Painting by me. You can see my artwork and order originals and commissions here.
Welcome back to our nine-day novena asking for the intercession of "the greatest saint of modern times": Doctor of the Church St Thérèse of Lisieux. The novena is traditionally offered in the lead up to her feast on October 1. We ask the saints in Heaven to pray for us, just as we would ask our friends on earth to pray for us, because they are even closer to God and so their prayers contain even greater purity and power.
Novena prayer: Day 3
For each of the nine days, pray this prayer:
St Thérèse, you said you would let fall from Heaven “a shower of roses” as a sign of your prayers for us. Please bring my special intention before God (mention intention here).
Please pray for me to believe as you did in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your complete trust in Him. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply.
Glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Reflect and pray
Reflect on this meditation from Thérèse:
"Jesus has chosen to show me the only way which leads to love; it is the way of childlike self-surrender, the way of a child who sleeps, afraid of nothing, in her father’s arms.”
“I cannot force myself to seek beautiful prayers in books; I act as a child who cannot read; I say quite simply to the good God what I want to tell Him, and He always understands me.”
“Think of me as a little child who is learning to stand but does not yet know how to walk. In his desire to reach the top of the stairs to find his mother, she lifts her little foot to climb the first step. At each attempt, she falls. Be like that little child. Always keep lifting your foot to climb the ladder of holiness, and do not imagine that you can mount even the first step. All God asks of you is good will. From the top of the ladder He looks lovingly upon you, and soon, touched by your efforts, He will Himself come down, and, taking you in His Arms, will carry you to His Kingdom never again to leave Him.”
Journal and pray:
How do you see God—as a good Father, or something different?
What is the difference between God being a ruler versus a father?
Who is a father or father figure who reminds you of God? Why?
How do you think God sees you? What about you does God love and delight in?
Come back tomorrow for Day 4 of the novena. You can also subscribe here so you don't miss anything.
Comments