Saint Thérèse of Lisieux on the Holy Family

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus or "the Little Flower" was a 19th century French Discalced Carmelite nun. This beloved mystic experienced profound spiritual insights attained in prayer. Here is Saint Thérèse's reflection on the Holy Family that she shared with her fellow sisters:

What does me a lot of good when I think of the Holy Family is to imagine a life that was very ordinary… Little Jesus didn’t perform useless miracles…even to please His Mother. Why weren’t they transported into Egypt by a miracle which would have been necessary and so easy for God? In the twinkling of an eye, they could have been brought there. No, everything in their life was done just as in our own. How many troubles, disappointments! How many times did others make complaints to good St. Joseph! How many times did they refuse to pay him for his work! Oh! How astonished we would be if we only knew how much they had to suffer!

— St. Thérèse of Lisieux

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Prayer for St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s Intercession

Almighty God, you open your Kingdom to those who are humble and to little ones, lead us to follow trustingly in the little way of Saint Thérèse, so that through her intercession we may see your eternal glory revealed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who reigns with you and with the Holy Spirit. Amen. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, you did the ordinary with great love. Help us do the same.