Saint Therese of Lisieux is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. Her spirituality focuses on simple acts of holiness, trust in God’s love and mercy, and finding beauty in the ordinary.
The Church celebrates the 100th anniversary of Saint Therese of Lisieux's canonization on May 17, 2025. Pope Pius XI canonized her on May 17, 1925!
Pope Saint John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church, and her feast day is celebrated on October 1.
Below you will find 14 timeless bits of wisdom from this remarkable saint in heaven:
“True happiness on earth consists in being forgotten and in remaining completely ignorant of created things. I understood that all we accomplish, however brilliant, is worth nothing without love.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“It is better to leave each one in his own opinion than to enter into arguments.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“Our Lord poured in the light of truth, which shines far brighter than the shadowy light of earthly pleasures. I would not exchange the ten minutes spent upon my act of charity for a thousand years of such worldly delights.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“Sufferings gladly borne for others convert more people than sermons.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice, these are my invincible arms; they can move hearts far better than words.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look toward heaven; it is a cry of recognition and love; embracing both trial and joy.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“If I did not suffer simply from moment to moment, I would find it impossible to be patient, but I look only at the present, forget the past, and am careful never to anticipate the future. When we surrender to discouragement or despair, it is usually because we are thinking too much of the past or the future.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“Receive Communion often, very often…there you have the sole remedy, if you want to be cured. Jesus has not put this attraction in your heart for nothing…” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you – for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart…don’t listen to the demon, laugh at him, and go without fear to receive the Jesus of peace and love…” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“True charity consists in bearing all our neighbor’s defects–not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, thereby a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” - Saint Therese of Lisieux
Here is Saint Therese of Lisieux’s prayer for priests. Remember to keep Pope Leo XIV in your prayers throughout his pontificate!
"O Jesus, eternal Priest,
Keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart,
where none may touch them.
Keep unstained their anointed hands,
which daily touch Your Sacred Body.
Keep unsullied their lips,
daily purpled with your Precious Blood.
Keep pure and unearthly their hearts,
sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.
Let Your holy love surround them and
shield them from the world’s contagion.
Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and
may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and in heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen"