Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux
A beautiful nine-day prayer to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, seeking her intercession for spiritual growth, trust in God, and the grace to follow her "Little Way" of love and simplicity.
About the Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, known as "The Little Flower," was a French Carmelite nun who lived from 1873 to 1897. She is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church, known for her "Little Way" - a path to holiness through simple, everyday acts of love and trust in God.
This novena honors St. Thérèse's spiritual approach of doing small things with great love and trusting completely in God's mercy. She promised to spend her heaven doing good on earth, sending down a "shower of roses" to those who ask for her intercession.
St. Thérèse teaches us that holiness is not about doing great things, but about doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. Her message of spiritual childhood - approaching God with the trust and simplicity of a child - continues to inspire millions around the world.
Through this novena, we seek to grow in trust, love, and the grace to follow her Little Way in our daily lives, finding holiness in the ordinary moments and trusting in God's infinite love.
Daily Prayers
Trust in God
Learning to trust completely in God's love and mercy
The Little Way
Embracing simplicity and doing small things with great love
Childlike Confidence
Approaching God with the trust of a child
Spiritual Childhood
Growing in spiritual simplicity and dependence on God
Love and Sacrifice
Offering our daily sacrifices with love
Hidden Life
Finding holiness in ordinary, hidden acts of love
Confidence in Prayer
Trusting that our prayers are heard and answered
Rose Petals
Believing in the shower of roses from heaven
Eternal Love
Completing our novena with gratitude and hope
How to Make an Excellent Novena
To make this novena most effectively, follow these guidelines:
- Pray with confidence: St. Thérèse teaches us to trust completely in God's love
- Embrace simplicity: Focus on doing small acts of love each day
- Be consistent: Pray the novena at the same time each day
- Offer your intentions: Bring your specific needs and desires to God through St. Thérèse
- Practice the Little Way: Look for opportunities to do ordinary things with extraordinary love
- Trust in the shower of roses: Believe that St. Thérèse will intercede for you
Remember that St. Thérèse promised to spend her heaven doing good on earth. Trust in her intercession and in God's infinite mercy and love.
The Three Theological Virtues
Faith
Trust completely in God's love and mercy, as St. Thérèse did
Hope
Believe in the shower of roses and God's promises
Charity
Do everything with love, following the Little Way
What is the Devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux?
The devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux centers on her "Little Way" - a spiritual path that emphasizes doing ordinary things with extraordinary love. Unlike other spiritual approaches that focus on great penances or extraordinary experiences, St. Thérèse's way is accessible to everyone.
Key aspects of devotion to St. Thérèse include:
- Spiritual Childhood: Approaching God with the trust and simplicity of a child
- The Little Way: Finding holiness in small, everyday acts of love
- Confidence in God: Trusting completely in God's mercy and love
- Hidden Sacrifices: Offering small sacrifices and inconveniences with love
- Shower of Roses: Believing in her promise to send spiritual graces from heaven
St. Thérèse's autobiography, "Story of a Soul," reveals her spiritual journey and has inspired millions. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997, making her one of only four women to receive this honor.
Her message is particularly relevant today: we don't need to do great things to be holy. We simply need to do everything with love, trusting in God's mercy and following the path of spiritual childhood that leads to heaven.