A listing of prayers and devotions to St. Therese for her powerful prayers and intercession. As Catholics, we believe in the intercession of the saints, who readily pray and assist us from Heaven.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as “The Little Flower,” was a French Carmelite nun who lived a short but spiritually impactful life in the late 19th century. Born in 1873, she entered the Carmelite convent at the remarkably young age of 15, where she developed her famous “Little Way” – a spiritual path that focused on doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. Despite never leaving her convent and dying of tuberculosis at just 24 years old in 1897, her posthumously published autobiography “Story of a Soul” became a spiritual classic that resonated worldwide with its message of simple holiness and childlike trust in God. Her practical approach to spirituality and accessible way of achieving sanctity led to her being declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997, one of only four women to receive this rare honor.
St. Therese of Lisieux, in her short life, offered a profound spiritual guide to holiness that continues to inspire and direct countless souls. Her Little Way reminds us that the path to sainthood is not about doing extraordinary things, but about doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.
Listen As You Read
Among the revered saints of the Catholic Church, few shine as brightly or touch as many hearts as St. Therese of Lisieux. Known affectionately as “The Little Flower,” this remarkable young woman, who lived for just 24 years in the late 19th century, left an indelible mark on Catholic spirituality. Her profound wisdom, encapsulated in her “Little Way,” continues to inspire millions worldwide, offering a path to holiness accessible to all.
The Life of St. Therese
Born in 1873 in Alençon, France, Therese Martin was the youngest of nine children, five of whom survived infancy. Raised in a devout Catholic family, Therese experienced the loss of her mother at the tender age of four, an event that deeply shaped her spiritual journey.
At the age of 15, Therese entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, following in the footsteps of her older sisters. It was here, within the confines of the cloister, that she developed her “Little Way” of spiritual childhood, a profound yet simple approach to living the Gospel.
The Little Way: Sanctity in Simplicity
The essence of St. Therese’s spirituality lies in her “Little Way.” This approach teaches that one can achieve holiness not through grand gestures or heroic deeds, but through small acts of love in everyday life. St. Therese believed that by offering up our daily tasks, struggles, and joys to God with great love, we can achieve sanctity.
Key aspects of the Little Way include:
1. Trust in God’s Mercy: St. Therese had unwavering confidence in God’s love and forgiveness.
2. Spiritual Childhood: She advocated approaching God with the simplicity and trust of a child.
3. Present Moment: St. Therese emphasized living fully in the present, seeing each moment as an opportunity to love God.
4. Little Sacrifices: She taught that small acts of self-denial, done with love, have great spiritual value.
The Impact of St. Therese
Despite never leaving her convent after entering, St. Therese’s influence has been global. Her autobiography, “Story of a Soul”, published posthumously, became a spiritual classic.
In 1997, she was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II, one of only four women to receive this honor.
St. Therese’s teachings resonate with many because they make holiness seem attainable. Her “Little Way” reminds us that sanctity is not reserved for the extraordinary few, but is a call for all Christians in their everyday lives.
Lessons for Today’s Catholics
In our fast-paced, achievement-oriented world, St. Therese’s “Little Way” offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective; calling us to:
1. Embrace Simplicity: Find God in the ordinary moments of life.
2. Practice Mindfulness: Be fully present in each moment, seeing it as an opportunity to love.
3. Cultivate Gratitude: Appreciate the small blessings in life.
4. Trust in Divine Mercy: Remember that God’s love is unconditional and ever-present.
St. Therese of Lisieux, in her short life, provided a profound roadmap to holiness that continues to guide and inspire. Her “Little Way” reminds us that the path to sainthood is not about doing extraordinary things, but about doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. As we navigate our own spiritual journeys, may we find inspiration in the simple yet profound wisdom of the Little Flower, trusting that in our own little ways, we too can become saints.
This “My Novena Rose Prayer” invokes the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as “The Little Flower of Jesus” or “Little Therese of the Child Jesus.” In this prayer, the petitioner entrusts their personal intentions to St. Therese, asking her to send a rose from Heaven as a sign of love.
The “Chaplet of St. Therese” (“The Little Flower Rosary”) is a prayer devotion honoring St. Therese de Lisieux, also known as “The Little Flower,” a French Carmelite nun who lived from 1873 to 1897. St. Therese is known for her simple, practical approach to spiritual life, which she called the “Little Way.”
The chaplet consists of 24 beads representing St. Therese’s 24 years of life. On each bead, the “Glory Be” prayer is said to thank the Holy Trinity for St. Therese’s life and example. The chaplet concludes with a prayer asking for St. Therese’s intercession, often requesting a “rose” as a sign of her heavenly assistance.
St. Therese of the Infant Jesus, Patroness of Missions, pray for us.
Pray the Glory Be prayer 24 times to honor the Holy Trinity in thanksgiving for St. Therese’s 24 years of life on Earth.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
St. Therese, the Little Flower, please pick me a rose from the Heavenly Garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore, and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more. Amen.
O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.
You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you “Prodigy of Miracles… the greatest saint of Modern Times.”
Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition… (mention in silence here) … and to carry out your promises of spending heaven doing good on earth… of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses.
Little Flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence.
St. Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea “to be made known everywhere” and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen.
