The feast of my sweet friend, St. Therese, is October 1. I have been looking forward to it, but I'm terrible at remembering to begin the Novena! Thanks to Elizabeth and Jessica for reminding me.Many years ago the MoW gave me a little book for Christmas. I think it was Christmas. And it was a children's book. But it was a quick read, and a very nice story of a spoiled little French girl who became a Carmelite nun at age 15 and died at 24 of tuberculosis. I mentioned to MoW that she had written her autobiography and I would be interested in reading it if a copy could be found.
I had no idea how easy it was to find The Story of a Soul (just check any Catholic bookstore!). I think he gave it to me the next day. And so began my relationship with this sweet saint whose Little Way attracted me so much. Doing little things for Jesus each day was much easier than trying to become a saint!
When it was time for me to choose a patron saint during RCIA, I was at a loss as to whom I should pick. I prayed and prayed for guidance until the last day. And I still didn't have an answer. I mentioned to one of the other sponsors that I was still waiting for a heavenly response to my prayer and she said, "I thought for sure you would choose St. Therese of Lisieux. You talk about how she inspires you all the time!" Well, duh. So I did.
"My mission - to make God loved - will begin after my death," she said. "I will spend my heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall a shower of roses." I love my friend Therese. I may not always remember to start her novena on time, but I know she is always there for me, praying for me and sending me the occasional rose.
Oh, Little Therese of the child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the Heavenly Garden and send it to me as a message of love.
Oh little flower of Jesus ask God the favors I now place with confidence in your hands ( mention special request).
St. Theresa, help us to always believe as you did in God's great love for me, so that I may imitate your little way each day.
Amen.
Sara, you can even find "The Story of a Soul" online for free here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/7/7/16772/16772.txt
How beautiful that she is your confirmation saint! I was confirmed at 12 and choose St. Anne and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. My devotion to saint Therese began when I was 18, after praying my first novena to her. I just *LOVE* her!