9-Day Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower)

9-Day Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower)

The Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, known as the Little Flower, is a Catholic devotion seeking the intercession of Saint Thérèse, a French Carmelite nun canonized in 1925, renowned for her “Little Way” of spiritual childhood, simplicity, and trust in God. This novena incorporates prayers, stories, and reflections as requested, emphasizing humility, love, and small acts of kindness for God’s glory, inspired by Thérèse’s life and teachings.

Definition

A novena is a nine-day Catholic devotion of private or public prayer to seek special graces, rooted in the apostles’ nine days of prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost (Acts 1:4). This novena invokes Saint Thérèse’s intercession for grace to live her “Little Way” of trust, humility, and love, seeking her prayers for personal intentions and spiritual growth.

Complete Prayers (One Per Day for Nine Days)

Day 1:
O Saint Thérèse, Little Flower, you loved God with childlike trust. Teach me to rely on His mercy. Through your intercession, grant my request for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 2:
Dear Thérèse, you offered small acts for Jesus. Help me find joy in humble service. Through your prayers, fulfill my intention for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 3:
Little Flower, you embraced suffering with love. Grant me strength to bear my crosses. Through your intercession, hear my prayer for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 4:
Saint Thérèse, you loved Mary as your mother. Lead me to Jesus through her. Through your prayers, grant my request for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 5:
O Thérèse, you trusted God’s will completely. Help me surrender my fears to Him. Through your intercession, fulfill my prayer for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 6:
Little Flower, you prayed for missionaries. Inspire me to support the Church’s mission. Through your prayers, hear my request for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 7:
Saint Thérèse, you sought holiness in simplicity. Guide me to love God in small things. Through your intercession, grant my prayer for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 8:
Dear Thérèse, you promised a shower of roses. Send graces to those I love. Through your prayers, fulfill my intention for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Day 9:
O Little Flower, you lived for God’s glory. May I follow your Little Way to heaven. Through your intercession, grant my request for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Saint Thérèse, pray for us.

Real Life Stories and Bible Stories (7 Total)

  1. Real Life Story: Ngozi’s Job (2024)
    Ngozi, a teacher in Enugu, Nigeria, prayed a Thérèse novena in 2024 for a stable job. On the ninth day, she received a permanent teaching position, finding a rose on her doorstep, which she saw as Thérèse’s sign.

  2. Bible Story: The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41–44)
    A poor widow gives two small coins, all she has, to the temple. Her humble gift mirrors Thérèse’s Little Way of offering small acts with great love.

  3. Real Life Story: Esther’s Healing (2023)
    Esther, a mother in Nairobi, Kenya, prayed a Thérèse novena in 2023 for her son’s heart condition. Post-novena, surgery succeeded beyond expectations, and Esther found rose petals in her garden.

  4. Bible Story: The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31–32)
    Jesus compares faith to a tiny mustard seed that grows into a great tree. This reflects Thérèse’s teaching that small acts of faith yield great spiritual fruit.

  5. Real Life Story: Aisha’s Peace (2025)
    Aisha, a nurse in Accra, Ghana, prayed a Thérèse novena in 2025 for family reconciliation. Her siblings reunited after years of strife, and she received a rose-scented card, attributing it to Thérèse.

  6. Bible Story: The Children Welcomed (Mark 10:13–16)
    Jesus blesses children, saying the Kingdom belongs to those like them. This aligns with Thérèse’s childlike trust, inspiring simplicity in prayer.

  7. Real Life Story: Tolu’s Vocation (2024)
    Tolu, a student in Cape Town, South Africa, prayed a Thérèse novena in 2024 to discern her vocation. She felt called to religious life, finding a rose in her Bible, crediting Thérèse’s guidance.

Comments by People (7)

  1. “Thérèse’s novena taught me to love God in small ways.” — Chidi, engineer, Nigeria.

  2. “Her prayers brought healing to my daughter.” — Esther, mother, Kenya.

  3. “This novena gave me peace in my struggles.” — Aisha, nurse, Ghana.

  4. “The Little Way changed how I live my faith.” — Tolu, student, South Africa.

  5. “Thérèse’s intercession strengthens our parish.” — Father Obi, priest, Nigeria.

  6. “Her novena helped me trust God’s plan.” — Zainab, young adult, Senegal.

  7. “Thérèse’s roses brought hope to my family.” — Sarah, parishioner, Uganda.

Bible Verses (10)

  1. Matthew 18:3 – “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

  2. Mark 12:44 – “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

  3. Luke 1:38 – “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’”

  4. Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

  5. 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

  6. Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

  7. John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit.”

  8. Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

  9. Matthew 11:30 – “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

  10. 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

Devotional Associated with the Topic

Devotional: Living the Little Way with Saint Thérèse
Spend 15 minutes daily practicing Thérèse’s Little Way. Begin with a decade of the Rosary, meditating on the Joyful Mystery of the Nativity, reflecting Thérèse’s humble love for Jesus. Read one of the above Bible verses, focusing on humility or trust (e.g., Matthew 18:3). Journal about a small act of love you can offer today—smiling at a stranger, doing a chore cheerfully—and how it glorifies God. Perform this act, inspired by Thérèse’s simplicity. End with the novena prayer for that day, seeking her intercession for your intention.

