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Thérèse of Lisieux

St Thérèse (1873 – 1897) was born into a devout Catholic family at Alencon, France. She is also known as Therese of the Child Jesus, the Holy Face and the Little Flower.

Portrait of St Thérèse of Lisieux

St Thérèse yearned to become a nun and at the age of 15, joined her two elder sisters in the Carmelite community of Lisieux. There she lived a hidden life and “wanted to be unknown”. She believed that it wasn’t necessary to do heroic and great deeds to attain holiness.

St Thérèse once said: “Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love”.

Sadly, after eight years as a nun, St Thérèse died of tuberculosis but her writings continue to be an inspiration to those searching for peace and understanding across the world.

St Thérèse’s Feast Day is the 1st October. She is the Patron Saint of HIV/AIDS sufferers and co-Patron of France with St Joan of Arc.

St Thérèse of Lisieux:

Pray for us that our simple actions of today will be a scattering of flowers at the feet of Jesus.

Glory be to the…

Today’s Prayers & Reflections …
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Thérèse of Lisieux – The Little Flower

St Thérèse of Lisieux Writings

St Thérèse, also known as, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face wrote:

“The Little Flower… rejoices in the wholly undeserved favours bestowed upon her by Our Lord. She knows that she had nothing in herself worthy of attracting Him: His Mercy alone showered blessings on her”.

“I will let no tiny sacrifice pass, no look, no word. I wish to profit by the smallest actions, and to do them for Love. I wish to suffer for Love’s sake, and for Love’s sake even to rejoice: thus shall I strew flowers”.

Petition To St Thérèse

Portrait of St Thérèse of Lisieux

O Glorious St Therese, 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…

(Share your request…)

… and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on 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. Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfil your plea, ‘to be made known everywhere’ and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen

… St Thérèse, Pray for Us …