In 1897, hardly twenty-four year old, Thérèse Martin died of tuberculosis in her Normandy convent. From a large family, her mother died of breast cancer when Thérèse was only four. Her father, a master watchmaker, died after years in mental hospital. These writings show how it is that this young French Carmelite, in such a short life, has inspired millions. In 1995, the Church proclaimed her a Doctor of the Church – the only woman apart from St Catherine of Siena and Teresa of Avila.