TEXT ONLY PAGE: ALL ST. THERESE
PRAYERS TO PRINT
MIRACULOUS INVOCATION TO ST. THERESE
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX
A MORNING PRAYER WRITTEN BY ST. THERESE
PRAYER TO ST. THERESE
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. THERESE 2
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
PRAYER FOR CHILDREN
MY NOVENA ROSE PRAYER
THE LITTLE FLOWER CHAPLET
PRAYER OF ST. THERESA OF JESUS TO THE HOLY FACE
HOLY FACE PRAYER FOR SINNERS
HOLY FACE PRAYER: VARIATION
PRAYER OF SAINT THERESE PATRONESS OF FRANCE
NOVENA TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
NOVENA OF GRACE
PRAYERS FOR FIRST COMMUNION
NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE LITTLE FLOWER
TWENTY-FOUR
"GLORIA BEs TO THE FATHER" NOVENA TO ASK FOR ANY FAVOR
ST. THERESE'S ACT OF OBLATION AS A VICTIM OF DIVINE
LOVE
LITANIES AND LITTLE THERESE PRAYER
MIRACULOUS INVOCATION TO ST. THERESE
O glorious Saint Therese, whom Almighty God has
raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I implore thy Miraculous
Intercession.
So powerful art thou in obtaining every need of body and soul our Holy
Mother Church proclaims thee a "Prodigy of Miracles . . . the Greatest
Saint of Modern Times."
Now I fervently beseech thee to answer my petition
[mention here] and to carry out thy promises of
spending Heaven doing good on earth . . .
of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses.
Henceforth, dear Little Flower, I will fulfill
thy plea "to be made known everywhere" and I will never cease to lead
others
to Jesus through thee. Amen.
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX
St. Therese, in thy brief, mortal career thou
didst become a model of angelic purity, of daring love, and of
whole-hearted
surrender to Almighty God.
Now that thou dost enjoy the reward of thy virtues,
turn thy eyes upon us who trust in thee. Obtain for us the grace to
keep
our hearts and minds pure and clean.
Grant us to feel in every need the power of thine
intercession; give us comfort in all the bitterness
of this life, especially at its end, that we
may be worthy to share eternal happiness with thee
in Paradise. Amen.
A MORNING PRAYER WRITTEN BY ST.
THERESE
O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of
this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus.
I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart,
my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its
infinite
merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into
the furnace of Its Merciful Love.
O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those
whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to
accept
for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we
may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. THERESE
O little St. Theresa of the Child Jesus,
who during thy short life on earth didst become a mirror of angelic
purity,
of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now
that
thou rejoicest in the reward of thy virtues, cast a glance of pity on
me
as I leave all things in thy hands.
Make my troubles thine own --- speak
a word for me to our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of
special love thou wert------to
that Queen of Heaven "who smiled on thee at the dawn of life."
Beg her as the Queen of the Heart of Jesus to
obtain for me by her powerful intercession,
the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment,
and that she join with it a blessing that may
strengthen me during life. Defend me at the hour
of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity.
MY NOVENA ROSE PRAYER
O little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me
a rose from the Heavenly gardens and send it to me as
a message of love.
O little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favors
I now place with confidence in thy hands . . .
(Mention specific requests)
St. Therese, help me to always believe as thou didst, in
God's great love for me, so that I might imitate thy
"Little Way" each day. Amen.
Say for nine days.
THE LITTLE FLOWER CHAPLET
This chaplet consists of 24 beads commemorating the 24 years of St.
Therese's life, and 1 additional bead, on which the following short
prayers is recited:
St. Therese of of the Infant Jesus, Patroness of Missions, pray for
us.
On the other 24 beads is said the Glory be to the Father . . . etc.
to honor the Holy trinity in thanksgiving for having given us the
Little Saint who lived in this world but 24 years.
The use of the of this chaplet is encouraged by the Carmelite
Fathers. You may use your regular Rosary beads by counting off 24 of
the Hail Mary beads on the first 2 decades and 4 from the third decade,
saying the Glory Be prayer.
Simply use the next bead [bead 5 of this third decade] as the one
for reciting the short prayer above.
I have often used regular Rosary beads for various chaplets.
PRAYER OF ST. THERESA OF JESUS
[LISIEUX]
TO THE HOLY FACE
O Jesus, Who in Thy bitter Passion didst become
"the most abject of men, a man of sorrows," I venerate Thy Sacred Face
whereon there once did shine the beauty and sweetness of the Godhead;
but
now it has become for me as if it were the face of a leper!
