Today, October 1, we celebrate the memorial of the youngest Doctor of the Church, and one of the most popular modern-day saints, known by so many as The Little Flower, today’s saint is Therese of Lisieux. Although I have written on her numerous times in the past, for today’s post I want to share some simple and short reflections on this holy saint from friends of mine who either have devotions to her or have been on the receiving end of her intercessions.

Personally, she is one of my favorite saints and I believe played a key role in bringing my wife and me together, along with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Once we realized that we both had a devotion to St. Therese, we often asked for her intercession in our dating relationship, then during our engagement, currently still doing so in our marriage, and also during my wife’s pregnancy. She is a saint that we will teach our son and future children about once they reach an age where they can recognize and understand the saints.

She has done so much for so many people from her place in heaven, which is exactly what she promised to do on her deathbed. I hope that you enjoy the short reflections below starting with Fr. Mullady’s simple explanation of devotion to The Little Flower –

“Little things done with great love.” – Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P.

“In 2001 when a bunch of core members from St. Theresa Parish went to visit the Carmelite sisters in Alhambra, CA, I was discerning whether I was called to religious life. I was praying a novena to St. Thérèse for a sign of roses – red for marriage, white for religious life. At the retreat center, there are, of course, many rose bushes. I was admiring them and smelling several when one of the sisters (I think it was Sr. Agnes Marie) asked if I would like one. I said sure, thinking she would pick one and I would have my answer. Instead, she asked which one I wanted. I think I stammered something about them all being too beautiful to pick. She said something along the lines of “It’s your choice, whichever you pick will be fine.” I realized later that was the answer to my novena.” – Christi

“I have had a devotion to her since childhood. It has helped me deal with a lot of pain in my life to be like her.” – Nikki

“I was in my 30’s and my marriage was falling apart and ended in divorce much to my dismay. I had to pick up the pieces of my life with three young children and started praying to St. Therese again.  Sadly, I couldn’t remember the prayer but had kept the prayer card my grandmother left for me at least 10 years earlier (when living in Texas).  I slowly started going back to mass and quickly my reversion hit full speed and I came back into full communion with the Catholic Church after a 20-year absence.  My marriage was annulled and two years later I met Patrick (husband) who had been recently widowed. In addition to this, Patrick’s birthday is on October 1st, which is St Therese of Lisieux’s feast day. I pray to her daily to help guide our family in the direction of Christ.   I think of her and her “little way” and the devotion she had to her faith.  I know that I’m able to do great things with love for my own family in my own “little ways”.  I always remind myself that she wants to be “showered in heaven” with my prayers to her.” – Jennifer

“I have had a devotion to St. Therese since I was a little girl. I prayed to her for a spouse for over a decade. Eventually, I met my husband and married at 35. At our wedding, I had a bouquet made for Our Lady and another one made for St. Therese. I placed them at their statues. Since I was older, I also did many novenas for children. I have 2 daughters and a son. One of my daughters is named Christiana Therese. All my children have a devotion to this great saint as well.” – Yvonne

“Twice in my life, I have received an answer to prayer from St. Therese. Both times involved praying for individuals who are dear to me and I was asking for help for them. In each case, decades apart in time, I prayed for help, not expected instantly, but within the individual’s lifetime. The answer in each case was in the form of an unexpected rose. The first time was on a cold day in the winter when an uncle of mine handed me a rose. Another time was on a cold day well into November when I saw a beautiful lone rose in our yard. Since we were in New England, I did not expect to see a rose on either occasion. I knew that St. Therese gave me a sign that Our Lord was answering my prayers.” – Helen

Feel free to leave any comments below like these reflections to share with others as they read this post today and in the future.

Saint Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower…Pray for Us 

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