Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, is one of the most venerated spiritual figures in the Catholic Church. Her approach to the spiritual life, known as "the little way", is based on humility, total trust in God and unconditional love in the little things of everyday life. Canonised in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II, Saint Thérèse is the patron saint of missions and difficult causes.
Praying to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is a step of faith and abandonment to God's will. It is particularly powerful for asking for special graces, miracles, or to regain serenity in times of trial. This prayer embodies confidence in the power of divine love and in the intercession of this beloved saint.
The life of Saint Thérèse: a lesson in love and faith
Saint Thérèse was born in 1873 in Alençon, France, into a deeply religious family. After the premature death of her mother, she developed great spiritual sensitivity and felt a call to dedicate her life to God. At just 15, she entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where she led a life of prayer, humility and silent sacrifice. Thérèse never achieved any great feats by human standards, but her "little way" touched the hearts of millions of believers. She believed that sanctity could be achieved by simple acts of infinite love. After a short life marked by suffering and illness, she died in 1897, aged 24, promising to "make it rain roses on the earth".
Why pray to Saint Therese?
To ask for special graces: Saint Therese is known for her promise to answer prayers promptly and for tangible signs of her intercession, often in the form of roses.
To find serenity: Her prayer helps to overcome anxieties and find inner peace.
To strengthen faith and love: She inspires us to live each day with trust in God and to love fully, even in the small things.
To obtain miracles: Her devotion is associated with physical, spiritual, and material miracles in difficult or desperate situations.
The benefits of prayer to Saint Thérèse
Deep comfort: Her prayer soothes hearts and nourishes hope.
A strengthening of faith: She invites total surrender to divine love.
Tangible responses: Many testify to receiving a rose, real or symbolic, as a sign of her presence and intercession.
An inspiration to love and forgive: She shows that every act of love, no matter how small, has great value in God's eyes.
Example of a powerful prayer to Saint Therese
Here is a complete prayer to invoke Saint Therese:
O Saint Therese of the Child Jesus,
You who promised to rain a shower of roses on the earth,
Hear my prayer and intercede for me with God.
With faith and trust, I entrust my intention to you:
(specify your request here).
Instruct me to follow your little way,
To live each day with love, humility, and abandonment to the divine will.
Help me to overcome my doubts and worries,
And to find peace and joy in God's love.
Saint Therese, send me a sign of your love,
And make me feel God's presence in my life.
I promise to make your name known and to live in complete trust
In the infinite love of our Lord.
Amen.
Conclusion: A prayer of simplicity and love
Praying to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is a spiritual journey that invites us to draw closer to God with trust and love. By following her "little way", we discover that every act of faith and love, no matter how small, can transform our lives and the lives of others.
Confide your intentions to Saint Thérèse with faith and perseverance, and let her luminous presence guide you towards inner peace, graces, and a deeper relationship with God. May her roses rain down on you as a sign of her love and intercession.
