Millions have been touched by St. Thérèse's desire to be a humble, "little flower" that would be a delight to God's "eyes."

Her autobiography was first published in 1897 after her death at the age of twenty-four. Combining charming descriptions of her family with accounts of her foibles, her sense of humor, radical honesty, and intense devotion to God made the book an instant bestseller. This Paraclete Heritage Edition includes every word of the original text.

"[Jesus] wanted to create great saints who could be compared to lilies and roses. But He also created little ones, and these ought to be content to be daisies or violets destined to gladden God's eyes when He glances down at His feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wants us to be. . . ."

The most popular saint of the first half of the 20th century, St. Therese of Lisieux was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II.

Robert J. Edmonson holds a Certificate of French Studies from the University of Montpellier (France) and an M.A. in French from Middlebury College. He is also the translator of the bestselling Paraclete edition of Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God.