Nevertheless,
under those disfigured features, I recognize Thy infinite Love and I am
consumed with with the desire to love Thee and make Thee loved by all
men.
The tears which well abundantly in Thy sacred eyes appear to me as so
many
precious pearls that I love to gather up, in order to purchase the
souls
of poor sinners by means of their infinite value.
O Jesus, Whose adorable Face ravishes my heart,
I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy Divine Image and to set me on
fire with Thy Love, that I may be found worthy to come to the
contemplation
of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen.
HOLY FACE PRAYER FOR SINNERS
by St. Therese of Lisieux
ETERNAL FATHER, since Thou hast given me for
my inheritance the Adorable Face of Thy Divine Son, I offer that face
to Thee and I beg Thee, in exchange for this coin of infinite value,
to forget the ingratitude of souls dedicated to Thee and to pardon all
poor
sinners.
PRAYER TO THE HOLY FACE OF JESUS: VARIATION
O adorable Face of Jesus, sole beauty which ravishes my heart,
vouchsafe to impress on my soul Thy Divine Likeness, so that it may not
be possible for Thee to look on me without beholding Thyself. O my
Beloved, for love of Thee I am content not to see here on earth the
sweetness of Thy Glance, not to feel the kiss of Thy Sacred Lips, but I
beg Thee to inflame me with Thy Love, so that it may consume me, and
that soon Therese of the Holy Face may behold Thee forever in Heaven.
PRAYER OF SAINT THERESE PATRONESS OF FRANCE
(Since, with Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Therese of the
Child Jesus is proclaimed as patroness of France the following prayer
was addressed to her.)
Powerful patron of France, asked by the Immaculate Virgin, Queen of
France, to save her privileged nation, return to us with Saint Martin
of Tours, Saint Louis, King of France, with Saint Genevieve, the
patroness of Paris and Saint Joan of Arc, to drive the Spirit of
Darkness from the Kingdom. [For] we do not want Satan the adversary,
the spirit of revolt and unbelief to rule over us. But we want the
Prince of Peace to rule over us, Jesus our only Master and well beloved
Savior. Amen.
NOVENA IN HONOR OF THE LITTLE FLOWER
NOTE: After the Special Prayer for
each day, say the Concluding Prayers given at the end of the Novena.
Thoughts for the day are taken from the words of the Little Flower.
PRAYERS TO BE SAID EACH DAY
Come Holy Ghost and fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in them
the fire of Divine love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let Us Pray
O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of
the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be
ever truly wise and rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ Our
Lord. Amen.
O my God! I believe in Thee: do Thou strengthen my faith. All my hopes
are in. Thee: do Thou secure them. I love Thee: teach me to love Thee
daily more and more.
THE ACT OF CONTRITION
O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest
all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains. of Hell,
but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and
deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy
grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life.
PRAYER
O Lord Who hast said: Unless you become as little children you
shall
not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to
follow, in humility and simplicity of heart, the footsteps of the
virgin, blessed Therese, that we may attain to an everlasting reward.
Amen.
SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR EACH DAY
First Day
St. Therese, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach
thee
with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before thee my
desires, and beg that through thine intercession they may be realized.
Did thou not promise to spend thy Heaven doing good upon earth? Grant
me according to this promise the favors I am asking from thee.
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: CONFIDENCE IN GOD.
We can never have too much confidence in the good God Who is so
powerful and so merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for.
What offends Jesus, what wounds His Sacred Heart, is lack of confidence
in Him.
If you are nothing, do you forget that Jesus is everything? You have
only to lose your nothingness in His Infinity and think only of loving
Him.
Second Day
O dear little Saint, now that thou seest the crucified Jesus in Heaven,
still bearing the wounds caused by sin, thou knowest still more clearly
than thou didst upon earth the value of souls, and the priceless worth
of
that Precious Blood which He shed to save them. As I am one of those
children for whom Christ died, obtain for me all the graces I need in
order to profit by that Precious Blood. Use thy great power with our
Divine Lord and pray for me.
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: SIN.
The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend Thee.
By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least
voluntary fault.
Yes, even if I had on my conscience a possible crime, I should lose
none of my confidence; my heart breaking
with sorrow should go and throw myself into the arm of my Saviour. The
remembrance of my faults humbles and makes me afraid to rely on my
strength. which is nothing but weakness.
