In his apostolic exhortation C’Est La Confiance (‘It Is Confidence’), Pope Francis reflects on Saint Thérèse of Lisieux on the 150th anniversary of her birth. The title of the document is taken from words used by Saint Thérèse in a letter to a Carmelite sister expressing her full confidence in the merciful love of God. As she stated, ‘It is confidence and nothing but confidence that must lead us to Love.’

Thérèse (1873-1897), popularly known as the ‘Little Flower, ‘ is one of the best known and most beloved saints. Pope Francis writes that ‘[w]e would do well to delve more deeply into her message’ shared in her Story of a Soul as well as the example she set forth with her ‘little way’ of life — the path of trust and love.

Therese, for her part, wished to highlight the primacy of God’s action; she encourages us to have complete confidence as we contemplate the love of Christ poured out to the end, ‘ Pope Francis writes. ‘With confidence, the wellspring of grace overflows into our lives, the Gospel takes flesh within us and makes us channels of mercy for our brothers and sisters.’