This famous marble statue, representing St. Therese asking her father for his permission to enter the Carmelite order, is located in the garden of the family home in Lisieux. The sculptor has tried to capture some of young Therese's enthusiasm for entering religious life and the father's recognition of the personal sacrifice that giving his permission will entail. Though 10 children were born to Louis and Zelie Martin, all four boys and one girl died in infancy. All five of the remaining daughters entered the convent, and Therese was the youngest.