St. Thérèse of Lisieux, affectionately known as "The Little Flower," is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. Her life of humility, love, and profound faith continues to inspire millions. While her philosophy of “The Little Way” is widely known, St. Thérèse’s deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is another cornerstone of her spiritual life that deserves special reflection.
Through her writings and prayers, St. Thérèse shares her profound relationship with Our Lady, teaching us that even small acts of love and trust can lead to great holiness. Let us explore her words and prayers about Mary, alongside her philosophy of “The Little Way.”
A Childlike Love for Mary
From an early age, St. Thérèse nurtured a tender relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary. In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, she writes:
“I turned to my Heavenly Mother. I prayed with all my heart that she would have pity on me... All of a sudden, the Blessed Virgin appeared beautiful to me.”
This moment refers to a miraculous healing she experienced as a child, where she gazed at a statue of the Virgin Mary and felt her mother’s loving presence. Soon after, she recovered from her illness, deepening her trust in Mary’s maternal care.
Thérèse’s writings also reveal her belief in Mary’s simple and quiet life:
“What a model the Blessed Virgin gives us! She lived a poor and humble life, yet she fulfilled perfectly the will of God.”
Mary and the Little Way
St. Thérèse’s devotion to Mary was deeply rooted in her philosophy of “The Little Way,” a path to holiness through simplicity, humility, and love. She saw Mary as the perfect example of this way of life, living in obscurity yet profoundly faithful to God’s plan.
In her reflections, St. Thérèse admired Mary’s humility:
“She is more Mother than Queen... I see her as so simple, so close to us, more like a mother than an empress.”
For Thérèse, Mary’s life teaches us to embrace humility and trust in God’s providence, even in the smallest aspects of daily life.
Mary as Thérèse’s Heavenly Mother
The Blessed Virgin Mary became a central figure in St. Thérèse’s life, especially after the early loss of her earthly mother, Zélie Martin, when Thérèse was only four years old. This devastating event left young Thérèse feeling vulnerable and alone, but it also led her to entrust herself completely to Mary.
Thérèse described this moment of surrender in Story of a Soul:
“After Mama’s death, I raised my heart to the Blessed Virgin and begged her to be my mother now. Since then, Mary has always protected me and answered my prayers.”
This simple yet profound act of trust shaped Thérèse’s spiritual life. She saw Mary as a loving mother who guided her through her childhood grief, her vocational discernment, and her spiritual struggles. Mary was not just a distant figure to Thérèse but a deeply personal and tender presence, embodying the maternal care she longed for.
Years later, as Thérèse prepared to enter the Carmelite convent at the age of 15, she again placed her vocation in Mary’s hands. Kneeling before a statue of the Blessed Virgin, she prayed for Mary’s guidance, seeing herself as a child held close to her heavenly mother’s heart. This act of trust mirrored her “Little Way,” demonstrating her belief that even small gestures of love and surrender are precious in God’s eyes.
Her Marian Prayers
St. Thérèse had a deep love for praying the rosary and often turned to Mary in moments of need. One of her most beautiful expressions of Marian devotion is her poem, Why I Love You, O Mary. Here’s an excerpt:
“You teach me how to suffer and to love while suffering.
You know how to remain always serene and calm.
With the simplicity of a child, I want to mirror you.”
In her prayers, she often expressed childlike trust:
“O Mary, if I were the Queen of Heaven and you were Thérèse, I would want to be Thérèse so that you might be the Queen of Heaven!”
This sentiment reflects her profound love for Mary as a mother and guide.
A Daughter’s Love for Her Mother
St. Thérèse’s devotion to Mary was not separate from her love for Jesus but flowed from it. She saw Mary as the perfect guide, always leading her closer to her Son. Through her “Little Way” and her childlike trust, Thérèse demonstrates that Marian devotion is for everyone—not just saints.
As St. Thérèse herself wrote:
“How I love the Blessed Virgin! If I had been a priest, oh! how I would have sung her praises. She is a mother whom we should love with all our hearts.”
Through her example, St. Thérèse invites us to embrace Mary as our mother, trusting in her intercession and modeling our lives on her virtues.