I understood that without love all works are but nothingness, even the most brilliant.
This lens is about MARIE FRANCOISE-THERESE MARTIN, daughter of Louis-Joseph-Stanislaus and Zelie (Guerin) Martin, was born in Alencon, France, January 2, 1873. She was the youngest of nine children, four of whom died in infancy, and of the five others, four became Carmelite nuns.
Therese, was a singularly charming and precocious child that set her heart upon entering the convent at the age of fifteen. Her wish was granted nearly to the letter, for on April 9, 1888, when only at fifteen, she enterered the Carmelite monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Immaculate Conception, at Lisieux, France. There she lived for nine years a life of remarkably joyous and childlike — or angelic — holiness; and there September 30, 1897, she died of consumption (tuberculosis).
St. Therese of Lisieux
Thérèse de Lisieux (2 January 1873 - 30 September 1897), or Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, born Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin, was a French Carmelite nun who was canonised in 1925 and declared a Doctor of the Church, one of only three women to receive that honour, in 1997. In 1927 she was named co-patron of the missions with St. Francis Xavier, and, in 1944, co-patron of France with St. Joan of Arc. She is also known as
"The Little Flower of Jesus".CatholicForum.com: Patron Saints Index: Thérèse of Lisieux Retrieved on 1 October 2006
The Spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux
The Little Way
St. Thérèse and her Little WayRev. John F. Russell, O.Carm.
Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J. 07079
What is the meaning of "the little way" of St Therese? It is an image that tries to capture her understanding of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, of seeking holiness of life in the ordinary and the everyday. St Therese based "her little way" on two fundamental convictions: (1) God shows love by mercy and forgiveness, and (2) she could not be "perfect" in following the Lord. St Therese believed that the people of her time lived in too great a fear of God's judgment. The fear was stifling and did not allow people to experience the freedom of the children of God. St Therese knew from her life that God is merciful love; many scripture passages in the Old and New Testaments bore out that truth. She loved the maternal images for God in the Old Testament and the love of God for us in Jesus Christ. In fact, St Therese once wrote that she could not understand how anyone could be afraid of a God who became a child. She also knew that she would never be perfect. Therefore, she went to God as a child approaches a parent . . . with open arms and a profound trust.
St Therese translated "the little way" in terms of a commitment to the tasks and to the people we meet in our everyday lives. She took her assignments in the convent of Lisieux as ways of manifesting her love for God and for others. She worked as a sacristan by taking care of the altar and the chapel; she served in the refectory and in the laundry room; she wrote plays for the entertainment of the community. Above all, she tried to show a love for all the nuns in the community. She played no favourites; she gave of herself even to the difficult members. Her life sounds so routine and ordinary, but it was steeped in a loving commitment that knew no breakdown. It is called a "little way" precisely by being simple, direct, yet calling for amazing fortitude and commitment. (cont...)
continued ...
In living out her life of faith she sensed that everything that she was able to accomplish came from the generous love of God in her life. She was convinced that at the end of her life she would go to God with empty hands. Why? Because all was accomplished in union with God.Catholics and other Christians have been attracted to St Therese's style. Her "little way" seems to put holiness of life within the reach of ordinary people. Live out your days with confidence in God's love for you. Recognize that each day is a gift in which your life can make a difference by the way you choose to live it. Put hope in a future in which God will be all and love will consume your spirit. Choose life, not the darkness of pettiness and greed. St Therese knew the difference love makes by allowing love to be the statement she made each day of her life.
Prayer to Saint Therese
St. Thérèse, please draw me into your great life of love.Teach me that no act is too small to fill with love. Give me great respect for others. Remind me that everyone is a child of God and is specially loved by God.
Draw me closer to God and allow me to feel God's love for me. Draw me into the heart of God and widen the horizons of my mind and heart. Then I may be able to think nothing, feel nothing, wish nothing, do nothing except those things that will build up others and inspire them to love.
Help me to do this over and over again - to practice with you, being Love in the heart God.
Amen.
Novena to Therese of the Child Jesus
O Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus,please pick for me a rose from the heavenly garden
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 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.
Miraculous Invocation to Saint Therese of Lisieux
O Glorious St. Thérèse, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your miraculous intercession. You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you "Prodigy of Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times." Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good upon earth... of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence. St. Thérèse, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea "to be made known everywhere" and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Another Prayer to St. Therese
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us. St. Therese's Impact
Therese - Daily Devotion from Society of the Little Flower
You can receive a daily devotion delivered to your email box (delivered by link) every day.Please use the link here to sign up.
Reader Feedback
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- nhi nhi Oct 31, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
- good to know.
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- Barbara Barbara Sep 25, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
- Please Little Flower of the Child Jesus intercede for me and implore our Lord to grant my petions; That my sons return to The Church, That my daughter's fiance be granted an annulment soon, that my grand=daughter grows up safely, secure in her home and church and in His love and care, and please, if it be his will, that my health inprove and my pain be reduced so that I may be more active. St Theresa, through your intercession, so many of my petitions have been granted. For this I am truely grateful. Please continue to assist me, as you did my parents. Thank you for all you have done. . .
