As part of our Mission Action Plan (Signs of the Kingdom), Holy Habits invites us to find ways of drawing near to God in the everyday moments of life. For December and January, we take inspiration from St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), known affectionately as The Little Flower, whose “little way” shows us that even the smallest things, when offered to God, can change the world.
Thérèse was a young Carmelite nun who never travelled far or did anything the world might call “great.” Yet she became one of the Church’s most beloved saints. Why? Because she discovered holiness not in grand gestures, but in small, hidden acts of love, done simply, faithfully, and joyfully for Jesus.
She wrote, “What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.” Her little way reminds us that every quiet act of service can become a prayer, an offering of love that brightens the world around us.
In the busy months of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, when life can feel rushed or overwhelming, Thérèse’s wisdom invites us to slow down and remember that the heart of holiness is found in the ordinary.
How to Practise Thérèse’s Little Way
- Morning Offering:
Begin each day by saying:
“Lord, I offer you today, every thought, every word, every act of love.”
Ask God to help you see something holy in the small ordinary things. - Hidden Kindness:
Choose one quiet act of love each day that no one will notice, tidying something, writing a note of encouragement, speaking gently when it’s hard. Do it for God alone. - Evening Thankfulness:
Before bed, think of both how you gave the love of God and where you received it, and thank God for it. Notice how love has been at work in little ways.
Why Try It?
Thérèse’s Little Way reminds us that the love of God is not measured by size or success, but by sincerity. Even the smallest act, if done with love, becomes part of God’s great work of renewal.
In the season when we celebrate the child in the manger, love made small and vulnerable, and follow the star to Bethlehem, Thérèse teaches us to find Christ in the ordinary and the overlooked.
So, this winter, as you light your candles and greet the New Year, let your life shine with little lights of love.
For in God’s eyes, no act of love is ever little.