Third Day
Dear Little Flower, make all things lead me to Heaven and God. Whether
I look at the sun, the moon, the stars and the vast expanse in which
they float, or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of
the forest, the beauties of the earth so full of color and so glorious,
may they speak to me of the love and power of God; may they all sing
His praises in my ear. Like thee may I daily love Him more and more in
return for His gifts. Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with
others, that I may offer to Jesus many little sacrifices.
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: THE USE OF GOD'S GIFTS.
How much benefit have I
received from the beauties of nature, bestowed in such abundance. How
they raise me to Him Who placed such wonders in this land of exile
which is only to last a day.
O sparkling nature, if I did not see God in thee, thou wouldst be
naught but a great tomb.
With Thy little hand which caresses Mary, Thou sustaineth the universe
and
bestow life; and Thou thinkest of me, O Jesus my little King.
I do not wish creatures to have one atom of my love. I wish to give all
to Jesus, since He
has shown me that He alone is perfect happiness.
Fourth Day
Dear Little Flower of Carmel, bearing so patiently the
disappointments and delays allowed by God, and preserving in the depths
of thy soul an unchanging peace because thou didst seek only God's
Will,
ask for me complete conformity to that adorable Will in all the trials
and disappointments of life. If the favors I am asking during this
Novena are pleasing to God, obtain them for me. If not, it is true I
shall feel the refusal keenly, but I too wish only God's Will, and pray
in the words thou didst use, that it "may ever be perfectly fulfilled
in me."
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: ABANDONMENT TO GOD.
I fear only one thing -- to keep my own will; take it, my God, for I
choose all that Thou choosest.
The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content
with what Jesus gives us. I can demand nothing with fervor. except the
perfect accomplishment of God's will in my soul.
O my Beloved, I offer myself to Thee, that Thou may perfectly
accomplisheth
in me Thy holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an
obstacle in their path.
Fifth Day
Little Flower of Jesus, from the very first moment of thy religious
life thou didst think only of denying thyself in all things so as to
follow
Jesus perfectly; help me to bear patiently the trials of my daily life.
Teach me to make use of the trials, the sufferings, the humiliations,
that come my way, to learn to know myself better and to love God more.
Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: PATIENCE IN SUFFERINGS.
I do not fear trials sent
by Jesus, for even in the most bitter suffering we can see that it is
His loving hand which causes it. When we are expecting nothing but
suffering, we are quite surprised at
the least joy; but then suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys
when we seek it as a precious treasure.
Far from resembling those beautiful Saints who practiced all sorts of
austerities from childhood, my penance consisted in breaking my
self-will, in keeping back a sharp reply, in doing little kindnesses to
those about me, but considering these deeds as nothing.
Sixth Day
St. Therese, Patroness of the Missions, be a great missionary
throughout the world to the end of time. Remind our Master of His Own
words, "The harvest is great, but the laborers are few."
Thy zeal
for souls was so great, obtain a like zeal for those now working for
souls, and beg God to multiply their numbers, that the millions to whom
Jesus is yet unknown, may be brought to know, love and follow Him.
Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: ZEAL FOR SOULS.
Let us work together for the
salvation of souls. We have only the day of this life to save souls and
to give them to the Lord as proofs of our love.
I tell Jesus that I am glad not to be able to see, with the eyes of my
soul, this beautiful Heaven which awaits me, in order that He may
vouchsafe to open it forever to poor unbelievers.
I
cannot perform brilliant works; I cannot preach the Gospel or shed my
blood. But what matter? My brothers work in place of me, and I, a
little child, keep very close to the royal throne. I love for those who
are carrying on the warfare.
My deeds, my little sufferings, can make God loved all over the world.
Seventh Day
O little martyr of Love, thou knowest now even better than
in the days of thy pilgrimage that Love embraces all vocations; that it
is Love alone
which counts, which unites us perfectly to God and conforms our will
with His. All thou didst seek on earth was love; to love Jesus as He
had
never yet been loved. Use thy power in Heaven to make us love Him. If
only we love Him we shall desire to make Him loved by others; we shall
pray much for souls. We shall no longer fear death, for it will unite
us to Him forever. Obtain for us the grace to do all for the love of
God, to give Him pleasure, to love Him so well that He may be pleased
with us as He was with thee.
Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: LOVE OF GOD.
I will love God alone and will not
have the misfortune of attaching myself to creatures, now that my heart
perceives what He has in store for those who love Him. What attracts me
to the Kingdom of Heaven is the call of our Lord, the
hope of loving Him as I have so desired and the thought that I shall be
able to make Him loved by a great number of souls who will bless Him
forever.
