"Petals from the Little Flower"

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, lived a short and hidden life in the Carmelite cloister of Lisieux, France. After her death, her ideas exploded onto the world. Her Little Way of Spiritual Childhood was radical in its simplicity; her way to sanctity is available to all. Named a Doctor of the Church, she followed her vocation to the cloister, but her great love was the missions. She is the patroness of all the missions.

The Basilian Fathers Missions present this little booklet with thanks to our friends and co-missionaries. Through the saint’s own words and through meditations on her missionary zeal and love for the Blessed Virgin, St. Therese inspires us in our own daily struggles. May you be blessed with these petals from the Little Flower.

You may obtain a free copy of the booklet, "Petals from the Little Flower", written and compiled by Ann Ball, for any donation to the missionary efforts of the Basilian Fathers Missions.  Please send your request and donation to:

The booklet contains Ann’s essay "The Virgin Smiled at Her;" the true story of how a plaster statue became a living presence for our Little Flower. Through the saint’s own words, it explains the missionary zeal of the saint named Principal Patroness of All Missionaries. Therese promises, "I shall be very happy to work with you for the salvation of souls."

Everyone is called to be a missionary and the Church is continually on mission. "Every disciple of Christ has the obligation to do his part in spreading the faith. [Ad Gentes, IV, 23.]"

Even in this, like Therese we must follow the Little Way: "How will I show my love, since love is proven through charitable acts? I have no other means of proving my love for You [Jesus] than that of strewing flowers, that is, not allowing one little sacrifice to escape, not one look, one word, profiting by all the smallest things and doing them through love... and in this way I shall strew flowers before Your throne."

Please write to the Basilian Fathers Missions today. Join us as a co-missionary in spreading the Good News in Mexico, Colombia and St. Lucia by sending a tax-deductible donation.