St Therese of Lisieux

St Therese of Lisieux, born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin (2 January 1873 – 30 September 1897) was a French Catholic who became a Carmelite nun at an early age. She is popularly known as "The Little Flower of Jesus", or simply "The Little Flower". She died in obscurity at the age of 24. However, after her death, her autobiography – Story of a Soul was published and became a best-seller around the world. Her books explained her spiritual path of love and selflessness, and she became one of only three females to be considered a doctor of the Catholic Church. "What matters in life," she wrote, "is not great deeds, but great love." She loved flowers and saw herself as the "little flower of Jesus". Because of this beautiful analogy, the title "little flower" remained with her. St Therese was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925.