"St. Therese on Air" icon by Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS. Available from Trinity Stores.

A nature lover and sustainable development activist

taken up by Pope Francis

The contemplation of nature made Thérèse of Lisieux aware of the depth of the human person. It encourages humanity to care for creation, the development of which also serves the good of humanity.

From her earliest years, Thérèse of Lisieux's relationship with nature, through the elements, such as the sun, animals, flowers, the sea, the countryside, trees, and the earth, gives root to her universal message of love and reconciliation. She places it in a global economy, an ecology at the service of humanity, a society that takes into account the integral human. The education Thérèse of Lisieux received from her parents, in the family, opened her to these principles of life. 

The question of sustainable development refers in the Bible to the Book of Genesis, to the question of Creation, and opens the way to the integral ecology of which Pope Francis speaks in his second encyclical entitled "Laudato si'" ("Praise be to you"). It invites men and women of good will to take care of our earth, our common home, and ultimately to correspond to God's plan in his work of creation that he continues to instill day by day throughout the worl

Taking care of the common home also means taking care of the people we are (or are not) in a relationship with. A common house is made for the meeting of those who live in it.

 In "Laudato si,” Pope Francis draws on the example of "Thérèse of Lisieux"(n. 230 , editor's note) and, in substance, says that integral ecology begins here and now, precisely with a smile, a benevolent attention, an outstretched hand, which bring men and women of good will into contact with one another and awaken in them the desire for a common house where it is good to live, respecting the traditions and cultures of those who inhabit it.

This is the missionary desire of Thérèse of Lisieux, expressed here, to go out to meet the world in order to share with as many people as possible what makes her live and to desire to continue to "do good on earth.”

This article is excerpted from a press release published on the Web site of the Shrine at Lisieux (https://www.therese-de-lisieux.catholique.fr).   I reproduce it here with fervent thanks to the Shrine at Lisieux, the Shrine at Alencon, UNESCO, and all their partners in celebrating this worldwide honor done to Therese].  Look for more information about the universal significance of this award in the days to come.

icon of St. Therese of Lisieux by Brother Mickey McGrath. Available at Trinity Stores.

Thérèse of Lisieux at the heart of political developments

The political tradition of Thérèse of Lisieux's "involvement" with the people appeared very soon after her death. Her reputation grew in the trenches on both sides of the war during the First World War. Thérèse of Lisieux becomes a sign of peace, comfort, encouragement and consolation for these men torn from their lives.

 On 3 May 1944, Thérèse of Lisieux became the secondary patron saint of France, while the Allied landings were taking place. On 6 June 1944, the long march to liberate France and Europe in the service of peace began... From 1944 to 1947, the relics of Thérèse of Lisieux, symbols of her presence and radiance, travelled throughout France to restore confidence and courage to a whole people wounded by the war, in the effort to rebuild and reconcile men and people.

In recent years, the universal scope of her message has been widely expressed in the world:

 Philippines: In January 2000, at the request of the prison authorities in Manila, Thérèse of Lisieux and her message were welcomed in the death row. No further executions would take place after this memorable moment. The death penalty would be abolished in 2006.

Lebanon: From September to November 2002, all of Lebanon, regardless of religion, honoured Thérèse of Lisieux. On 17 October, in Beirut, President Jacques Chirac participated in the Francophone summit, supported peace efforts throughout the region and reaffirmed the need for the withdrawal of non-Lebanese military troops, which had been underway for several months, as provided for in the Taif agreements in 1989.

 Iraq: on 16 November 2002, the 8 o'clock news in France simultaneously showed the arrival of the UN Delegation on the tarmac in Baghdad and the tribute paid to Thérèse of Lisieux.

Colombia: In 2004, a Colombian initiative around Thérèse of Lisieux, had as its objective a "Peace Mission for Colombia" under the protection of the Army, in the midst of the conflict with FARC.

Thérèse of Lisieux is also an advisor to political figures, whose testimony remains personal most of the time.

This article is excerpted from a press release published on the Web site of the Shrine at Lisieux (https://www.therese-de-lisieux.catholique.fr).   I reproduce it here with fervent thanks to the Shrine at Lisieux, the Shrine at Alencon, UNESCO, and all their partners in celebrating this worldwide honor done to Therese].  Look for more information about the universal significance of this award in the days to come.

 St. Therese of Lisieux - icon by Br. Robert Lentz, OFM. Available at Trinity Stores.

Therese of Lisieux,

universal figure and ambassador of France

Thérèse of Lisieux, known throughout the world, was born Thérèse Martin on 2 January 1873 in Alençon and died on 30 September 1897 in the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where she was a nun for nine years. In only 24 years of existence, this young woman will understand what is essential to her life and her relationship with the world, a particular itinerary that opens up to the universal.

Thérèse of Lisieux contributes to France’s influence in the world. Through her work, she looks at society and our humanity from a woman's perspective. A French woman of culture, in the audacity of her youth, she carries like a standard the torch of universal love and peace offered to all people.

Her intellectual approach can be seen as a bold spiritual revolution in favour of the primacy of universal love for all people. During her long journey through France, Switzerland and Italy, she broadened her horizons to other cultures. She supports young missionaries and looks towards Africa and Asia. She herself wants to go to Vietnam.

