A Hundred Years of Hope: St. Thérèse’s Canonisation Jubilee

The year 2025 is a moment of profound grace for the Catholic Church. It marks the centenary of the canonisation of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (17 May) and coincides with the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis, themed “Pilgrims of Hope.” In his Bull of Indiction, Spes non confundit (“Hope does not disappoint”), Pope Francis reminded us that Christian hope is rooted in Christ and is never in vain.

A Saint of Trust and Simplicity

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, affectionately known as the “Little Flower”, continues to shine as a model of hope. Her life and writings reveal that sanctity is possible through childlike trust in God’s mercy. In a world marked by fear and exhaustion, her message is one of peace and surrender.

Pope Francis had noted that Christian hope is not mere optimism but a deep trust in the faithful love of God. “Hope,” he says, “is the salt of the daily journey and the light that illuminates the steps of the future.” Thérèse embodied this hope with remarkable purity. “I expect everything from the good God,” she wrote, “as a little child expects everything from its father.”

Hope in Suffering

Despite facing great personal suffering — the early loss of her mother, spiritual dryness, and a painful illness — St. Thérèse remained anchored in God. During her final months, she was enveloped in spiritual darkness, yet still found peace. “I am at peace,” she wrote. Her testimony reminds us that hope is strongest when it persists through trial.

The Bold Message of the Little Way

St. Thérèse’s message is disarmingly simple: holiness is not reserved for the few. “Jesus does not demand great actions from us,” she said, “but simply surrender and gratitude.” Her “Little Way” is a universal path to sanctity, open to all who trust in God’s love, regardless of weakness or status.

A Deep Devotion in Goa

If the world has loved St. Thérèse for her simplicity, Goa has embraced her as one of its own. Schools in Vasco, Calangute, Raia, and Candolim bear her name. She is the patroness of the Carmelite Monastery chapel in Margao, and of philosophy students at the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol. The well-known Konkani weekly Vauraddeancho Ixtt is placed under her patronage. Her inspiration continues in the Pilar Sisters’ formation house in Navelim, and the Lar de Santa Terezinha, an orphanage run by the Carmelites. In 1997, when Thérèse was declared a Doctor of the Church, the Carmelites celebrated with the operetta Bhagevont Therese – Pormollit Sallok, written by Fr. Ave Maria Afonso, and staged across Goa, Mangalore, and Mysore.

A Centenary of Relevance and Grace

As we journey through the Jubilee Year, St. Thérèse walks with us. Her message is clear: we can trust, we can love, we can hope. The centenary of her canonisation is not merely a commemoration, but a call — to walk the “Little Way” and rediscover that hope does not disappoint.

By Br. Malvino Alfonso OCD