Novena to Saint Thérèse:

Seeking Her Heavenly Intercession 

Some prayers begin with a great need. Others begin with a small, persistent hope: for patience at home, courage in a difficult season, or the grace to love someone well today. Saint Thérèse of Lisieux understood that holiness grows in ordinary moments like these. Through her “Little Way,” she taught that even the simplest acts, offered to God with love, can become a path to heaven.

A novena to Saint Thérèse is nine days of prayer asking this beloved saint to intercede for us. We do not ask her to grant our petitions by her own power; we ask her to bring them before Jesus, whose mercy is the source of every grace. Whether you are praying for healing, for your family, for a loved one who has drifted from the faith, or simply for a more trusting heart, you can come as you are.

Saint Thérèse once promised to “spend my heaven doing good on earth.” Her words have comforted generations of Catholics, but her greatest gift is not a promise that every prayer will be answered as we expect. It is her witness to childlike confidence in God. As we begin this novena, let us place our intentions in the Lord’s hands and ask Saint Thérèse to help us love Him more faithfully, one small act at a time.

Who Was Saint Thérèse of Lisieux?

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux did not travel the world or found a religious order. She spent most of her short religious life within the walls of a Carmelite convent in France. Yet her witness has helped countless people believe that holiness is possible in the middle of ordinary life.

Born in 1873 to Louis and Zélie Martin, Thérèse entered the Carmel of Lisieux at age fifteen. There she embraced what she called her “Little Way”: doing small things with great love and trusting completely in God’s mercy. Daily duties, disappointments, and moments of kindness became opportunities to love Jesus.

Thérèse died in 1897 at just twenty-four. Her writings, published as Story of a Soul, made her spiritual wisdom known far beyond the convent. The Church later named her a patron saint of the missions and a Doctor of the Church.

Families praying a novena to Saint Thérèse can take heart from her example. We need not wait for extraordinary circumstances to grow closer to God. We can ask her to pray with us as we offer Him the ordinary joys and struggles of each day.

Why Pray a Novena to Saint Thérèse?

A novena gives us nine days to bring a particular need before God with patience and trust. When we ask Saint Thérèse of Lisieux to pray with us, we do not turn away from Jesus. We ask a friend in heaven to intercede for us as we turn toward Him.

Saint Thérèse understood the struggles hidden in ordinary life: the effort it takes to be kind when we are tired, to forgive when we are hurt, or to keep praying when nothing seems to change. Her “Little Way” teaches us to offer these small acts to God with great love. That makes her a wonderful companion for families, especially when parents and children are learning to pray together.

You might begin a novena while praying for someone who is ill, seeking peace in your home, or asking for the grace to trust God through uncertainty. Each day is another opportunity to place that intention in His hands.

Some people associate Saint Thérèse with roses as signs of encouragement. Whether or not you receive a sign, the heart of the novena remains the same: asking for her prayers and entrusting the answer to God’s wisdom and love.

The Little Way of Trust and Love

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux did not become a saint by doing things that drew attention. In the Carmelite convent, she sought to love God in ordinary moments: completing a task, bearing a disappointment patiently, or showing kindness when it was difficult. She called this path her “Little Way.”

Her example can be a comfort when we pray a novena. We may bring Saint Thérèse a serious worry—a child who has wandered from the faith, an illness, or a burden we cannot lift—and wonder whether our prayers are enough. The Little Way reminds us that prayer does not depend on finding perfect words. We can come to God as His children, speak honestly, and trust Him with what we cannot control.

Each day of the novena, try offering Him one small act of love alongside your prayer. Listen patiently to someone at home. Do a needed chore without complaint. Ask forgiveness. These acts do not earn an answer to prayer; they help us open our hearts to the grace God is already offering.

As we ask Saint Thérèse to intercede for us, we can ask her to teach us her simple confidence: to love Jesus today, in the circumstances right before us.

Saint Thérèse’s Promise to Send a Shower of Roses

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux spoke of spending her heaven doing good on earth. The young Carmelite trusted that death would not end her desire to help souls love Jesus. Her hope is often remembered in the phrase “a shower of roses”—an image of the graces she longed to obtain through her prayers.

For many Catholics, a rose has become a tender reminder of Saint Thérèse’s intercession. Some people receive one during a novena or at an unexpected moment and give thanks for the encouragement. Yet a rose is not a required sign that a prayer has been heard. We can bring our needs to Saint Thérèse with confidence without asking God to prove that He is listening. Every grace comes from Him, and His answer may arrive in a way we did not expect.

This makes the novena a beautiful devotion for family prayer. A child can ask Saint Thérèse for help being patient; a parent can entrust a worry about work or health to her prayers. Together, they can practice her “little way” through small acts of love: a kind word, a hidden sacrifice, or a chore done without complaint.

As you pray, keep your eyes open not only for roses, but also for the quiet ways God may be drawing you closer to Jesus.

When to Begin the Saint Thérèse Novena

You can begin a novena to Saint Therese of Lisieux whenever you have a particular intention or simply wish to grow closer to Jesus through her “Little Way.” A novena is nine days of prayer, not a devotion reserved for one time of year.