When Christ said, "Give Me to drink," it was the love of His poor
creatures that He, the Creator of all things, desired. He thirsted
for love.
Remember that the dear Jesus is there in the Tabernacle expressly
for you, for you alone. Remember that He is consumed with a desire to
come
into your heart.
Eighth Day
Dear St. Therese, like thee I have to die one day. I beseech thee,
obtain from God, by reminding Him of thine own precious death, that I
may have a holy death, strengthened by the Sacraments of the Church,
entirely resigned to the most holy Will of God, and burning with love
for Him. May my last words on earth be "My God, I love Thee."
Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: DEATH.
It says in the catechism that death is
nothing but the separation of the soul and body. Well, I have no fear
of a separation which will unite me forever with the good God. I am
happy to die because I shall be able to help souls who are dear to me,
far more than I can here below.
Life is not sad; it is very joyous. If you say, "This exile is sad," I
understand you. We are wrong to give the name "life" to something which
will end; it is only to the things of Heaven that we should apply this
beautiful name.
Ninth Day
Dear little St. Therese, by love and suffering while on
earth, thou didst win
the power with God which thou doth now enjoy in Heaven. Since thy life
there
began, thou hast showered down countless blessings on this poor world;
thou hast been the instrument made use of by thy Divine Spouse to work
countless miracles. I beg of thee to remember all my wants. Sufferings
must come to me also, may I use them to love God more, and
follow my Jesus better. Thou art especially the little missionary of
love. Make me love Jesus more, and all others for His sake. With all
my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity for the wonderful blessings
conferred on thee, and upon the world through thee.
Intercede for us all the days of our life but especially during this
Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through
thine intercession. Amen.
Thought for the day: THE MISSION OF THE LITTLE FLOWER.
I do not intend
to remain inactive in Heaven. I want to work for the Church and for
souls. I have asked this of God and I am certain that He will grant my
request. I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. This is not
impossible,
since the Angels, though always enjoying the Beatific Vision, watch
over us. No, I cannot be at rest until the end of the world.
I beseech Thee, O Jesus, to cast Thy Divine glance on a great number of
little souls. I beg Thee to choose in this world a legion of little
victims, worthy of Thy Love.
CONCLUDING PRAYERS
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our
petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever
glorious and blessed Virgin.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray.
Grant O Lord God, we beseech Thee that we Thy servants may rejoice in
continual health of mind and body; and through the glorious
intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may be freed from present
sorrow and enjoy eternal gladness, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, Who didst inflame with Thy Spirit of Love, the soul of Thy
Servant, Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love Thee
and make Thee much loved.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest
in peace. Amen.
NOVENA TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
In Order to Obtain Graces Through the Intercession of St. Therese of
the Child Jesus
O Eternal Father, Who art in Heaven, where Thou dost crown the merits
of those who in this life serve Thee faithfully, for the sake of the
most pure love Thy little daughter Therese of the Child Jesus had for
Thee, so as all but to bind Thee to give her whatever she desires,
seeing that while on earth she always did Thy Will, incline Thine ears
to the petitions which she offers up to Thee on my behalf, and hear too
my prayers by granting me the grace I ask.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
O Eternal Son of God, Thou Who has promised to reward the least service
done to Thee in the person of our neighbor, cast a glance of gentle
love on Thy little spouse Therese of the Child Jesus, who with such
great zeal had ever at heart the salvation of souls, and for
the sake of all she has done and suffered, lend a willing ear to her
wish of "spending her time in Heaven doing good upon earth," and grant
me the grace I plead for so earnestly from Thee.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
O Eternal Holy Spirit, Who didst make perfect with so many graces, the
beloved soul of Blessed Therese of the Child Jesus, I beseech Thee for
the sake of the fidelity she showed in ever corresponding with Thy
graces, to incline Thine ear to the prayers she offers to Thee on my
behalf, and having before Thee her promise of "letting fall from Heaven
a shower of roses," mercifully grant me the grace of which I stand in
such great need.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
CONCLUDING PRAYER TO BE SAID EACH DAY OF THE NOVENA
St. Therese of the Child Jesus who during thy short life on earth
became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of
whole-hearted abandonment to God, now that thou rejoicest in the reward
of thy virtues cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in thy
hands. Make my troubles thine own --- speak a word for me to our Lady
Immaculate, whose flower of special love thou wert --- to that Queen of
Heaven "Who smiled on thee at the dawn of life." Beg her, as Queen of
the Heart of Jesus, to obtain for me by her powerful intercession, the
grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment, and that she join with it
a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of
death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.
