Society of the Little Flower

Thanksgiving
Novena
A nine-day novena in the spirit of
St. Thérèse and her “little way”

Written by:
Fr. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm.
Table of Contents
Day One ....................................... page 3
Day Two ....................................... page 5
Day Three .................................... page 7
Day Four ...................................... page 9
Day Five ..................................... page 11
Day Six ....................................... page 13
Day Seven ................................. page 15
Day Eight ................................... page 17
Day Nine .................................... page 19
 Day One
Parents and Family

Words of St. Thérèse

“The good God gave me a father and mother
more worthy of Heaven than of earth.”
Pictured: Sts Louis and Zelie Martin, Parents of St. Thérèse
-3-
Our Novena Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for my
parents and family – the people you
choose for me. Even though they are
not always all I want them to be, they
are Your gift. Help me to learn from
them about You! I am grateful for
the heritage of my life, the way You
inserted me into Your human family.

-4-
 Day Two
Life and Time

Words of St. Thérèse

“My life is but an instant, an hour that passes
by; To love you, my dearest God, I only have
today.”
-5-
Our Novena Prayer
I am grateful to be alive, Lord. I’m
breathing. Time passes quickly, and I
forget that all life is gift from You Who
are breathing me into life moment by
moment. Help me to be present in
the sacrament of each moment – to
where You are with me right now. I am
grateful to you for every moment of
life You give me.

-6-
 Day Three
Dreaming Big

Words of St. Thérèse

“My God, I choose all! I don’t want to be a saint
by halves… I choose all that You will!”
-7-
Our Novena Prayer
Generous God, I am grateful that I
yearn for more – for the wholeness of
life and connection with everything.
Thank you for the restlessness that
keeps me growing until I become more
like You, Inclusive Love. I am grateful
for everyone and everything you send
my way. We rejoice that through Mary,
You chose to make us Your Temple,
the living Body of Your Christ.
-8-
 Day Four
The Challenge of Love

Words of St. Thérèse

“…Jesus, who fashions people’s souls skillfully,
does not want us to stand about admiring the
facade – he wants us to make our way in, till
we reach the inner sanctuary which is His
chosen dwelling and admire the beauty there.”
-9-
Our Novena Prayer
God of Mystery, gratitude does fill
my heart, even as You challenge and
confuse me. There are people in my
life experience who challenge my
tolerance and love. Sometimes I wish
that I did not have to deal with them.
But I know and am thankful that You
believe enough in me to stretch and
refine me. They open me up to the
bigger picture of your unconditional
and all inclusive presence and love for
you all your people. Help me not to
judge on externals or my emotional
reaction, even as I praise, honor and
celebrate Your Gift of Presence in
every one of Your children.

-10-
 Day Five
Our Pope

Words of St. Thérèse

“On Nov 20th, we had a papal audience. Our
emotion was profound when we saw Pope Leo
XIII enter the chapel to celebrate Holy Mass.
After blessing the numerous pilgrims gathered
around him, he climbed the steps of the altar
and showed us through his piety, worthy of the
Vicar of Jesus, that he was truly ‘the Holy Father.’”
-11-
Our Novena Prayer
God, our Holy Father, we are so
grateful that we have a Pope who
loves people and challenges us to live
the Gospel values of Jesus, Your Son
and our brother. He gives us such
great renewed hope to our Church, to
Christianity and to the whole human
family. Our hearts are thankful that
he helps us ascend the steps of
our higher nature as Your beloved
daughters and sons. His simplicity and
humility ennobles us all. Thank you for
blessing us with such a Good Father
and Universal Shepherd.
-12-
 Day Six
Purpose in Life

Words of St. Thérèse

“I understood that love comprises all vocations –
that love is everything, and because it is eternal,
embraces all times and places. My vocation is
love. It is You, O my God, who has given it to me.
In the heart of the Church, my Mother, I shall be
love. Thus I shall be everything and my dream
will be realized.” -13-
Our Novena Prayer
You put every one of us here for a
purpose, Great God! Thank you for
creating and sustaining me, and
including me as a special and unique
manifestation of Your Love in our
world. I’m grateful to know that I have
a purpose in the grand scheme of Your
Kingdom. My gratitude is wrapped in
humility that You allow me to make a
special difference in the lives of others.

-14-
 Day Seven
Trust Amid Suffering

Words of St. Thérèse

“Our Lord never asks sacrifices from us beyond
our strength. At times, it is true this Divine Savior
makes us feel all the bitterness of the chalice
that He is offering our soul. When He asks the
sacrifice of all that is precious in this world, it is
impossible, without a very special grace, not to
cry out like Him in the garden of agony… It is very
consoling to think that Jesus, the Strong God,
knew our weaknesses.”
-15-
Our Novena Prayer
Good God, the sufferings and
struggles of life are a challenge to
bear. Yet I am most grateful that You
believe in my strength and ability to
learn from them. Jesus knows our
human weakness and fear – Your
mercy embraces our struggles. I am
so grateful that Your Merciful Heart
knows and understands my weakness,
rather than judges and frowns. Your
awesome Presence carries me through
the darkness. Thank you!

-16-
 Day Eight
The Cycle of Life

Words of St. Thérèse

“I have noticed in all the serious circumstances
of my life that nature always reflected the image
of my soul. On days filled with tears the heavens
cried along with me; on days of joy the sun sent
forth its joyful rays in profusion, and the blue
skies were not obscured by a single cloud.”
-17-
Our Novena Prayer
Thank you for the variety of seasons
and moods in my life. Thank you
for the love affair You have with me
and the whole creation reflected
in the changing seasons of sun,
shadows, transformations, dormancy
and renewed life; seasons of light,
darkness, rain, heat, cold and warmth,
worry and warmth.Thank you for the
exchange and intimacy of life I so often
take for granted.

-18-
 Day Nine
Graced Reality

Words of St. Thérèse

“Everything is grace!”
-19-
Our Novena Prayer
Extravagant God, I am so thankful that
we live in an enchanted world of grace.
Your Presence and fingerprints are
everywhere, even hidden. Thank you for
giving me the faith to see and listen to
all people, experiences, challenges and
disappointments as ways You are refining
and loving me. Thank you for every
opportunity and experience of life which
calls me closer and refines my love. Thank
you for the grace of the struggle, which
is hope. Thank you for the generous and
abundant ways of love and presence. I
especially thank you for Your Son Jesus
who has connected us with you, and in
whom we can say THANK YOU, ABBA! Help
me to enjoy the family and friends I share
your blessings with this day, and take care
of those who do not have the blessings we
enjoy.
-20-
 Society of the Little Flower
1313 N. Frontage Rd.
Darien, IL 60561
800-621-2806
littleflower.org

The mission of the Society of the Little

Flower is to promote devotion to Saint
Thérèse of the Child Jesus, the Carmelite
Nun and Doctor of the Church. Through
prayers and donations, friends of St. Thérèse
enable Carmelites throughout the world to
make a difference in peoples life through
their ministries and in the education of
seminarians.