Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin was born in Alençon, France, on the second day of January, 1873. Drawn from her earliest years to the religious life, she entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux at the tender age of fifteen. In the cloister, she lived a life of profound humility, evangelical simplicity, and unwavering confidence in God. By her words and her example, she taught the novices the way of spiritual childhood, a path of trust and absolute surrender to the love of God our Father.
Offering her life for the salvation of souls and the propagation of the Faith, she welcomed the trial of a grievous illness, which she bore with heroic patience. She departed this life for her heavenly reward on September 30, 1897, at the age of twenty-four, promising to spend her heaven in doing good upon earth, and to let fall a shower of roses. Pope Pius XI canonized her in 1925 and later proclaimed her, along with Saint Francis Xavier, the universal Patroness of the Missions. In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Universal Church.
The Little Way
The spirituality of Saint Thérèse, which she called her Little Way, consists not in performing great and heroic deeds for God, but in accomplishing the most ordinary duties of daily life with extraordinary love. It is a path of confidence and love, wherein the soul, recognizing its own nothingness, casts itself with childlike abandon into the arms of our Merciful Father, trusting wholly in His goodness and His desire for our sanctification. She teaches us that holiness is accessible to all, for it is found in the humble acceptance of God’s will and in the loving fulfillment of every small task for His glory.
Prayers to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Thérèse
O glorious St. Thérèse, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your miraculous intercession. Thou who art so powerful in obtaining every need of body and soul, turn thine eyes of mercy upon me. I am in need of your assistance, and I confidently place my trust in thee. As a victim of God’s merciful love, you did desire to spend your heaven in doing good upon earth. Fulfill now thy promise, and obtain for me from our Heavenly Father the graces I seek through thy hands.
(Here mention your petitions)
O Little Flower of Jesus, who didst ever find your joy in the smallest sacrifices, teach me thy little way of trust and love, that I may one day join thee in praising the mercies of the Lord for all eternity. Amen.
The Novena Rose Prayer
O Little Flower of Jesus, who didst promise to send a shower of roses from the heavens, I beseech thee to obtain for me from God the graces I hope for from His infinite goodness. Never-failing in thy promise, thou dost continually pour down upon the world the roses of thy heavenly favors. I ask thee, therefore, dear Saint, to hear my prayer and to present my petitions to the throne of God. Let a rose from thee be a sign to me that my prayer is heard, and join thy supplications to mine that I may receive the mercy and help of the Most High. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897), a French Discalced Carmelite nun, is one of the most beloved saints of the modern era. Her spirituality, known as the ‘Little Way,’ teaches that holiness is attainable for everyone, not through great deeds, but through simple acts of love and trust in God in the ordinary moments of life. Her autobiography, ‘The Story of a Soul,’ published after her death, revealed this profound yet simple path to sanctity, inspiring countless souls. Devotion to her spread rapidly, and she is widely invoked for her powerful intercession, often signified by the reception of roses as a sign of her favor.