Named Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux enjoys worldwide influence, giving visibility and fairness to women who, through their actions, promoted the values of peace.
France – Paris (08/12/2021 14:42, Gaudium Press) Every two years, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) honours outstanding men and women for promoting human values in the service of peace.
The figure chosen for the 2022-2023 period is Saint Thérèse of Lisieux whose 150th anniversary of her birth will be celebrated in 2023. The motion was presented by the Shrine of Lisieux in France. Paris had also proposed the figure of Gustave Eiffel.
Lisieux, the second leading pilgrimage site in France
“Thérèse of Lisieux is a nun who died at the age of 24, known mainly for her posthumous publications, including ‘Story of a Soul.’ This celebration will help give greater visibility and fairness to women who, through their actions, promoted the values of peace,” states the proposal made last March to Unesco’s Executive Committee.
“Given the fame of Thérèse of Lisieux in the Catholic community (with the city of Lisieux being the second leading pilgrimage site in France, after Lourdes), the celebration of her birth can be an opportunity to highlight the role of religious women confroting poverty and the promoting inclusion, in line with the goals of sustainable development.”
St. Thérèse, a leading figure in the promotion of universal values
“The recognition by Unesco of Thérèse of Lisieux opens new perspectives for the spread of her message of life, peace and love to the ‘remotest islands’, following the expression used by herself, all the way to the ‘peripheries‘ according to Pope Francis’ expression,” noted Father Olivier Ruffray, rector of the Lisieux shrine.
“Known throughout the world thanks to her works and her witness, Thérèse contributed to the promotion of universal values. By the quality and depth of her life, she spoke a language that transcends borders, that of Love,” emphasizes Father Thierry Hénault-Morel, rector of the Louis and Zélie Martin Shrine in Alençon.
Worldwide Influence of Saint Therese of Lisieux
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux enjoys worldwide influence. She was named Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997, and since then, more than 120 religious and cultural initiatives around the world have been organized. Her major work, ‘Story of a Soul,’ has been translated into 80 languages.
The pilgrimages of her relics are a universal witness to her message of peace. In some countries, it has achieved historical impact: in the Philippines in 2000, where Teresa’s message reached prisoners on death row at the request of the prison authorities. No other executions have taken place since then. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
