Teresa of Lisieux

Patroness of Florists, Gardeners, Foreign Missions, Missionaries, AIDS/HIV Patients, Pilots and France; Invoked against Tuberculosis and Loss of Parents.

1873-1897. Térèsa was the youngest of five sisters. She followed her sisters into the Carmelite order in Lisieux, France. She joined the convent at the young age of 14. She was fragile and could do most of the austere practices of the Carmelite order except for fasting. The Mother Superior suggested that she write down her experiences. She wrote 'The Story of a Soul'. Térèsa died of tuberculoses at the age of 24. She has a strong following today because of her book —which is refreshingly innocent yet is deep in spiritual wisdom and beauty.