Novena to
Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus 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 your hands... (Mention specific requests) St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your "Little Way" each day. Amen. |
Saint Therese, The Little Flower
Therese Martin was born January 2, 1873 in Alencon, France to Louis and Zelie Martin. She was the youngest of nine children, only five out of the nine children reached adulthood. When Therese was 4 years old, her mother died leaving her sisters and father to care for her. At the age of 15, Therese entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux. It is that time that she took the religious name Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Through her autobiography entitled "Story of a Soul", Therese describes her life. She loved flowers and saw seasons as God's sign of love for us. Theresa saw herself as a "little flower of Jesus", just being herself among the other flowers in God's garden of life. On September 30, 1897, Therese died after a long struggle with tuberculosis at the young age of 24. "My mission - to make God loved - will begin after my death," said Therese. "I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses." Theresa's inspiration and presence touched many people. Pope Pius XI canonized Therese on May 17, 1925. Her celebrated feast day is October 1st. |