St Thérèse's "genius consists in leading us to what is central, essential and indispensable," the pope wrote in an apostolic letter published Oct 15.

The young saint, whose life and writings focused on love and following a "little way" of holiness, "shows that, while it is true that all the Church's teachings and rules have their importance, their value, their clarity, some are more urgent and more foundational for the Christian life," he said.

"From heaven to earth, the timely witness of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face endures in all the grandeur of her little way," Francis wrote.

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The canonisations of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin were announced by Cardinal Angelo Amato during a conference last month, according to a Catholic News Service report.

"Thanks be to God, in October two spouses, parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux, will be canonised," the cardinal, who heads the Congregation for Saints' Causes, told a conference.

Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin were married in 1858.

The couple had nine children, but four of them died in infancy.

The other children all entered religious life.

Zelie Martin died of cancer in 1877, at the age of 45, and her husband died when he was 70 in 1894.

The couple was beatified in 2008.

They are believed to be the first parents of a saint to be beatified, highlighting the important role parents play in their children's human and spiritual upbringing.

According to the Lisieux shrine's website, a miracle being studied for the couple's canonisation involves a little girl in the diocese of Valencia, Spain.

Born prematurely and with multiple life-threatening complications, the child suffered a major brain haemorrhage, which could have caused irreversible damage.

Her parents prayed for the couple's intercession. The little girl survived and is healthy.

A decree from the Pope recognising the miracle is expected to be signed before Easter.

A consistory of cardinals where the Pope would announce the Martins' canonisations will probably take place in June, a Vatican official said.

Pope Francis has a special devotion to St Therese.

He used to keep a photo of the 19th-century French Carmelite nun on his library shelf when he was Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He has said that when he has a problem, he asks St Therese "not to solve it, but to take it in her hands and help me accept it".

As a sign that she's heard his request, he said, "I almost always receive a white rose".

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Image: canalblog