Thérèse lost her mother at a very young age of four. Since she was the youngest of nine children, she developed a strong attachment to her older sister. At age 13, inspired by her sisters who had joined the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, she felt a strong desire to enter religious life. Despite being initially refused due to her youth, she eventually gained permission, even appealing directly to Pope Leo XIII. At the age of 15, Thérèse entered the Carmelite cloister, taking the name Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. She lived a simple, contemplative life within the convent, dedicated to prayer and sacrifice. It was during this time that she developed her "Little Way" of holiness, focusing on performing small, everyday tasks with immense love for God. Thérèse believed that true sanctity lay not in grand deeds, but in a childlike trust in God's mercy and the humble offering of oneself in every moment. During her final years, Thérèse dealt with tuberculosis, which caused intense physical suffering and periods of spiritual doubt. Despite these trials, she maintained faith and offered her sufferings for the salvation of souls. She died on September 30, 1897, at twenty-four, with her final words, "My God, I love You!" After her death, Thérèse's autobiography, The Story of a Soul, was published and became internationally known. Her "Little Way" resonated with many, showing holiness is attainable through small acts of love performed with trust. Thérèse promised to "spend her heaven doing good on earth" and "let fall a shower of roses". Many have reported experiencing roses as a sign of her intercession. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and later declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997. Today, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower, remains a widely beloved and influential saint, inspiring millions with her path to holiness.