St. Therese wanted to become a missionary in far-off lands but was prevented by illness. Instead, she devoted herself to prayer and wrote about her spiritual life in her autobiography, Story of a Soul. Despite her short life, St. Therese’s spiritual writings have inspired many, and she is now considered a Doctor of the Church.
To pray the Novena of Roses, begin by reciting the following prayer:
“O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favors I beg of thee: (mention your petition). St. Therese, help me to believe as thou didst, in God’s great love for me, so that I may imitate thy ‘Little Way’ each day. Amen.”
Then, on each of the nine days of the novena, add the following prayer:
“St. Therese, Doctor of the Church, pray for us and intercede for us before God, that we may receive the grace we so ardently desire. Amen.”
After reciting the novena, it is customary to offer St. Therese a spiritual bouquet of roses, which can be done by imagining oneself presenting her with a bouquet of roses as a symbol of one’s love and gratitude.
The Novena of Roses is a powerful prayer to receive grace because it is based on the teachings of St. Therese, who believed in the importance of trusting in God’s love and mercy. By offering her a virtual bouquet of roses, we acknowledge the role of St. Therese as our intercessor and ask for her help in obtaining the graces we need to grow in holiness.
St. Therese believed in the value of small acts of love and selflessness, which she called her “Little Way”. Through this novena, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God’s love and following in the footsteps of St. Therese by offering our own small acts of love and selflessness in service to others.
The Novena of Roses has been known to bring about many miracles and answered prayers. People have reported healings, conversions, and other blessings as a result of their devotion to St. Therese through this prayer. However, it is important to remember that God’s will is always greater than our own, and that sometimes the answer to our prayers may not be what we expect or desire.
In conclusion, the Novena of Roses is a powerful prayer to receive grace through the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux. This nine-day novena centers on offering a virtual bouquet of roses to St. Therese as a sign of our devotion and trust in her intercession. By following in the footsteps of St. Therese and living out her “Little Way” of love and selflessness, we can grow closer to God and receive the graces we need to become saints. May St. Therese continue to inspire us to trust in God’s love and mercy.