Day Nine, Nine-Day Novena

"Now that I am about to appear before God, I understand very clearly that one thing only is necessary: to work for Him alone, and not for oneself or for others."

"I am happy to die because, far more than on earth, I shall help the souls I hold dear." —St. Therese

Today, September 30, was St. Therese's last day on earth. We remember this Little Flower who had complete trust in God and yearned so much to see His Face. This is the last day of our nine-day novena. St. Therese must be smiling down on you today.



Start with:
O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were—to that Queen of Heaven "who smiled on you at the dawn of life." Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen.


DAY NINE

O St. Therese, seraphic virgin, beloved spouse of our Crucified Lord, you who on earth did burn with a love so intense toward your God and my God, and now glow with a bright and purer flame in paradise, obtain for me, I beseech you, a spark of that same holy fire which shall help me to put things of the world in their proper place and live my life always conscious of the presence of God. As I conclude my novena I also beg of you to secure for me the special favor I seek at this time...

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.