O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick a rose for me 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. (Here mention your request.) St. Thérèse, 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.
A traditional prayer to St. Thérèse.
O wondrous St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who, in thy brief earthly life, didst become a mirror of angelic purity, of courageous love, and of whole-hearted surrender to Almighty God, now that thou art enjoying the reward of thy virtues, turn thine eyes of mercy upon us who trust in thee.
Obtain for us the grace to keep our hearts and minds pure and clean like unto thine, and to detest in all sincerity whatever might tarnish ever so slightly the luster of a virtue so sublime, a virtue that endears us to thy heavenly Bridegroom. Ah, dear Saint, grant us to feel in every need the power of thy intercession; give us comfort in all the bitterness of this life and especially at its end, that we may be worthy to share eternal happiness with thee in paradise. Amen.
V. Pray for us, O blessed Thérèse,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
A traditional prayer.
St. Therese of the Child Jesus (1873-1897), also known as St. Therese of Lisieux, entered a Carmelite monastery at the young age of 15. Her full religious name was Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, and she loved to contemplate the Holy Face of Jesus. This great saint of modern times is best known for her “Little Way,” a way of becoming holy in the ordinariness of daily life, in the little things of life; it is spiritual childhood, love of God, a way of trust and of self-surrender to God our loving Father.
Many also call on her through the Saint Therese Rose Prayer, invoking her intercession and symbolizing her promise to “let fall a shower of roses.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church quotes her words: “I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth” (956). Her last words were “My God, I love Thee.” She was canonized in 1925, and her feast day is October 1.
St. Thérèse described prayer in words the Catechism places at the start of its teaching on prayer: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558).
Her Little Way is holiness in ordinary life. Pope Francis said the same: “To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. Are you called to the consecrated life? Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain” (Gaudete et Exsultate, 14).
Let us ask our dear St. Thérèse to obtain for us from God the graces we need to become saints totally in love with Jesus Christ.
Share this prayer
Please know that every prayer request shared here is kept strictly confidential. Your request will go to the Brothers, who will intercede for you. We will place your intentions before our Eucharistic King during our daily hours of adoration.
