Prepare for the Church’s commemoration of St. Thérèse of Lisieux on Oct. 1 with this novena beginning on Sept. 22. Or use it any time you might want to beg the Little Flower’s intercession. Each day’s prayer begins with an opportunity for reflection based on a brief selection from St. Thérèse’s spiritual autobiography “Story of a Soul,” followed by a short prayer asking that her witness may bear fruit in our lives.
Day 1
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “Jesus points out to me the only way which leads to Love’s furnace — that way is self-surrender — it is the confidence of the little child who sleeps without fear in its father’s arms”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, give me clarity of vision to know you are the way, truth and life, giving us the model of love on which to pattern my life.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 2
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to see that any greatness within me comes only from your life within me — for without you, I am nothing.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 3
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “A word, a kindly smile, will often suffice to gladden a wounded and sorrowful heart.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to see that each moment of every day is an opportunity for us to bring your love to others.
Our Father…
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 4
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “For me, prayer is a burst from my heart, it is a simple glance thrown toward heaven, a cry of thanksgiving and love in times of trial as well as in times of joy.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to cling to prayer as a means to growing closer to you, and be faithful in its practice.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 5
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “My strength lies in prayer and sacrifice; they are invincible weapons, and touch hearts more surely than words can do, as I have learned by experience.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to make prayer and sacrifice a priority so that we might share in your saving work.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 6
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “We must abandon the future into the hands of God.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to place my trust in you and believe with all my heart that everything works for the good when we love you above all else.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 7
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “Jesus may hide himself, but we know He is there.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to place myself regularly in your Eucharistic presence, so that I may become like you.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 8
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “No harm can come to me since, in whatever happens, I see only the tender hand of Jesus.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to understand your purpose in our lives and to know your care for us.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Day 9
Reflecting with St. Thérèse: “I’m not relying on my own merits, as I have none, but I put my hope in Him who is goodness and holiness Himself.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, by the intercession of St. Thérèse, help me to persevere in my call to holiness, step by step, day by day, especially in the little things.
Our Father …
Hail Mary …
Glory Be …
Michael R. Heinlein is editor of Simply Catholic.