NOVENA OF GRACE
O Little Child of God the Father, child of predilection,
hearken to our prayer. With special love does He listen to thy
pleading. On earth thou didst go to Him unafraid. Confidence was thy
guiding star. Thou didst never refuse the Good God anything and He
hast placed thee "among the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." Near
His throne He will smile upon His "Little Queen." Grant us then the
Grace to follow thy little way of complete trust in God
and self-surrender. Attune our souls to thine own sweet song of
praise.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
O Little Victim of God the Son, "thou didst wish to suffer for Love's
sake and for Love's sake even to rejoice." God's sweet Will was thy
sole desire. Thus didst thou run to His loving arms. One with Him thou
didst become a Victim --- a Victim of Love. Grant us also the spirit of
loving resignation to the Holy Will of God and the Grace to be numbered
in thy legion of Little Victims of Love.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
O Little Spouse of God the Holy Ghost, the
spirit of love filled thy soul. Led by the Spirit, even as thy Lover
Jesus thou didst breathe and live solely for Him. Thy childlike
strategy made Love captive. Thy littleness charmed Him. Help us, too,
to
become little and to love Him with childlike confidence so as to sing
sweetly our canticle of love.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.
PRAYERS FOR FIRST COMMUNION
NOTE:
Used by St. Therese --- in the Fourth Chapter of her Autobiography, St.
Therese makes
several references to the book from which these prayers were taken. It
was given to her by her sister Pauline.
Prayer to the Child Jesus
O Jesus, dear Holy Child, my only treasure, I abandon myself to Thine
every desire. I seek no other joy than that of calling forth Thy sweet
smile. Vouchsafe me the graces and the virtues of Thy Holy Childhood,
so that on the day of my birth into Heaven the Angels and Saints may
recognize in Thy Spouse --- Therese of the Child Jesus.
O Jesus, loving Friend of little children, Who
said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me," hear my prayer and
fulfill my desires. I am soon going to make my First Communion, and on
that day I want my soul to be like the gardens of
Heaven, where bloom the loveliest and most sweetly-scented flowers.
But, O dear little Jesus, I know I can do nothing without the help
of Thy grace. Therefore I beg of Thee to enable me to realize this my
loving desire.
To Our Blessed Lady
O my dearest Mother, to thee also I confide the little garden of my
heart. Come and make it bloom with beautiful fragrant flowers with
which to make a cradle of love for Jesus, and let this cradle make thee
forget the cold crib of Bethlehem.
To St. Joseph
Dear St. Joseph, do not seek any longer a home
for the Divine Child. The time of the straw and the cold is over now.
The stable must not be there any more. Jesus will be born in my heart
in the midst of lilies and roses.
OTHER PRAYERS
PRAYER IN HONOR OF ST. THERESE
O Father in Heaven, Who through St. Therese of the Child Jesus dost
desire to remind the world of the merciful love that fills Thy heart,
and of the childlike trust that we should have in Thee, we thank Thee
for having crowned with so great glory Thine ever faithful child, and
for giving her such wondrous power to bring unto Thee day by day a
multitude of souls who will bless Thee eternally.
Little St. Therese, remember thy promise to do good on earth; shower
down abundantly thy roses on those who invoke thee, and obtain for us
from God the graces we hope for from His infinite goodness.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
O Eternal Father we offer Thee the Precious' Blood of Jesus in
thanksgiving for all the graces Thou hast bestowed on Thy beloved
child, Little Therese. We thank Thee for ever preserving the baptismal
innocence of her pure soul and for sweetly calling her, a tender child,
to the cloister of Carmel; we thank Thee for the grace with which Thou
didst flood her soul with heavenly light and inflame her heart with
burning love of Thee. We thank Thee for the grace with whi<;h Thou
didst make her humble and meek, kind and patient and ever resigned to
Thy holy Will. We thank Thee for the grace with which Thou didst make
her victorious in her temptations against Faith that beset her soul
during the last years of her life and plunged her into a sea of
suffering.
We offer the Precious Blood of Jesus a thousand times to Thee, O
Heavenly Father, for these and all the graces that made St. Therese of
the Child Jesus so beautiful in Thy sight and so lovable to our hearts.
O grant us the grace to imitate her whom we love, to be pure and humble
and meek and resigned to Thy holy Will; to be Thy devoted children, O
Heavenly Father, and worthy brothers and sisters of Thy beloved child,
Little Therese of the Child Jesus.
May God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Ghost be ever
glorified through thee. St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Amen.