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- Clayton Clayton Jul 2, 2009 @ 11:26 am
- I don't know the power of this saint. Let's just see what happens.
Why would it take the intercession of this saint , instead of the Lord Himself to grant my petitions?
I didn't have my fingers crossed, I meant everything i prayed for.
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- kamakshi kamakshi Jun 26, 2009 @ 4:41 am
- i pray that abhi would call me on the second of july and would reconcile with me.
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- Josephine Josephine May 19, 2009 @ 11:05 am
- Thanx St. Theresa for favors asked. I'll keep on praying even after the shower of roses on the weekend
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- gkygrl gkygrl May 13, 2009 @ 9:30 pm
- Praying for my Dad who passed away this morning and is in Heaven today. His passing was peaceful and he was happy and resolved. We feel blessed but I wanted to pray to my favorite saint for a little oomph! Go Dad!
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- jimb1234 jimb1234 May 3, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
- this is so good. great lens.
rate my body
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- J. J. Apr 14, 2009 @ 9:40 am
- I have had so many signs from you today. Please let it means there is a daisy on the way. Je t'aime.
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Please leave a prayer intention below ... and I will pray to St. Therese for you.
There is little that beats the awesome power of prayer. After having spent 7 years in religious life and being called outside into the world, I understand that faith is the stuff that gets us through the day -- rocky or smooth. I wanted to share my little spot in cyberspace to offer a prayer for you. If you can remember, say one for me too :-)
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- cole cole Oct 31, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
- socking
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- Anne Anne Oct 1, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
- St. Therese,
Please pray for me to have Class II and Class III patients for November boards. Pray that the patient I am seeing on October 10th will be a good patient for both Class II and Class III! Pray that everything goes well on October 10th. Pray that I will have practice instruments for boards, as well as adequate supplies and practice, and that I will practice with peace, confidence, trust in God and the intercession of the saints. Pray that I will pass the boards on November 13th and 14th with peace, confidence, trust in God and the intercession of the saints. Dear St. Therese, pray that I may live in the peace and love of God and not be overcome with worry, doubt, and stress, that I may know God's will and do it lovingly. Amen. Thank you St. Therese!
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- William William Aug 6, 2009 @ 6:29 pm
- May the beautiful holy light of the Lord fill the universe of our beings..Lord have Mercy on us
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- lucie lucie Jul 27, 2009 @ 6:50 am
- st therese heal my brothers and sisters and their families; reconcile them.
help me to find a new job, financial aid and new beginnings
for my very elderly frail mum that she will let go and go to god in peace.
st therese shower your roses upon us and your protection.
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- Misty Misty Jul 25, 2009 @ 10:13 pm
- I do hope your prayers get answered. I will pray with you Shashana...I hope the light shines on Howard. God bless.
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The Little Flower - Patroness of
Feast Day - October 1st
African missionsAIDS sufferers
air crews
aircraft pilots
Australia, aviators
Belgian air crews
black missions
bodily ills
diocese of Fairbanks Alaska
diocese of Fresno California,
diocese of Juneau Alaska
diocese of Pueblo Colorado
florists
flower growers
foreign missions
France
illness
loss of parents
missionaries
parish missions
restoration of religious freedom in Russia
Russia
sick people
sickness
Spanish air crews
tuberculosis
My Song of Today
one of Therese's poems
Oh! how I love Thee, Jesus! my soul aspires to Thee -And yet for one day only my simple prayer I pray!
Come reign within my heart, smile
tenderly on me,
Today, dear Lord, today.
But if I dare take thought of what the morrow brings -
That fills my fickle heart with dreary, dull dismay;
I crave, indeed, my God, trials and sufferings,
But only for today!
O sweetest Star of heaven!
O Virgin, spotless, blest,
Shining with Jesus' light, guiding to Him my way!
O Mother! 'neath thy veil let my tired spirit rest,
For this brief passing day!
Soon shall I fly afar among the holy choirs,
Then shall be mine the joy that never knows decay;
And then my lips shall sing, to heaven's angelic lyres,
The eternal, glad today!
Therese of Lisieux & Vocation Links
- The Official Site of Saint Therese
- This website is maintained for the promotion of the life and spirituality of St Thérèse of Lisieux.
- Society of the Little Flower
- The Mission of the Society of the Little Flower is to promote devotion to St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Carmelite Nun and Doctor of the Church. Through prayers and donations, friends of St. Therese enable Carmelites to continue her "Shower of Roses" in their ministries and in the education of seminarians.
- Vision Vocation Network
- Feel called to religious life?
Vision has many exciting features to help you discern your life's calling. Whether
you are interested in consecrated life-such as becoming a nun, brother, priest, or
monk-or simply looking for ways to deepen your faith through volunteer and study
opportunities, you've come to the right place!
Wonderful Books on Therese
The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme): The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
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Therese the Movie
Ordinary Girl - Extraordinary Soul
Therese
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by gkygrl
I am a woman who has worn many hats over the years. Currently, I am retired due to complications from multiple sclerosis.






