St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as Thérèse Martin, was born on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France. She was the youngest of nine children in a deeply religious family, although only five of her siblings survived to adulthood. Thérèse's early life was marked by the loss of her mother, who passed away when she was just four years old, an event that profoundly impacted her spiritual development. Raised in a nurturing environment by her father and sisters, she exhibited a strong inclination toward faith and religious devotion from a young age.

Thérèse entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux at the tender age of 15, where she took on the name Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. It was within the cloistered walls of the convent that she developed her unique spiritual philosophy, which emphasized simplicity, humility, and childlike trust in God. Her literary career began in the convent, where she wrote her autobiography, "Story of a Soul," which she completed in 1895. This work would later become one of her most notable contributions to spiritual literature, outlining her "little way" of achieving holiness through everyday actions and a deep love for God.

Tragically, St. Thérèse's life was cut short when she succumbed to tuberculosis on September 30, 1897, at the age of 24 in Lisieux, France. Despite her brief existence, her writings and teachings have had a lasting impact on Catholic spirituality and she was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925. St. Thérèse is often referred to as "The Little Flower" and is a patron saint of missions and florists, symbolizing her belief in the beauty of small acts of love and devotion. Her legacy continues to inspire countless individuals seeking a deeper relationship with God through simplicity and faith.