Jesus said it plainly: "Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Of all the saints in the history of the Church, none understood this more deeply — or lived it more completely — than Thérèse of Lisieux.

She called her path the Little Way. Not the way of great penances or heroic deeds, but the way of a child who trusts completely, loves simply, and runs to God with empty hands. She walked that way for 24 years, and then she went home — and the whole world followed her.

This beautifully laminated St. Thérèse card carries the prayer rooted in Christ's own words about spiritual childhood — an invitation to walk in the footsteps of the Little Flower.

Card Details:

• Laminated cardstock with gold colour accents
• 2.5" × 4.5" — fits perfectly in a wallet, Bible, or pocket
• Classic St. Thérèse art image on the front
• Full prayer text on the back
• Available in packs of 3, 10, 25, 50, and 100

Prayer to St. Thérèse — Little Children

O Lord, who hast said:
"Unless you become as little children,
you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven,"
grant us, we beseech Thee,
so to walk in the footsteps of Thy blessed servant Thérèse,
that by humility and simplicity of heart
we may attain to the everlasting rewards
which Thou hast promised to the humble.
Amen.

Patron Saint Of:

• 🌹 Missions and missionaries — co-patron with St. Francis Xavier, by decree of Pope Pius XI
• 🌹 France — co-patron alongside St. Joan of Arc
• 🌹 Florists and flower growers
• 🌹 The sick and suffering
• 🌹 Aviators
• 🌹 Russia
• 🌹 Those seeking simplicity and humility in the spiritual life

Feast Day: October 1st

The Little Way — Holiness for Everyone

Thérèse Martin was born in 1873 in Alencon, France, the youngest of five daughters. She entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux at 15 — after personally petitioning Pope Leo XIII during a papal audience in Rome — and spent nine years there before dying of tuberculosis at 24.

In those nine years, she developed a spirituality that would change the Church. The Little Way is not about doing great things. It is about doing small things with great love. It is about trusting God completely, like a child who has no resources of her own but knows her Father will provide. It is about offering every ordinary moment — every scrubbed floor, every difficult conversation, every moment of pain — as a prayer.

"Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love." — St. Thérèse

She was canonized in 1925 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 — one of only four women to hold that title. Her autobiography, Story of a Soul, has never gone out of print.

A Personal Note from Shawn

I'm Shawn Kilgarlin — wife, mother of four, mental health clinician, and Life Coach. The Little Way is the spirituality I return to again and again in my work. When people feel they have nothing to offer — no strength, no resources, no grand gestures — Thérèse reminds them that a small act of love, offered with a whole heart, is enough. It is more than enough. Every ShopCatholic card is part of my mission of giving, funding Christmas gifts for those in need and serving those in addiction recovery. Thank you. 🙏

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the "Little Way" of St. Thérèse?
The Little Way is Thérèse's spiritual path of radical simplicity and trust. Rather than striving for great penances or heroic deeds, she taught that holiness is found in the small, ordinary moments of daily life — offered to God with love. She compared herself to a little child who cannot climb the steep staircase of perfection alone, but who trusts that God will carry her. This spirituality is accessible to everyone, which is why her Story of a Soul has resonated with millions of readers across every walk of life.

What are notable churches and shrines dedicated to St. Thérèse?
• Basilica of St. Thérèse, Lisieux, France — one of the largest basilicas in the world, drawing over 2 million pilgrims annually. A breathtaking monument to the Little Flower.
• Carmel of Lisieux, Lisieux, France — the convent where she lived, prayed, and died. Open to pilgrims year-round.
• National Shrine of St. Thérèse, Darien, Illinois, USA — the only national shrine to St. Thérèse in the United States.
• Shrine of St. Thérèse, Juneau, Alaska, USA — a stunning island shrine in the Alaskan wilderness, one of the most unique pilgrimage sites in America.
• St. Therese of Lisieux Church, Montmartre, Paris, France — honoring the Little Flower in the heart of Paris.
• St. Thérèse Parish, Chicago, Illinois, USA — one of many beloved American parishes bearing her name.
• St. Therese Parish, Collingwood, Ontario, Canada — a vibrant Canadian parish community in her honor.

Can I order these in bulk for my parish, school, or retreat?
Absolutely! Cards are available in packs up to 100 for standard orders. For larger needs, our custom print option starts at 1,000 cards, takes approximately 5 days, and can be ordered in any quantity. When Pope Francis visited the United States, he ordered 15,000 "Praying with Five Fingers" cards — a reminder of just how powerful a simple prayer card can be. Contact us to discuss your custom order. 🌹