Many Catholics choose to pray in preparation for her feast day on October 1. To finish the nine days on September 30, begin on September 22. If your family or parish follows a calendar that celebrates her feast on October 3, begin on September 24 and pray through October 2.

You might also begin when a loved one is ill, your family faces a difficult decision, or a child needs encouragement in faith. Bring that intention to Saint Thérèse each day, asking her to intercede for you before the Lord. Her example reminds us that even a few quiet minutes of prayer, offered with love and trust, can become a beautiful gift to God.

How to Pray the Saint Thérèse Novena

A novena is nine days of prayer offered for a particular intention. You do not need special words or a perfect routine to begin. Set aside a few quiet minutes each day, and bring your needs to God with the trust Saint Thérèse of Lisieux called her “little way.”

1. Choose an intention. You might pray for a family member, healing, a difficult decision, or a deeper love for Jesus. You can also ask for the grace to accept God’s will when the answer is not yet clear.
2. Begin with the Sign of the Cross. Place yourself in God’s presence and name your intention.
3. Ask Saint Thérèse to pray for you. The saints do not grant our prayers themselves; they intercede for us before God.
4. Pray an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Repeat these prayers each day of the novena.
5. Close with a small act of love. In the spirit of Saint Thérèse, offer Jesus an ordinary kindness, a patient response, or a task done faithfully.

You may use this simple prayer each day:

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, you trusted our heavenly Father in the little things of life. Pray for me and for [name your intention]. Help me to love Jesus more deeply, to serve others generously, and to trust in God’s mercy. May His will be done in my life. Amen.

Some people ask Saint Thérèse for a rose as a sign of encouragement during their novena. You are free to make that request, but a rose is not a measure of whether she has heard you. The heart of the devotion is steady prayer and growing trust in God—even when His answer comes in an unexpected way.

Children can join in, too. Invite them to name someone who needs prayer and choose one small act of love for each of the nine days.

Preparing Your Heart for Nine Days of Prayer

Before beginning a novena to Saint Therese of Lisieux, take a quiet moment to name the intention you are bringing to God. It may be a need in your family, a struggle you have carried for years, or a desire to love Jesus more faithfully. You do not need perfect words. Simply tell the Lord what is on your heart and ask Saint Thérèse to pray with you.

Choose a time you can return to each day, even if you have only a few minutes. A prayer card beside your bed or a reminder on the family calendar can help you keep those nine days. If you are praying with children, invite them to offer one small act of kindness each day. Saint Thérèse called this her “little way”: doing ordinary things with great love.

A novena is not a way to secure a particular outcome. We ask for a saint’s intercession because the saints are alive in Christ and united with us in prayer. We can bring our hopes confidently to the Father while remaining open to His wisdom, even when an answer takes time or looks different from what we expected.

If you miss a day, begin again without discouragement. The purpose of these nine days is not to pray flawlessly, but to draw nearer to Jesus with a trusting heart.

Choosing an Intention for the Novena

Before beginning a novena to Saint Therese of Lisieux, take a quiet moment to name the person or need you want to bring before God. Your intention can be specific: a loved one’s return to the Church, a child facing a difficult season, healing for someone who is ill, or the grace to make a wise decision. It can also be as simple as, “Lord, help me trust You today.”

If you are praying as a family, invite each person to share an intention. Children may wish to pray for a sick grandparent or a friend at school. You might also choose one shared intention for all nine days, while leaving room to pray for new needs as they arise.

Saint Thérèse called us to love God through small, faithful acts. As you ask for her intercession, consider praying not only for an outcome but also for the grace to respond with patience, courage, and charity. We ask the saints to pray with us; we entrust the answer to God, who knows our needs and loves those we pray for.

Opening Prayer to Saint Thérèse

Before beginning the novena, take a quiet moment to place your intention before God. If you are praying with your family, you might invite each person to name someone who needs prayer.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, you trusted the Lord in the small moments of daily life. You offered Him ordinary tasks, hidden sacrifices, and a heart full of love. Teach me to follow your “little way” with humility and courage.

Please bring my intention before Jesus: [pause and name your intention]. Pray that I may receive the grace to trust Him, whether His answer comes quickly or asks me to wait. Help me to love the people He has placed in my life and to remain faithful in the duties of each day.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, intercede for me, that I may grow closer to Jesus and seek His will in all things. Amen.

Daily Prayers for the Saint Thérèse Novena

For nine days, bring your intentions to Jesus and ask Saint Thérèse of Lisieux to pray with you. You may begin each day with the Sign of the Cross, name the person or need on your heart, and then pray the prayer below. Saint Thérèse’s “little way” reminds us that even the smallest act can become an offering of love.

Day 1: Trust

Lord Jesus, when I cannot see the path ahead, help me trust Your loving care. Through the intercession of Saint Thérèse, teach me to place my worries in Your hands and take the next small step in faith. Amen.

