10/01/2026
By age 10, St. Thérèse of Lisieux had lost all three women she loved as mothers.
Her wet nurse, Rose, cared for her as an infant. Her mother, Zélie, died when Thérèse was four. Her sister Pauline, who stepped in as a second mother, left home to enter the Carmelite convent. Soon after, Thérèse fell into a mysterious illness—hallucinations, tremors, and fear so severe she couldn't be left alone. Her doctor couldn't name it.
On Pentecost Sunday in 1883, her sisters knelt by her bed and prayed before a statue of Our Lady. Thérèse saw the Blessed Virgin smile at her, and the illness lifted.
Most healing won't look like hers. But the Little Flower's story is a reminder of why DMU forms mental health professionals who make room for the Divine Physician to work alongside the care they give.
Today, October 1, the Church celebrates her feast. St. Thérèse is one of the eight patrons of Divine Mercy University.
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. 🌹
Read her full story: https://divinemercy.edu/saints-of-divine-mercy-university-therese-of-lisieux/
