St. Thérèse, canonized 100 years ago on May 17, 1925, shows us how to love God and others in the little things.

Thérèse’s “Little Way” shows us that we can “Do all that you do with love” as we follow the Lord’s unique call.

Pope St. John Paul II recounted the witness of the Little Way so beautifully when he visited Lisieux, France, the hometown of Thérèse, in 1980:

“The ‘little way’ is the way of ‘holy childhood.’ In this way, there is something unique, a genius of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. There is at the same time the confirmation and the renewal of the most fundamental and most universal truth. What truth of the Gospel message is indeed more fundamental and more universal than this: God is our Father and we are his children?

“This most universal truth, this reality, was also ‘reread’ anew with the faith, hope and love of Thérèse of Lisieux . It was in a certain sense rediscovered with the interior experience of her heart and the form taken by her whole life, only twenty-four years of her life. …

“To trust in God like Thérèse of Lisieux means to follow the ‘little way.’ … Let us give thanks for St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Let us give thanks for the profound, simple, and pure beauty that was manifested in her to the Church and to the world. This beauty enchants. And Thérèse of Lisieux has a special gift for enchanting with the beauty of her soul. Even though we all know that this beauty was difficult and that she grew up in suffering, she never ceases to delight the eyes of our souls with her special charm. … [L]ittle Thérèse, who, in her brief and hidden but so rich life, uttered with particular force: ‘Abba! Father!’ Thanks to her, the whole Church has rediscovered all the simplicity and freshness of this cry, which has its origin and source in the heart of Christ himself.”

Fruitful meditation, indeed, from John Paul II; other themes have also been on my heart in recent days as I reflect on my favorite saint:

She understands that love counts.

“Let us love, since that is what our hearts were made for”: timeless advice from this dear saint, whose mission, of course, was love.

“That superabundant share of divine light and grace enkindled in Thérèse so ardent a flame of love that she lived by it alone, rising above all created things, till in the end it consumed her; so much so that shortly before her death she could candidly avow she had never given God anything but love,” Pope Pius XI explained in his canonization homily.

She teaches us to follow boldly the prompting of the Lord.

The Little Flower went to Rome seeking the approval of Leo XIII to enter Carmel early. As she recalled the papal audience in her autobiography:

“Well, my child,” the Holy Father replied, looking kindly, “do what the Superiors tell you!” I made a final effort, stating in a suppliant voice: “Oh! Holy Father, if you say yes, everybody will agree!” He gazed at me steadily, speaking these words and stressing each syllable: “Go … go … You will enter if God wills it!”

Soon after, permission was indeed granted to her by the bishop.

Thérèse’s trust in this instance and others affirms that we must go to Christ with our needs, while always “resting quietly on the heart of Jesus.”

She also reminds us that God created us each beautifully unique.

God’s plan is unique to each of us, so we should strive toward holiness in that unique way — just like our friend Thérèse.

As she wrote: “The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm. If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.” Be who God wants you to be.

“Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will and being just what God wants us to be,” Thérèse explains, while promoting up to pray:

“Jesus, help me simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person.”