France and communities abroad keep the spirit of Thérèse of Lisieux alive. The bells of the Basilica of Lisieux ring out their melodies in accordance with their mottos, such as the bumblebee with the name "Therese, Protector of Peoples" and the motto "I ring the call of people to unity in Love". The Sanctuary of Lisieux is visited by more than one million people from all over the world every year. The bell tower is like a beacon to the world.

On the 5 continents, many establishments in the field of education and health bear her name, such as in India, the great hospital "Lisie" in Kerala for Lisieux! There are countless religious buildings dedicated to her. Many people around the world are named after her as well. The millions of statues of Thérèse of Lisieux scattered around the world make one look to France.The thought of Thérèse of Lisieux continues to inspire researchers and scholars around the world. It is the subject of colloquia, dissertations, and doctoral theses. Thérèse of Lisieux was made Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Cuenca in Ecuador. She was granted permanent residence in the Galapagos Islands! She has been made an honorary citizen of many cities around the world and has been given the keys to each one.

This article is excerpted from a press release published on the Web site of the Shrine at Lisieux (https://www.therese-de-lisieux.catholique.fr).   I reproduce it here with fervent thanks to the Shrine at Lisieux, the Shrine at Alencon, UNESCO, and all their partners in celebrating this worldwide honor done to Therese].  Look for more information about the universal significance of this award in the days to come.

Thérèse of Lisieux honoured by UNESCO in 2022 and 2023

UNESCO has decided to select Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) as one of the anniversaries commemorated by UNESCO in 2022-2023.

Every two years, UNESCO associates itself with the anniversary of personalities or institutions who, through their figures and shared works, promote the same values of humanity in the service of peace and understanding between peoples that the organisation defends.

 Each Member State of UNESCO may then nominate one man and one woman for inclusion in the list of anniversaries with which UNESCO could be associated for the next two years. This is referred to as a "biennium" or "biennial", which takes into account the time span of two years.

At the suggestion of the Shrine of Lisieux, France has chosen to present the figure of Thérèse of Lisieux, born in 1873, with the support of Belgium and Italy. France also presented Gustave Eiffel, who died in 1923.

After an internal selection process, UNESCO has chosen to include Thérèse of Lisieux in its final list of anniversaries commemorated during its 2022/2023 biennial, motivated by her universal personality:

Extract from the presentation of Thérèse de Lisieux to the Executive Council of 25 March 2021

"Thérèse of Lisieux was a nun who died at the age of 24 and is best known for her posthumous publications, including Histoire d'une âme. This celebration will contribute to bringing greater visibility and justice to women who have promoted the values of peace through their actions. Given the fame of Thérèse of Lisieux in the Catholic community (the city of Lisieux being the second most popular place of pilgrimage in France after Lourdes), the celebration of her birthday can be an opportunity to highlight the role of women within religions in the fight against poverty and the promotion of inclusion, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 161. It can also reinforce UNESCO's message on the importance of culture (poems and written plays) in promoting universal values and as a vehicle for inter-religious dialogue.”

1 MDG 1: Inclusive quality education for all as a key factor in poverty eradication.

MDG 16: Foster peaceful inclusive societies through education, including peace and human rights education and the provision of education in emergencies. Encourage dialogue between cultures, the culture of peace and non-violence... Strengthen governance systems for culture and fundamental freedoms.    

This article is excerpted from a press release published on the Web site of the Shrine at Lisieux (https://www.therese-de-lisieux.catholique.fr).   I reproduce it here with fervent thanks to the Shrine at Lisieux, the Shrine at Alencon, UNESCO, and all their partners in celebrating this worldwide honor done to Therese].  Look for more information about the universal significance of this award in the days to come.                                      

On 11 November 2021, the General Conference of UNESCO member countries validated the inclusion of Thérèse of Lisieux in the anniversaries with which UNESCO will be associated for the years 2022/2023, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary in 2023 of the birth of Thérèse Martin in Alençon, on 2 January 1873.

 A young French woman known throughout the world, a woman of culture, education and science, Thérèse of Lisieux, through her personality and her work, scans the depths of the human heart and opens up possible answers to the men and women of this world in search of meaning, in search of personal and universal peace.

UNESCO's recognition of Thérèse of Lisieux at the suggestion of France opens up new prospects for the spread of her message of life, peace and love to "the remotest islands", as Thérèse of Lisieux herself put it, to the "peripheries", according to the expression of Pope Francis.

The official reception of this recognition took place on Saturday 4 December 2021 at 3.30 pm in Lisieux at the Halle Saint-Jacques, rue au Char.

Father Olivier Ruffray Rector of the Shrine of Lisieux

Every two years, Unesco honours personalities who, in their own way, have worked and continue to work in the fields of education, the advancement of women, culture, science and peace-building

Known throughout the world, Thérèse, through her works and her testimony, contributes to the promotion of universal values. Through the quality and depth of her life, she speaks a language that transcends borders; that of Love.

 Father Thierry Hénault-Morel Rector of the Shrine of Alençon

[This article is excerpted from a press release published on the Web site of the Shrine at Lisieux (https://www.therese-de-lisieux.catholique.fr).   I reproduce it here with fervent thanks to the Shrine at Lisieux, the Shrine at Alencon, UNESCO, and all their partners in celebrating this worldwide honor done to Therese].  Look for more information about the universal significance of this award in the days to come.