St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena 2022: Introduction

You who came to smile at me in the morning of my life,
Come smile at me again… Mother…. It’s evening now!…

Poem 54, Stanza 25
“Why I Love You, O Mary!”
May 1897

INTRODUCTION

In this, the 125th anniversary year of the death of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, we give thanks for the many graces and blessings that we have received not only through her intercession but also through her “eminent doctrine” that teaches us a more excellent way to know, love, and follow Christ.

Since the publication in 1956 of the original, unedited, autobiographical notebooks of the Discalced Carmelite, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus, thousands of volumes have been written about her. The publications range from children’s books to the most erudite theological treatises: Saint Thérèse has captivated the imaginations of the simple and the wise, both young and old.

Saint John Paul II wrote one of the most comprehensive expositions of the teaching of St. Thérèse in his Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia, whereby he proclaimed her a Doctor of the Universal Church. It is difficult to surpass the teaching of any Saint concerning another Saint, much less a Doctor of the Church.

But Thérèse in her childlike simplicity makes herself known and loved in her own words through her written works. In this novena, we will listen to her sing to us in her poetry—since she intended for all of her poems to be sung.

Each day we will share one or more stanzas that reveal her eminent doctrine and passionate desire “to love Jesus and to make him loved” (Letter 220) as a Discalced Carmelite nun. Join us day by day as our novena unfolds…

Day One
“Just for today“

Day Two 
“Daughter of a Saint“

Day Three 
“St. Joseph, Protector of Carmel“

Day Four 
“Remain in His love“

Day Five 
“Peace in God“

Day Six
“Jesus alone“

Day Seven 
“In peace I await“

Day Eight 
“Love and abandonment“

Day Nine
“More Mother than Queen“

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NOVENA PRAYER

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus,
remember your promise to do good on earth;
send your shower of roses in abundance
on those who call upon you,
and obtain for us from God the graces
we are waiting to receive from His infinite goodness.

mention your intentions here

God our Father,
you have promised your kingdom
to those who are willing to become like little children.
Help us to follow the way of Saint Thérèse with confidence
so that by her prayers
we may come to know your eternal glory.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever. Amen.

All scripture references are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America as accessed from the Bible Gateway website.

All citations from the poetry of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus come from The Poetry of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, translated by Donald Kinney, O.C.D., published in 1996 by ICS Publications, Washington DC. Available at https://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/ (Accessed: 21 September 2022).

Don’t become discouraged and give up prayer, says St. John of the Cross. We offer varying novenas to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, as well as novenas to St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Edith Stein and St. Joseph.

LET US UNITE IN PRAYER