Feast Days: October 1 | October 15

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, entered a Carmelite convent in France at the age of 15. Through her “little way” of love, prayer, and sacrifice, St. Thérèse became known for her great holiness. Her book, The Story of a Soul, is the autobiography of her life. She died of tuberculosis when she was 24.

St. Teresa of Avila, who lived in 16th century Spain, was also a Carmelite nun. She was a great reformer of her age. She was so displeased with the lax lifestyle of her convent that she founded a new reformed convent, called the Discalced Carmelites. St. Teresa was a contemplative and mystic, and received great raptures and visions. The artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini portrayed one of her mystical experiences in a famous sculpture titled “The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa” in Rome’s Santa Maria della Vittoria.

Can you tell them apart? Take the quiz!

1. Which saint is known as the Little Flower?
2. Which saint was a friend of St. John of the Cross?
3. Which saint was a spoiled child before she entered the convent?
4. Which saint is a Doctor of the Church?

Answers:

1. St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus – She saw herself as the “little flower” of Jesus.
2. St. Teresa of Avila – St. John was also a Spanish mystic and Carmelite.
3. St. Thérèse of Lisieux – She was the youngest daughter and very beautiful. 
4. Both! St. Teresa of Avila was named Doctor of the Church in 1970, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux in 1997.