PRAYER FOR CHILDREN
"Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. xviii. 3).
O Eternal Father, Thine Only-Begotten Son, the dear Child Jesus,
belongs
to me since Thou hast given Him. I offer Thee the infinite merits of
His Divine Childhood, and I beseech Thee in His Name to open the gates
of Heaven to a countless host of little children who will forever
follow this Divine Lamb.
ST. THERESE'S ACT OF OBLATION AS A VICTIM OF
DIVINE LOVE
This Act of Oblation St. Therese carried in a copy of the Holy Gospels,
near to her heart night and day.
O my God, Most Blessed Trinity, I desire to love Thee and to
make Thee
loved, to labor for the glory of Holy Church by saving souls on earth
and by delivering those who suffer in Purgatory. I desire to accomplish
Thy Will perfectly and to
attain to the degree of glory which Thou hast prepared for me in Thy
Kingdom; in a word, I long to be a Saint; but I know that I am
powerless, and I implore Thee, O my God, to be Thyself my sanctity.
Since Thou hast so loved me as to give me Thine Only Son to be my
Saviour and my Spouse, the infinite treasures of His merits are mine;
to Thee I offer them with joy, beseeching Thee to behold me only
through the eyes of Jesus and in His Heart burning with love.
Again, I offer Thee all the merits of the Saints, in Heaven and on
earth, their acts of love and those of the holy angels; and finally I
offer Thee, O Blessed Trinity, the love and merits of the Holy Virgin,
my most dear Mother; to her I entrust my oblation, begging her to
present it to Thee.
Her Divine Son, my well-beloved Spouse, during the days of His life on
earth told us: "If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give
it to you." [John xvi. 23] I am, then, certain that Thou wilt hearken
to my desires.
My God, I know it; the more Thou willest to give, the more dost Thou
make us desire.
Immense are the desires that I feel within my heart, and with
confidence I call upon Thee to come and take possession of my soul. I
cannot receive Thee in Holy Communion as often as I would; but Lord,
art Thou not Almighty? Remain in me as in the Tabernacle; never leave
Thy little victim.
I long to console Thee for the ingratitude of the wicked, and I pray
Thee to take from me the power to displease Thee. If through frailty
sometimes I fall, may Thy divine glance purify my soul immediately,
consuming every imperfection, like to fire which transforms all things
into itself.
I thank Thee, O my God, for all the graces Thou hast showered on me, in
particular for having made me pass through the crucible of suffering.
It is with joy that I shall behold Thee on the Last Day, bearing Thy
sceptre, the cross; since Thou hast deigned to give me for my portion
this most precious cross, I have hope of resembling Thee in Heaven, and
of seeing the sacred stigmata of Thy Passion shine in my glorified
body.
After exile on earth, I hope to enjoy the possession of Thee in the
eternal Fatherland, but I have no wish to amass merits for Heaven; I
will work for Thy Love alone, my sole aim being to give Thee pleasure,
to console Thy Sacred Heart, and to save souls who will love Thee for
ever.
At the close of life's day I shall appear before Thee with empty
hands, for I ask not, Lord, that Thou wouldst count my works. ... All
our justice is tarnished in Thy sight; therefore I desire to be
clothed with Thine Own Justice, and to receive from Thy Love the
eternal possession of Thyself. I crave no other throne nor other crown
but Thee, O my Beloved.
In Thy sight time is nothing; one day is as a thousand years. [Ps.
lxxxix. 4] Thou canst in an instant prepare me to appear before Thee.
In order to live in one act of perfect love, I offer myself as a
victim to Thy merciful Love, and beg Thee to consume me unceasingly,
letting flow into my soul the floods of infinite tenderness which are
contained in Thee, so that I may become a martyr of Thy Love, O my God.
May this martyrdom, having first prepared me to appear before Thee,
break life's thread at last, and may my soul takes its flight
unhindered to the eternal embrace of Thy merciful Love.
I desire, O my Beloved, to renew this offering to Thee an infinite
number of times, with every beat of my heart, "till the shadows
retire," [Canticle of Canticles, iv. 6]
and I can tell Thee my love, face to face through all
eternity. Amen.
TWENTY-FOUR
"GLORIA BEs TO THE FATHER" NOVENA
to Saint Theresa of
the Child Jesus Asking for Necessary Favors
ORIGIN
OF THE NOVENA
Father Putigan, a Jesuit,
began the Novena to Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus on December 3,
1925,
asking the glorious Saint for one great favor. For nine days he recited
the "Glory be to the Father" twenty-four
times thanking the Holy Trinity for the favors and Graces showered on
Saint
Theresa during the twenty-four years of her life on earth. The priest
asked
Saint Theresa, that as a sign that his novena was heard he would
receive
from someone a freshly plucked rose. On the third day of the novena, an
unknown person sought out Father Putigan and presented him with a
beautiful
rose.
