St. Therese... The Little Flower

("Saint Theresa")

Marie Francoise Thérèse Martin was born on January 2, 1873 in a simple house on the Rue de Saint
Blaise, Alençon, Normandy, France. She lived the life of a normal child and entered the Carmel of
Lisieux in 1889 when she was 15 years old. As Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus, she lived a hidden
life. She was just twenty-four when she died on September 30, 1897 and canonized a saint in 1925.
The world came to know her through her autobiography, "The Story of A Soul." She described her
life as "a little way of spiritual childhood." She lived each day with unshakable confidence in God’s
love. What matters in life is "not great deeds, but great love."

"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." Countless lives have been touched by her intercession, and thousands have imitated her "little way." She has been acclaimed the "greatest
saint of modern times." Everywhere in the world the roses continue to fall.
The portrait of St. Thérèse (above) by her sister, Celine, is considered the most authentic
representation of the Saint ever done. The original is in Darien, Ill. Theresa was not a great
healer or miracle worker, but a woman who was faithful to her everyday chores to a heroic degree.

St. Therese choose for her motto the well known words of St. John of the Cross: "Love is repaid
by love alone." Not only did she take these words as her motto, but Therese lived them throughout
her life. The holy Nun lived her life of fidelity to her duties in what she called her "little way". The
"little way" is that of childhood simplicity and trust in the heavenly Father and a life in union with
the suffering Christ.
As St. Paul wrote, "We make up in our bodies, what was lacking in the sufferings of Christ." St.
Therese was faithful in offering her sufferings in union with Christ. The Saints greatest work was
her untireing prayer and suffering for Priests. As a young Nun she desired to be a missionary and
when she could not, she became a missionary by offering prayers for the works of mission Priests.

	Miraculous Invocation to Saint Thérèse O glorious Saint Thérèse, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I implore your Miraculous Intercession. So powerful are you in obtaining every need of body and soul our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a "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. Henceforth, dear Little Flower, I will fulfil your plea "to be made known everywhere" and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen.
	St. Therese had a great devotion to the Mother of God, and our mother, heaven's Queen. The great love that Therese had for Mary is seen in a poem she wrote shortly before her death. WHY I LOVE THEE, MARY O thou who cam'st to smile on me At the dawn of life's beginning, Come once again to smile on me... Mother! The night is nigh. I fear no more thy majesty, So far removed above me, For I have suffered sore with thee; Now hear me, Mother mild! O let me tell thee, face to face, Dear Mary, how I love thee; And say to thee forevermore: I am thy little child.
	Origin of the Novena Father Putigan, a Jesuit, began the Novena to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus on December 3, 1925, asking the glorious Saint for one great favor. For nine days he recited the "Glory be to the Father" twenty-four times thanking the Holy Trinity for the favors and Graces showered on Saint Therese during the twenty-four years of her life on earth. The priest asked Saint Therese, that as a sign that his novena was heard he would receive from someone a freshly plucked rose. On the third day of the novena, an unknown person sought out Father Putigan and presented him with a beautiful rose. Father Putigan began the second novena on December 24 of the same year, and as a sign, asked for a white rose. On the fourth day of this novena one of the Sister-nurses brought him a white rose saying: "Saint Therese sent you this." Amazed, the priest asked "Where did you get this?" "I was in the chapel," said the Sister, "and as I was leaving I passed the altar above which hangs the beautiful picture of Saint Therese. This rose fell at my feet. I wanted to put it back into the bouquet, but a thought came to me that I should bring it to you." Father Putigan received the favors he had petitioned of the Little Flower of Jesus, and promised to spread the novena to increase devotion to, and bring her more honor. In this fashion, from the ninth to the seventeenth of each month, those who want to participate in the Twenty four "Glory, be to the Father's" novena, should add to those of their own, the intentions of all who are at that time making the novena, thus forming one great prayer in common.
	THE NOVENAS The First Novena The Twenty-four "Glory be to the Father's" novena can be said at any time. However, the ninth to the seventeenth of the month is particularly recommended for on those days the petitioner joins in prayer with all those making the novena. Between the Glory Be's, say: "Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us" The Second Novena St. Therese, the Little Flower, please pick me a rose from the Heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more. The above prayer, plus 5 Our Father's, 5 Hail Mary's, 5 Glory Be's, must be said on 5 successive days, before 11 a.m. On the 5th day, the 5th set of prayers having been completed, offer one more set - 5 Our Father's 5 Hail Mary's, 5 Glory Be's. Try it - It always works!

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