Adapted from the writings
of St. Thérèse of Lisieux [1]
by Fr. Richard Barker - September 30, 1997
(Sign of the Cross to start.)
DISCIPLESHIP
(Offer your personal intention to St. Thérèse.)
LORD, GRANT that I may imitate the sanctity of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and seek to follow her example of Love. Help me to sanctify my daily duties and pleasures by accepting all the little contradictions and sacrifices of each day. God above, call me to be a saint in the world, worthy of Your special plans for me.
O MY God, I really want to listen to You. Make me see things as they really are, and place things in me which will do good to me and to others. Jesus make me like you! (Three Times)
SUFFERING
(Offer your personal intention to your Guardian Angel.)
O JESUS, Whose Holy Face is the sole beauty that conquers my heart, earth's exile denies me the ineffable tenderness of Your kiss and the sweetness of Your glance. Imprint in me, I pray, Your divine likeness. Inflame me with divine Love that it may quickly consume me, and I may soon reach the vision of Your glorious face in heaven.
O MY God, I really want to listen to You. Make me see things as they really are, and place things in me which will do good to me and to others. Jesus make me like you! (Three Times)
HUMILITY
(Offer your personal intention to God the Father.)
GENTLE FATHER, let confidence alone lead me to You, for I cannot pay any of the debts I owe to Your merciful Love. O my God, pay the debt Yourself, but do it in a way that only You can do, so that it may be infinitely better than if I myself had fulfilled my obligations.
JESUS MAKE me like you! Inspire me to accept courageously the first grace which comes from You. Give me, my Good God, the strength to exert a great effort and accomplish the sacrifice You ask of me. Strengthen my heart and lead me from victory to victory. (THREE Times)
SIMPLICITY
(Offer your personal intention to Christ the Son.)
DIVINE SAVIOUR, permit me to labor solely out of Love, consoling Your Sacred Heart and saving souls. I desire to love You and to make You loved. In the evening of this life, I shall appear before You with empty hands. O Lord, I will have no works that are worthy of You. Then judge me according to the merits of Your own works!
JESUS MAKE me like you! Inspire me to accept courageously the first grace which comes from You. Give me, my Good God, the strength to exert a great effort and accomplish the sacrifice You ask of me. Strengthen my heart and lead me from victory to victory. (THREE Times)
VOCATIONS
(Offer your personal intention to the Holy Spirit.)
O HOLY Spirit! O Most Blessed Paraclete! Teach me that Love comprises all vocations. I pray for the sanctification of our priests and all apostles who labor for the good of the Church. There are many empty places at the Banquet Table. Jesus has given me the task to fill them. Mindful of the urgency of my mission, I beseech You, my Consoler, to be my inspiration and strength. May I spend all my hours on earth doing the work of heaven!
JESUS MAKE me like you! Inspire me to accept courageously the first grace which comes from You. Give me, my Good God, the strength to exert a great effort and accomplish the sacrifice You ask of me. Strengthen my heart and lead me from victory to victory. (THREE Times)
CONFIDENCE
(Ask Mary, Mother of Jesus, to pray for you.)
O GOD, make me humble and little as a child in Your arms. I wish to be confident even to audacity before Your infinite goodness. Help me to practice all the virtues. Lift my little foot to mount the ladder to paradise. I wait patiently for You like a baby sparrow. Hear my little chirp and place within my mouth the food of heaven.
JESUS MAKE me like you! Inspire me to accept courageously the first grace which comes from You. Give me, my Good God, the strength to exert a great effort and accomplish the sacrifice You ask of me. Strengthen my heart and lead me from victory to victory. (THREE Times)
(Sign of the Cross to finish.)
THREE PRAYERS OF THE "LITTLE WAY"
“Divine Savior”
DIVINE SAVIOR, at the close of my life, come search for me without a shadow of delay. Ah! show me Your endless tenderness and the sweetness of Your divine glance. With Love, Oh! how Your voice calls to me, saying, Come, all is pardoned. Rest yourself, my faithful spouse. Come to My heart, much have you loved Me.
“Guide Me Lord”
LORD, YOU have told us Yourself: Greater love hath no man than to give his life for those he loves, and You, O Jesus, are the One I love above all others. It is late, already it is evening. Come and guide me, Lord, along my way. With Your cross I am climbing the hill. Stay with me, Pilgrim from Heaven. Your Love is my only martyrdom. The more I feel it burn within me, the more does my soul desire You. Jesus make me die of Love for You!
“Little Lamp”
MY LORD, allow me to be the little lamp which lights up the community of faith, indeed an infinity of others, even the whole universe. Permit me to be the hidden soul offering graces and lights for those who are in darkness and cannot pray. I offer my prayer with great Love, with a Love much greater than that of a family and even the most perfect family on earth. Help me to be a spark capable of giving birth to great lights in the Church. May I discover in heaven the joy of realizing that we owe to each other the graces that merited our crowns.
[1] Chaplet and Prayers dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Herbst of Mary's Corner.
