On the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux

Holy Mother Church traditionally celebrates the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux on October 3, although on the new calendar it has been moved to October 1. St. Therese entered the Carmelite convent at the age of fifteen. For the next nine years she lived a very ordinary life, but she attained a high level of sanctity by living her “little way.” This meant that St. Therese completed her ordinary tasks with perfect fidelity. She joyfully served others and had a childlike confidence in God's love and mercy. Throughout her day St. Therese offered prayers and sacrifices to Jesus to show Him how much she loved Him. She did not feel she could do grand things for God, but she knew she was capable of little things and that even the smallest thing done for love of God is beautiful in His eyes. While she only lived to be twenty-four, St. Therese left us a great example with her “little way.”

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The “Twenty-four Glory be to the Father's Novena” can be said at any time. However, the 9th to the 17th of the month is most common and particularly recommended, for on those days everyone making the novena joins in prayer together. In this simple novena the "Glory be to the Father" prayer praising the Holy Trinity is said twenty-four times each of the nine days, in thanksgiving for all the blessings and favors given to Saint Therese of Lisieux, also known as St. Therese of the Child Jesus, during the twenty-four years of her life.

***Begin the novena each day with the following prayer; then recite the 24 Glory Be prayers.

"Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, I thank Thee for all the blessings and favors Thou hast showered upon the soul of Thy servant Therese of the Child Jesus, during the twenty-four years she spent here on earth, and in consideration of the merits of this Thy most beloved Saint, I beseech Thee to grant me this favor, if it is in accordance with Thy most Holy Will and is not an obstacle to my salvation." After this prayer, recite 24 “Glory Be's,” saying between each of them “St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.”

God bless!

+JMJ+