St. Therese Novena

While there are several different novenas to St. Therese, here is a shorter, more accessible version. Comment below with any answered prayers from this wonderful saint! 

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 your request) 

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.

Who Was St. Therese?

St. Therese of Lisieux is one of only four female Doctors of the Church and one of the most famous Catholic saints. Her “Little Way” to Heaven has inspired generations to increase in holiness. Despite this, she remains one of the most relatable saints of modern times, having struggled with very human weaknesses and living a very ordinary life. 

Famous for sending her devotees flowers, the Little Flower is a powerful intercessor and friend and has performed many miracles in my lifetime. While her intercession in Heaven is powerful and miraculous, her time on earth seemed rather ordinary from human eyes. 

Therese was born into a large, loving family, the daughter of a watchmaker and a lace maker. Her parents had suffered multiple tragedies, having lost two baby boys and one baby girl, and their five-year-old daughter within three years. 

St. Therese was their last child, whom they feared they would lose too due to her poor health. But against all odds, she overcame her illness and grew up to be an expressive and emotional child. She was known to be rather stubborn and mischievous, getting extremely upset when she would not get her way. But she was also capable of great joviality and happiness. As she grew, she grew in virtue. 

Therese experienced many tragedies throughout her life. 

At the young age of four, St. Therese lost her mother. Her previously sunny disposition disappeared, and she became sensitive and withdrawn. Her older sister, Pauline, became a second mother figure to her. When Pauline entered the Carmelite Monastery, Therese was but nine years old and heartbroken once again. She fell very ill after Pauline left, and the doctors were at a loss. In immense suffering, Therese turned to a statue of Our Lady and prayed for relief. She recounts how the Virgin’s face became radiant, and Therese was cured. 

She became determined to also join the Carmelites – not to follow her sister, but because she felt called to serve Jesus in that way.

Many years of spiritual trial followed, including struggling with scrupulosity. Her sister, Marie, also joined the Carmelites, Therese, now having lost her third mother figure, was still unable to join the convent. At fifteen, Therese faced challenges in attempting to join the convent but was eventually successful. There, her spiritual life flourished, and she grew closer and closer to Jesus and Mary. 

Here, she discovered the “Little Way” to Heaven. Like elevators that quickly lift passengers from floor to floor without effort, Therese knew she could not perform great deeds for God, and so looked for a spiritual “elevator.” Using inspiration from Scripture, she became like a little child spiritually and performed small deeds with great love. She knew she was incapable of good deeds on her own, and so gave herself to Christ so that He could work through her. 

More and more, Therese grew in charity at Carmel. She patiently bore the other nuns’ shortcomings and irritating habits. She even devoted herself to assisting the crotchety nun that no one else wanted to help. 

At the young age of twenty-four, Therese fell ill with tuberculosis. At the request of Prioress Mother Marie de Gonzague, St. Therese wrote her life story, titled Story of a Soul. She died with immense peace, filled with love of God. She promised to spend her time in Heaven doing good on earth – and she has made good on her promise. The Carmelites began to receive favors from her just months after her death, and devotion to the saint spread after Story of a Soul was published. 

Today, St. Therese is famous for her “Shower of Roses” and is one of the more well-known saints. Her help is known to be miraculous and quick, sometimes sent with a rose.