Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)
Theresa of the Child Jesus, "The Little Flower"
Memorial, October 1
"I have realized that whoever undertakes to do anything for the sake of earthly things or to earn the praise of others, deceives himself. Today one thing pleases the world, tomorrow another; and what is praised on one occasion is denounced on another. Blessed are you, my Lord and my God, for you are unchangeable for all eternity. Whoever serves you faithfully to the end will enjoy life without end in eternity. Amen."
O Lord, you who said: Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven: grant, we beseech you, that in humility and simplicity of heart we may so follow the blessed virgin Theresa, as to obtain reward everlasting. Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
O servant of God, Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus, who in your dying moments said: I will spend my heaven in doing good upon earth, hasten to let fall upon me a shower of roses that I, too, may be inflamed with that fire of love which burned so brilliantly in your breast and which brought you so gloriously to the arms of Jesus, my Lord and my God. Amen.