St. Therese of the Child Jesus was proclaimed Doctor of the Church by late Pope John Paul II October 19, 1997. She joined the other two women, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Catherine of Siena, in receiving the highest honor the Catholic Church could bestow on one of her daughters. Carmelites now have three Doctors of the Church, with St. John of the Cross, making the third one. This proclamation did not come without raised eyebrows from those who considered St. Therese lovable but not material enough for being a Doctor of the Church. She did not produce voluminous writings which would place her in the category of the REAL Doctors up in heaven. But those who knew Therese, and whose lives were touched through her intercession, will beg to differ. Her simple way of spiritual childhood continues to be the "elevator" which raises many to the heart of God. According to Pope John Paul II, she rediscovered the Gospel truths, and gifted the world with the deep insight revealed to the humble and little. A beautiful apostolic letter entitled
"Divini Amoris Scientia" puts in a nutshell why St. Therese deserves to be among the greats in heaven.
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