Paradox of a Popular Saint

St. Therese of Lisieux (1873 - 1897) was one of only four women saints & Doctors of the Church. She is one of the most popular saints in the history of the Church. Pope Pius X called her "the greatest saint of modern times."

When only 15, she became a nun after overcoming various obstacles, including her young age. She spoke out against some of the claims made concerning the lives of the saints written in her day. She said "We should not say improbable things or things we do not know. We must see their real, & not their imagined lives.'

In her last eighteen months, she fell into a "night of faith", in which she is said to have felt Jesus was absent & been tormented by doubts that God existed. Readers of John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress" may recall Christian's encounter with the "Giant Despair" & subsequent imprisonment in his "Doubting Castle."

In the film made on her life, the little Therese on being told of Joan of Arc's life, exclaims that she wants to be like her. This came true as she was declared Patron Saint of France posthumously along with St.Joan. During her last days, the Mother Superior of her convent admits she voluntarily humiliated her but says that Therese would not have become a saint without it. This again draws a parallel with the "Valley of Humiliation" in Bunyan's book mentioned above.

At the age of 24, she died coughing blood, because of consumption.

As such she belongs to the pantheon of women who devoted their lives to God like Akka Mahadevi, Meerabai, Sri Andal, Karaikal Ammaiyar & others.