Alhambra, CA
Carmel of St. Teresa
Discalced Carmelite Nuns
October 1 St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church
Therese Martin was born in Alecon in France in 1873. She entered the Carmel of Lisieux at the age of 15, where she lived in the greatest humility, evangelical simplicity and confidence in God.
By her words and examples she taught the novices these same virtues. Offering her life for the salvation of souls and the spread of the Church, she died on September 30, 1897.
She was canonized in 1925 and successive popes have referred to her as the greatest saint of modern times. She was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1999.
She is co-patroness of the Missions and secondary patron of France.
October 15 St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church
Teresa was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She entered the Carmelites and made great progress in the way of perfection and was granted mystical revelations.
Wishing to share in the spiritual renewal of the Church of her time, she began to live her religious life more ardently and soon attracted many companions, to whom she was like a mother.
She also helped in the reform of the friars, and in this had to endure great trials. She wrote books which are renowned for their depth of doctrine and which showed her own spiritual experiences.
She died at Alba in 1582. In 1622, she was canonized by Pope Gregory XV, and in 1970 named
a Doctor of the Church by Pope Paul VI.