Father Putigan began
the second novena on December 24 of the same year, and as a sign, asked
for a white rose On the fourth day of this novena one of the
Sister-nurses
brought him a white rose saying:
"Saint Theresa sent
you this."
Amazed, the priest asked:
"Where did you get this?"
"I was in the chapel,"
said the Sister, "and as I was leaving I passed the altar above which
hangs
the beautiful picture of Saint Theresa. This rose fell at my feet. I
wanted
to put it back into the bouquet, but a thought came to me that I should
bring it to you."
Father Putigan received
the favors he had petitioned of the Little Flower of Jesus, and
promised
to spread the novena to increase devotion to, and bring her more honor.
In this fashion, from
the ninth to the seventeenth of each month, those who want to
participate
in the Twenty-four "Glory be to the Father's" novena, should add to
those
of their own, the intentions of all who are at that time making the
novena,
thus forming one great prayer in common.
THE NOVENA
The Twenty-four "Glory
be to the Father's" novena can be said at any time. However, the ninth
to the seventeenth or the month is particularly recommended, for on
those
days the petitioner joins in prayer with all those making the novena.
The "Glory Be to the
Father" praising the Holy Trinity is said twenty-four times each of the
nine days in thanksgiving for all the blessings and favors given to
Saint
Theresa or the Child Jesus during the twenty-four years or her life. In
addition, this or a similar prayer may be used:
Holy Trinity, God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, I thank Thee for all the
blessings
and favors Thou hast showered upon the soul of Thy servant Theresa of
the
Child Jesus, during the twenty-four years she spent here on earth, and
in consideration of the merits of this Thy most beloved Saint, I
beseech
Thee to grant me this favor, if it is in accordance with Thy most Holy
Will and is not an obstacle to my salvation."
After this Prayer, follow
the twenty-four "Glory be to the Father's" between each of which may be
included this short prayer:
"Saint Theresa of the
Child Jesus, pray for us.
With Ecclesiastical
approval.
"Charity is the EXCELLENT
WAY that leads most surely to God."
"Let us go forward
in peace, our eyes upon Heaven, the only goal of our labors."
LITANIES
1---
Contemporary
2---
Traditional
3---
Little Litany with
Little
Therese Prayer
1. Litany of St. Therese of the Little Flower
For Private Recital Only.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us.
St. Therese of the Child
Jesus,
pray for us.
St. Therese of the Holy
Face,
pray for us.
St. Therese, child of Mary,
pray for us.
St. Therese, devoted to
Joseph,
pray for us.
St. Therese, angel of innocence,
pray for us.
St. Therese, model child,
pray for us.
St. Therese, pattern of
religious,
pray for us.
St. Therese, flower of Carmel,
pray for us.
St. Therese, converter of
hardened hearts,
pray for us.
St. Therese, healer of the
diseased,
pray for us.
St. Therese, filled with
love for the Blessed Sacrament,
pray for us.
St. Therese, filled with
Angelic fervor,
pray for us.
St. Therese, filled with
an Apostle's zeal,
pray for us.
St. Therese, filled with
loyalty to the Holy Father,
pray for us.
St. Therese, filled with
a tender love for the Church,
pray for us.
St. Therese, filled with
extraordinary love for God and neighbor,
pray for us.
St. Therese, wounded with
a Heavenly flame,
pray for us.
St. Therese, victim of Divine
Love,
pray for us.
St. Therese, patient in
sufferings,
pray for us.
St. Therese, eager for humiliations,
pray for us.
St. Therese, consumed with
love,
pray for us.
St. Therese, rapt in ecstasy,
pray for us.
Who desired always to be
as a little child,
pray for us.
Who taught the way of spiritual
childhood,
pray for us.
Who gave perfect example
of trust in God,
pray for us.
Whom Jesus filled with a
desire for suffering,
pray for us.
Who found perfection in
the little things,
pray for us.
Who refused God nothing,
pray for us.
Who sought bitterness in
this life,
pray for us.
Who told us to call you
little Theresa,
pray for us.
Who offered her life to
God for priests and missionaries,
pray for us.
Who gained countless souls
for Christ,
pray for us.
Who promised, after her
death, a shower of roses,
pray for us.
