INTRODUCTION
In January 1897, Saint Thérèse received a special request from her sister Pauline, the prioress of the Carmel of Lisieux, known as Mother Agnès of Jesus. She asked Thérèse to write a poem for her feast day on January 21st, the feast of Saint Agnes.
In Carmelite monasteries, the prioress’s feast day is always a joyful occasion. The community celebrates with a festive meal, perhaps a formal afternoon tea, and lively evening recreation with entertainment from the sisters.
Thérèse gladly fulfilled Pauline’s request and wrote the poem My Joy! (PN 45). She even noted a popular tune it could be sung to, Où vas-tu petit oiseau? (Where goest thou, pretty bird?), a cantilène by Paul Léopold Amat, first published in Europe in 1854 (fils de B. Schott, Mainz) and in the United States in 1859 (Oliver Ditson). Amat composed the tune for lyrics by Théodore Seguret. In the upper right-hand corner of Thérèse’s copy for Abbé Bellière, she wrote the first line of Amat’s song, “Rêve, parfum ou frais murmure” (Dream, fragrance, or cool breeze).
Thérèse later told Pauline that this poem was autobiographical, saying, “my entire soul is there!”
As we approach the 2025 Centenary of Saint Thérèse’s canonization, this novena offers a meaningful way to prepare for this milestone. In a world filled with challenges, we all long for a “cool breeze”—a fresh perspective, a source of encouragement. Thérèse’s seven stanzas offer that encouragement, pointing us toward a joy that is deep and lasting.
Our novena begins with a passage from Manuscript C of Saint Thérèse’s writings, where she shares her experience of the trial of faith. Over the next nine days, we’ll explore this poem and conclude with one of her final conversations with Pauline, where Thérèse once again speaks of trials and trust.
Where can we find joy? Thérèse will show us, through her words and her life, that true joy comes from within—where God dwells in our hearts.
NOVENA MEDITATIONS
Join us as we pray every day! As our novena unfolds, each day you will see a new link for our meditations from St. Thérèse
NOVENA PRAYER
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus,
remember your promise to do good on earth;
send your shower of roses in abundance
on those who call upon you,
and obtain for us from God the graces
we are waiting to receive from His infinite goodness.
mention your intentions here
God our Father,
you have promised your kingdom
to those who are willing to become like little children.
Help us to follow the way of Saint Thérèse with confidence
so that by her prayers
we may come to know your eternal glory.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever. Amen.
We always refer to the website of the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux for the vast majority of our quotes concerning Saint Thérèse, Saint Zélie, and Saint Louis Martin. If you would like to purchase English translations for the collected works of St. Thérèse, please visit the website of our Discalced Carmelite friars at ICS Publications.
https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/09/22/tejnovena24-0/
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