"Therese," a new film depicting the life of St. Therese of Lisieux opens Oct. 1 in select theatres throughout Southern California. Funded fully by the donations of St. Therese devotees and others seeking "positive Christian images" in film, "Therese" has been officially endorsed by the Vatican as a positive family film.

Directed by veteran filmmaker Leonardo Defilippis (known for his stage portrayals of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Maximilian Kolbe), "Therese" (from Luke Films) tells the story of how the young Therese Martin saved souls and touched lives in her "little way."

The youngest of five sisters, all of whom eventually became nuns, Therese entered the Lisieux Carmel convent at 15 after her audacity of asking the Pope for permission to enter the convent convinced church officials to allow her to join her two older sisters despite her young age.

During her years at the convent Therese's sincerity and holiness were tested but others soon recognized her devotion and dedication. While in the convent Therese wrote her autobiography, "Story of a Soul," which inspired Defilippis in his making of "Therese."

Following her death from tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of 24, Therese's devotion to God and serving others was recognized nearly 30 years later when she was canonized in 1925. Today her spiritual insights on humility, obedience, unconditional love and confidence in God have crossed all borders making St. Therese one of the most popular saints of all time.

Lindsay Younce stars in the title role; Defilippis portrays her father, Louis; Linda Hayden plays Therese's surrogate mother, Pauline; Samantha Kramer is Sister Augustine, the nun with whom Therese clashes; and Judith Kaplan plays Mother Marie De Gonzague, superior of the Carmelite monastery that Therese enters.

Theaters scheduled to show "Therese" include the Regal Renaissance Stadium 14 in Alhambra, not far from where St. Therese of Lisieux Church is located. The parish was the first in the U.S. named for St. Therese.

---Michelle Gahee