Catholic Fire

" It appears to me that humility is the truth. I know not whether I am humble, but I know that I see the truth in all this." -- Counsels and Reminiscences "Jesus made me understand that the true, the only glory is that which will last forever; that to attain to it we need not perform wonderful deeds, but rather, those hidden from the eyes of others and from self, so that the left hand knoweth not what the right hand doth." (Matt 6:3) -- Story of a Soul, Chapter 4

My director, Jesus, does not teach me to count my acts, but to do everything for love, to refuse Him nothing, to be pleased when He gives me a chance to prove to Him that I love Him - but all this in peace - in abandonment." ~ Letter to Celine, July 6, 1893

St. Therese is so special to me. I think of her as a close friend with whom I can share my most intimate thoughts and feelings. I know that she will send me a fragrant rose on her special day -- whether visible or invisible-- it is always real. I first learned about St. Therese of the Child Jesus when I was 15 years old, a sophomore in a Catholic high school. In English class, her autobiography, Story of a Soul, was one of the options on our required reading list. As I read her love for Jesus and learned of her "Little Way", I couldn't help but admire and desire to emulate this beautiful saint, who expressed so much joy in the midst of suffering. I cheered when this young woman who of my age acted with such strong faith and determination and did the forbidden , speaking out when she was told to remain silent, pleading with the Pope to let her enter Carmel. I loved the poetic way she expressed herself, her love for flowers, her deep insights into the faith, and the humor s...

Today's novena prayers are here.

O Eternal Father, in heaven You crown the merits of those who in this life serve You faithfully. For the sake of the most pure love Your little daughter, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, had for you - love which binds You to give her whatever she desires - listen to the petitions which she offers up to You in my behalf, and hear my prayers by granting me the grace I ask. (Optional: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.) 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 as the Queen of the heart of Jesus to obtain for me by 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.

For today's novena, go here.

For today's novena prayers, go here.

For the fifth day of the novena, go here.

Novena Rose 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 now place with confidence in your hands...(mention petitions) St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your "Little Way" each day. Amen. (Say this prayer for nine days and St. Therese will send you a rose!)

Novena Rose 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 now place with confidence in your hands...(mention petitions) St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your "Little Way" each day. Amen. (Say this prayer for nine days and St. Therese will send you a rose!)

" I will let fall from Heaven a shower of roses." ~ St. Therese of Lisieux This is the time of year (at least in the midwestern part of the United States) that roses are blooming. With all the rain we have had here lately, they are growing abundantly. Roses always remind me of my dear friend, St. Therese, who often interecedes for me. I can really use her prayers for a special intention now, so I am going to begin the nine day novena to her today. Please feel free to join me in praying for your special intention(s). Novena Rose 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 now place with confidence in your hands...(mention petitions) St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did, in God's great love for me, so that I might imitate your "Little Way" each day. Amen. (Say this prayer for nine days and St. There...

Look at His adorable face. Look at His glazed and sunken eyes. Look at His wombs. Look Jesus in the Face. There, you will see how He loves us. ~ St. Therese of Lisieux How can we complain when He Himself was considered 'as one struck by God and afflicted' (Isa. 53:4) ~ St. Therese of Lisieux

"We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials." ~St. Teresa of Avila "The greatest greatest honor God can do for a soul is not to give it much, but to ask much of it." ~ St. Therese of Lisieux "Suffering is the very best gift He has to give us. He gives it only to His chosen friends." ~ St. Therese of Lisieux

"Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?" ~ Matthew 20:22 "Suffering is the very best gift He has to give us. He gives it only to His chosen friends." ~ St. Therese of Lisieux

After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up, left everything, and followed him." ~ Luke 5: 27 - 32 "Lord Jesus Christ, you called sinners and outcasts to follow you. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, your mother, grant us the grace to leave behind all the values and behaviors which ties us down to this world's wisdom; free us to follow you that we may share in the Easter banquet with you, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen. "God does not ask of us the perfection of tomorrow, nor even of tonight, but only of the present moment." ~ St. Madeleine Sophie Barat "God does not call us to be successful, but to be faithful." ~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta "Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love." ~ St. Therese of Lisieux