Stories of Random Catholic Saints (3)

  1. Saint John Bosco (1815–1888)
    Founder of the Salesians, John cared for poor youth with love and simplicity, similar to Thérèse’s Little Way, inspiring small acts for God’s glory.

  2. Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905–1938)
    Faustina spread the Divine Mercy devotion with humble trust, complementing Thérèse’s childlike faith, encouraging reliance on God’s mercy.

  3. Saint Clare of Assisi (1194–1253)
    Clare embraced poverty for Christ, living simply like Thérèse, guiding others to love God through small sacrifices.

Stories of Jesus Christ’s Encounters with People (5)

  1. The Widow’s Offering (Mark 12:41–44)
    A widow gives her small coins, pleasing Jesus with her sacrifice. This reflects Thérèse’s teaching to offer little acts with great love.

  2. The Children Blessed (Mark 10:13–16)
    Jesus welcomes children, valuing their simplicity. This mirrors Thérèse’s spiritual childhood, inspiring trustful prayer.

  3. Mary of Bethany (John 12:1–8)
    Mary anoints Jesus’ feet, showing love through a humble act. This aligns with Thérèse’s call to serve Jesus in small ways.

  4. The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1–42)
    Jesus offers her living water, transforming her life. Her response reflects Thérèse’s joy in sharing faith humbly.

  5. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10)
    Jesus calls Zacchaeus, leading to his conversion. This small encounter echoes Thérèse’s belief in the power of simple acts of faith.

Prophetic Declarations (10)

  1. I declare that I will live Thérèse’s Little Way with love.

  2. I proclaim that small acts will glorify God through her prayers.

  3. I declare that Thérèse’s intercession will strengthen my trust.

  4. I proclaim that my crosses will bear fruit with her guidance.

  5. I declare that I will love Mary and Jesus as Thérèse did.

  6. I proclaim that my faith will grow through humble service.

  7. I declare that Thérèse’s roses will bring hope to my life.

  8. I proclaim that I will support the Church’s mission with prayer.

  9. I declare that God’s mercy will guide me through Thérèse.

  10. I proclaim that my heart will seek holiness in simplicity.

Prophetic Words from Catholic Priests (10)

  1. “Thérèse’s Little Way will lead you to Jesus’ heart.” — Fr. Chidi, Nigeria.

  2. “Her prayers will guide you in small acts of love.” — Fr. Michael, Kenya.

  3. “Trust Thérèse to help you bear your crosses.” — Fr. Paul, Ghana.

  4. “Thérèse’s intercession will deepen your childlike faith.” — Fr. James, South Africa.

  5. “Follow Thérèse to love God in simplicity.” — Fr. Joseph, Uganda.

  6. “Thérèse’s roses will bring grace to your life.” — Fr. David, Senegal.

  7. “Her prayers will inspire you to serve the poor.” — Fr. Mark, Nigeria.

  8. “Thérèse calls you to trust God’s mercy.” — Fr. Luke, Cameroon.

  9. “Live Thérèse’s Little Way for God’s glory.” — Fr. Thomas, Ethiopia.

  10. “Thérèse’s intercession will guide you to holiness.” — Fr. Peter, Ghana.

Prayer Points (10)

  1. For grace to live Thérèse’s Little Way of humility and love.

  2. For strength to offer small acts for God’s glory.

  3. For courage to bear personal crosses with trust.

  4. For deeper devotion to Mary and Jesus.

  5. For trust in God’s will during trials.

  6. For zeal to support missionaries and the Church.

  7. For Thérèse’s intercession for personal intentions.

  8. For families to grow in faith and simplicity.

  9. For the spread of Thérèse’s Little Way globally.

  10. For personal holiness through childlike faith.

Meditation Writeup

Meditation: Walking the Little Way with Saint Thérèse
Find a quiet space and place an image of Saint Thérèse or a candle before you, symbolizing God’s gentle light. Begin with Thérèse’s prayer: “My God, I offer You all my actions for Your glory.” Close your eyes and imagine Thérèse in her Carmelite cell, smiling as she performs a small task for Jesus. Picture yourself offering a small act of love today. Reflect on a challenge or intention—how can you respond with Thérèse’s trust? Read Matthew 18:3: “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Sit in silence for 5 minutes, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your heart. End with the Day 9 novena prayer, seeking Thérèse’s intercession for your intention. Journal your thoughts, committing to one small act of love, like helping a colleague or praying for someone, inspired by Thérèse’s Little Way.

bornbyai

Protected by CleanTalk Anti-Spam