Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway

 In his message for the World Day of the Sick 2013, Pope Benedict mentioned Saint Therese of Lisieux as among the saints who "helped the sick to appreciate the human and spiritual value of their suffering."  An excerpt is below:

"The Year of Faith which we are celebrating is a fitting occasion for intensifying the service of charity in our ecclesial communities, so that each one of us can be a good Samaritan for others, for those close to us. Here I would like to recall the innumerable figures in the history of the Church who helped the sick to appreciate the human and spiritual value of their suffering, so that they might serve as an example and an encouragement. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, "an expert in the scientia amoris" (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 42), was able to experience "in deep union with the Passion of Jesus" the illness that brought her "to death through great suffering" (Address at General Audience, 6 April 2011).
Read the full text of the Pope's message.  The World Day of the Sick is observed on February 11th, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.  The Pope released his message on January 8th.