Day 1 — The volcano of love

Meditation

Saint Therese from a very young age felt a burning desire to love God with all her heart. Her soul was a volcano of love that consumed her with longings for holiness. At fifteen she entered the Carmel of Lisieux, where she lived hidden and surrendered to the merciful love of God. She teaches us that love is the shortest path to holiness.

Prayer of the Day

Little Flower of Jesus! By that volcano of love that inflamed your heart, whose divine ardors were the sweet martyrdom that consumed your life, grant that I too may totally surrender my heart with all its hopes to God alone, so that he may transform and save it. Amen.

Prayer for all days

Saint Therese! I come to your feet full of confidence to ask for favors. The cross of life weighs heavily upon me, and I find nothing but thorns among its branches. Little Flower of Jesus! Send upon my soul a shower of flowers of grace and virtue so that I may climb the Calvary of life intoxicated by your perfumes. Send me a smile from your heavenly lips and a glance from your beautiful eyes. My God! Through the intercession of Saint Therese, give me strength to fulfill my duty exactly and grant me the grace I ask in this novena. Amen.

Final Prayer

O unique little saint! Teach us the «little way» of your spiritual childhood. My glorious little saint! I confidently hope that you will obtain from God the special grace I ask in this novena. I, in turn, promise to imitate, with all my strength, your heroic examples. Meanwhile, like you, O Little Flower of Jesus, I wish to scatter on earth the flowers of my affection at the feet of the Love of Loves.