Who foretold: "I will
spend my heaven doing good upon earth,"
pray for us.
Pray for us, St. Therese.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Let us pray.
O Lord, Who hast said: Unless you
become as little children you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven;
grant
us, we beseech Thee, so to follow in humility and simplicity of heart
the
footsteps of St. Therese, the virgin, that we may obtain everlasting
rewards.
Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.
2. Litany of the Little Flower of Jesus
(For Private Devotion)
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost,
have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.
[After each invocation below, say:] Pray for us.
Holy Mary,
Our Lady of Victory,
St. Thérèse, servant of God,
St. Thérèse, victim of the merciful love of God,
St. Thérèse, spouse of Jesus,
St. Thérèse, gift of Heaven,
St. Thérèse, remarkable in childhood,
St. Thérèse, example of obedience,
St. Thérèse, resigned to the Will
of God,
St. Thérèse, lover of peace,
St. Thérèse, lover of
patience,
St. Thérèse, lover of gentleness,
St. Thérèse,
heroice in sacrifice,
St. Thérèse, generous in forgiving,
St. Thérèse, benefactress of the needy,
St. Thérèse, lover of Jesus,
St. Thérèse, devoted to the Holy Face,
St. Thérèse, consumed with Love
of God,
St. Thérèse, advocate in extreme cases,
St. Thérèse,
persevering in prayer,
St. Thérèse, powerful advocate with God,
St. Thérèse, showering roses,
St. Thérèse, doing good upon earth,
St. Thérèse, answering all prayers,
St. Thérèse, lover of Holy Chastity,
St. Thérèse, lover of voluntary poverty,
St. Thérèse, lover of obedience,
St. Thérèse, burning with zeal for God's glory,
St. Thérèse, inflamed with the Spirit of Love,
St. Thérèse, child of benediction,
St. Thérèse, perfect in simplicity,
St. Thérèse, remarkable for trust in God,
St. Thérèse, gifted with unusual intelligence,
St. Thérèse, never invoked without some answer,
St. Thérèse, teaching us the sure way,
St. Thérèse, victim of Divine Love.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Pray for us, O Little Flower of Jesus,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
LET US PRAY
O God Who didst inflame with Thy Spirit of Love the soul of Thy
Servant, St. Thérèse, of the Child Jesus, grant that we
also may love Thee and make Thee much loved. Amen.
3. Her Little Litany
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Ghost,
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
[After each invocation below:]
Pray for us.
Queen, Beauty of Carmel,
Our Lady of Victories,
Our Lady of the Smile,
Little Thérèse,
Snow-white Flower,
Flower of Carmel,
Lily of the Cloister,
Rose of Lisieux,
Innocent Daisy,
His Little Flower,
Child of Jesus,
Victim of Love,
Fire of Charity,
Little one of God the Father,
Beloved of God the Son,
Spouse of God the Holy Ghost,
Ravisher of Hearts,
Star of brightness,
Heart of Gold,
Model of Littleness,
Little Evangelist,
Sister of Missionaries,
Lover of the Holy Face,
Guide of the Little Way,
Messenger of Spiritual Childhood,
Saint of the Hour,
Wonder of the Age,
Scatterer of Roses,
Exemplar of Trust in God,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
Pray for us, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer to the Little Flower
[Little Thérèse Prayer]
"Oh little Thérèse
of the Child Jesus, who during thy short life on earth became a mirror
of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted
abandonment to God, now that thou rejoicest in the reward of Thy
virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in thy
hands. Make my troubles thy own --- speak a word for me to our Lady
Immaculate, whose flower of special love thou wert --- to that Queen of
Heaven 'who smiled on thee at the dawn of life.' Beg her as Queen of
the Heart of Jesus to obtain for me by her powerful intercession the
grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment, and that she join with it
a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of
death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity."
Little Thérèse ---
May thy winning smile
Cheer us all the while.
Little Thérèse ---
May thy childlike trust
Show us too we must.
Little Thérèse ---
May thy little way
Guide us every day.
Little Thérèse ---
In thy loving prayer
May we ever share.
Little Thérèse ---
Lover of Mary mild
Keep up always as her child.
Little Thérèse ---
Simple as the dove,
Look down upon us from above.
Little Thérèse ---
Let thy holy power
Be with us every hour.
Little Thérèse ---
The fragrance of thy roses
A Heaven to us discloses.
Little Thérèse ---
May their fragrance sweet
Be with us till we meet.
And then when life is o'er ---
Oh, to see thee evermore!
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