Day 2: Humility

Saint Thérèse, you knew that holiness does not depend on being noticed. Pray that I may serve gladly in the quiet duties of each day, seeking to please Jesus rather than win praise. Amen.

Day 3: Love at Home

Lord Jesus, my family needs Your grace in ordinary moments. Through Saint Thérèse’s prayers, help us speak kindly, forgive quickly, and make our home a place where Your love is known. Amen.

Day 4: Patience

Saint Thérèse, pray for me when interruptions, disappointments, or the needs of others test my patience. Help me answer with gentleness and offer these moments to God. Amen.

Day 5: Courage in Suffering

Lord Jesus, You are close to those who suffer. Through the intercession of Saint Thérèse, strengthen all who are sick, grieving, or afraid. Help me carry my own crosses with hope, knowing that You never abandon me. Amen.

Day 6: Love for the Eucharist

Saint Thérèse, help me draw near to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament with gratitude and reverence. Pray that receiving Him at Mass may deepen my love for Him and make me more attentive to those around me. Amen.

Day 7: Confidence in Prayer

Lord Jesus, You hear me even when my words are few. Through Saint Thérèse’s intercession, help me persevere in prayer and entrust my intentions to Your wisdom and mercy. Amen.

Day 8: A Heart for Others

Saint Thérèse, you desired to help souls come closer to God. Pray that I may notice someone who needs encouragement today and respond with a small, sincere act of love. Amen.

Day 9: Surrender to God’s Will

Lord Jesus, thank You for hearing these nine days of prayer. Through the intercession of Saint Thérèse, help me accept Your will with a peaceful heart. Whatever the answer to my petition, keep me close to You and teach me to love You more each day. Amen.

Entrust Your Prayers to Saint Thérèse

A novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is an invitation to bring your needs before God with the confidence of a child. For nine days, you can ask this beloved saint to pray with you—for a loved one who is struggling, for healing, for peace at home, or for the grace to trust Jesus more deeply.

Saint Thérèse’s “Little Way” reminds us that holiness is not reserved for extraordinary people. It grows in ordinary moments: a patient word, a hidden sacrifice, a chore done with love. Families can make the novena part of their evening prayers, giving children a simple way to learn that the saints are our friends in heaven and that every small act of love matters.

As you pray, remember that Saint Thérèse does not grant our petitions by her own power. She intercedes for us before the Lord, who knows our needs and loves us beyond measure. Whether your answer comes as you hoped or in a quieter, unexpected way, let these nine days draw you closer to Christ, especially in the Eucharist.

At Journeys of Faith, we pray that Saint Thérèse’s example helps you persevere in prayer and offer each day to Jesus with a trusting heart.

Take the Next Step with Saint Thérèse

A novena to Saint Therese of Lisieux is an invitation to bring your needs to God with trust. For nine days, set aside a few quiet moments to pray, asking Saint Thérèse to intercede for you and help you follow her “Little Way” of doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.

You can begin simply:

• Choose an intention. Pray for a loved one, a difficult decision, your parish, or a deeper love for Jesus.
• Make room for daily prayer. Keep a prayer card nearby, or gather your family for a few minutes each evening.
• Practice the Little Way. Offer God one small act of patience, kindness, or generosity each day.
• Entrust the outcome to Him. Saint Thérèse teaches us to ask boldly while trusting the Lord’s wisdom and timing.

At Journeys of Faith, we’re here to help you carry that prayer beyond the nine days. Explore our books, prayer cards, medals, and other Catholic resources for ways to learn about the saints and draw closer to Christ.

Begin your novena today, and ask Saint Thérèse to accompany you as you place your hopes in the hands of our loving Father.

FAQs About the Novena to Saint Thérèse

What is the Novena to Saint Thérèse?

The Novena to Saint Thérèse is nine days of prayer asking Saint Therese of Lisieux to intercede for us before God. It is also an invitation to follow her “Little Way”: loving Jesus through small acts of faithfulness, trust, and charity in everyday life.

When is the best time to start the Novena to Saint Thérèse?

You can begin whenever you have a particular intention or simply want to grow closer to Jesus. Many Catholics start on September 22 and finish on September 30, the eve of her October 1 feast day. There is no need to wait for a special date—Saint Thérèse’s example speaks to ordinary days, too.

How long does the Novena to Saint Thérèse last?

A novena lasts nine days. Try to set aside a few quiet minutes each day, but do not be discouraged if family life or other responsibilities interrupt your plans. Return to prayer and place your intention in God’s hands.

What are the typical prayers included in the Novena?

Versions vary, but each day usually includes an opening prayer, a personal intention, and a petition for Saint Thérèse’s intercession. Some also include the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. You may pray for a specific grace while remembering that every answer rests in God’s wisdom and love.

Can anyone pray the Novena to Saint Thérèse?

Yes. Individuals, families, and parish groups can all pray this novena. Children can take part with a simple intention or a small act of kindness inspired by Saint Thérèse. Whether you know every prayer by heart or are just beginning, you are welcome to ask for her prayers and entrust yourself to Jesus.