Saint Therese of Lisieux

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"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." ("Philippians 4:13") It's true that staying focused in life can be difficult, and when temptations arrive, often we find ourselves faltering under the pressure. Most times, with no one to turn to for advice, or guidance, it's hard to imagine a place where giving up doesn't exist. Though the rough patches may seem to drag on forever, determination is the only answer to complete the job at hand. St. Therese of Lisieux, born on January 2nd, 1873 in Alencon, France, was a strong woman with undying determination to become the best possible version of herself that she could be, and serve God. Growing up without a mother, St. Therese learned about God and His people from her father, whom she loved dearly. It was through those teachings that St. Therese found her calling; to serve God in the Carmelite nun Convent in Lisieux, France. At fourteen, St. Therese applied to become a nun, but was denied entrance several times because of her young age. Later on, at the age of fifteen, she was accepted to the Convent, making her the youngest nun to have ever been allowed entrance. St. Therese joined right away, hence beginning her journey as a child of God. A hero must possess traits worthy to make them fit to wear the crown of "heroism". I feel that St. Therese of Lisieux demonstrates these qualities because she was hard-working, humble, and chose to worry about others' lives before her own. Though she was quite young, and still gathering her thoughts on life,  St. Therese stayed focused, and continued on her spiritual journey.

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St. Therese of Lisieux was a focused, and spiritual young woman, who always knew in her heart, that it was her mission to serve God. Even though it was very difficult, St. Therese made it known that she was only on Earth for one reason, to make the life of the Lord present in the minds, bodies, and souls of each person. "My mission - to make God loved," she said." ("Saint, Therese, the little flower") St. Therese worked hard to achieve these goals, because many people, at that time, did not believe a woman of her age could possibly bring the Lord into their lives. St. Therese was diligent, and accepted all life's responsibilities with grace. St. Therese discovered that she could write down all of her thoughts in a journal to keep herself more on track for her life. "Therese, in her autobiography, divided her own early life into three distinct periods: the first was the happy and untrammeled period, the second,  a time of sensitivity and weariness and occasional religious scruples, and the third, beginning with what she called her "conversion." ("Therese of Lisieux") St. Therese of Lisieux became a woman who stayed true to her mission by praying each night, and focusing on her life journey.

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Though St. Therese of Lisieux had determination to bring God into other people's lives, she never neglected time to make Him present in her own. She prayed each day and night for her Savior to heal the hearts of those who needed Him most. "Therese became a Carmelite 'to save souls and to pray for priests'."  ("About St. Therese of Lisieux") She saw that her prayers did heal many people, and she then became known as "the little flower of Jesus." ("Saint Therese, the Little Flower") St. Therese observed that not everyone could feel a deep connection with the Lord, and she wanted to change that in a way where they could. Being the strong and spiritual woman that she was, St. Therese believed that all suffering was to be done in secrecy. St. Therese privately struggled with tuberculosis for two years, before passing away due to the terrible illness. "Therese has been a highly influential model of sanctity for Catholics and for others because of the "simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life". ("St. Therese of Lisieux") St. Therese felt that her life with God was special, and that everything that was brought on to her, was on purpose to prepare her for bigger and better things. She was such a holy woman who gave up her whole entire life to bring people closer to the teachings of God. Saint Therese did her life in prayer quietly, and reverently, but she always knew, from the moment she entered the Carmelite nun Convent at fifteen, that it was her calling to be a spiritual leader through her faith.

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St. Therese of Lisieux succeeded at becoming a focused and spiritual woman at such a young age. She went through ups and downs, prayed for others a countless amount of times, and definitely became the best possible version of herself that she could be. St. Therese of Lisieux inspires me because she was a chose to lead a private life of focus and prayer, yet she inspired so many people along the way. She sacrificed so much, and became a true child of God, just like she always wanted.