities.
Many who follow New Age spirituality or Theosophy have reported feeling a strong connection with Saint Therese, receiving spiritual insights and visions, or experiencing transformative events that they attribute to her.
For instance, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, a Church Universal and Triumphant leader, recognized and taught about Saint Therese as an Ascended Master.
According to Prophet, Saint Therese had ascended and became a spiritual guide, helping individuals navigate their spiritual journey. She stressed Therese’s humility, love, and simple, child-like faith as key attributes that followers could aspire to embody.
Similarly, some practitioners of Ascended Master Teachings, a group of religious teachings based on Theosophy, regard Saint Therese as an Ascended Master. They view her as a spiritual beacon, guiding them in their quest for spiritual enlightenment. They often focus on embodying the virtues of love, humility, and finding joy in simplicity, foundational to Therese’s ‘Little Way.’
Furthermore, several modern spiritual authors and teachers, such as Doreen Virtue, known for her works on angel therapy and ascended masters, have included Saint Therese in their discussions of Ascended Masters. They encourage followers to invoke Saint Therese for spiritual guidance and help, cultivating deeper faith and finding divine love in everyday life.
Ascended Masters List: Who They Are and What They Teach
Conclusion
The life and teachings of St Therese, particularly her concept of the ‘Little Way,’ have spread globally and continue to inspire people from all walks of life.
Her autobiography, ‘The Story of a Soul,’ has been translated into multiple languages and studied in religious and philosophical contexts worldwide. It provides a tangible guide for those seeking a path of humility, love, and joy in life’s ordinary aspects.
The universal appeal of her message – finding joy, love, and divinity in simplicity and daily life – transcends religious denominations, making it as relevant now as it was during her life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Saint Therese known for?
Saint Therese is known for her simple and humble approach to spirituality, her ‘Little Way,’ and for her profound influence as a Catholic saint and an Ascended Master.
She’s also known for the numerous miracles attributed to her intercession.
Why is St Therese of Lisieux so special?
St. Therese of Lisieux is special because of her ‘Little Way’ of spirituality, emphasizing love and simplicity in the path to holiness.
Despite her short life, her teachings have had a profound global influence across different faith traditions and spiritual beliefs.
What symbol represents St Therese of Lisieux?
Saint Therese is often represented by the symbol of a rose or a bouquet of roses, as she is said to have promised that she would send roses as signs of her intercession from heaven.
What color roses are associated with St. Therese?
While roses of all colors are associated with St. Therese, she is most commonly associated with red and white roses.
However, many believe any color rose can be a sign of her intercession.
How did St Therese of Lisieux become a saint?
St. Therese was canonized (declared a saint) by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925, less than 30 years after her death.
Her canonization followed recognition of the profound impact of her spiritual writings and the miracles attributed to her intercession.
Why is St Therese called The little flower?*
St. Therese is called ‘The Little Flower’ as a reference to her philosophy of the ‘Little Way’ and her belief in the significance of small acts done with great love.
The title also aligns with her association with roses, which she promised to send as signs of her intercession from heaven.
What is the ‘Little Way’?
The ‘Little Way’ is St. Therese’s spiritual path, which emphasizes simplicity and humility.
It is about doing small acts with great love, trusting in God’s love and mercy, and embracing the ordinary activities of daily life as opportunities for expressing love and devotion.
