How to Say a Novena to St. Therese the Little Flower

Reciting the Saint Therese Novena

Get into a comfortable position and quiet yourself for prayer. You can say the prayer any time of day and anywhere you want. However, many people prefer to pray in a special, quiet place, such as their bedroom or in a church. You may stand, sit, or kneel depending on what feels most comfortable to you. Some people also light candles while they pray to help them focus. If you have a prayer candle, try lighting it before you get started.

Recite the first half of the prayer on the Saint Therese prayer card. The prayer varies depending on who produced the card, but it goes something like this: “Oh Glorious Saint Therese, whom Almighty God raised up to aid and inspire us, I implore your Miraculous Intercession. You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you 'Prodigy of Miracles’ and ‘the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.'” Another option you might try is: “St. Therese, the Little Flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more.”

Make your request to Saint Therese. Say, “I pray that you will answer my petition if it is God’s will,” and then say what you’re asking for. Be very specific about your needs and express them honestly to Saint Therese. For example, if you have a loved one who is experiencing health problems, say their name and what they’re going through. Then, ask Saint Therese intercede on behalf of them to God and to help them heal.

Close by placing emphasis on your good intentions. It’s important to close with something about your intentions. Say that you intend to live as Saint Therese did and demonstrate your love for God through your words and actions. Try saying something like, “Little Flower, please grant me your childlike faith. I wish to see God working in my daily life, and love God more every day. Saint Therese, I will fulfill your plea and continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen.”

Repeat the prayer daily over the course of 9 days. Novenas are meant to be said every day for a set period of time. Traditionally, Saint Therese’s novena is said every day for 9 days. Make sure that you remember to say the prayer every day. Set a reminder for yourself on your phone or leave yourself a note somewhere you will see it, such as on your bathroom mirror. If possible, recite the prayer daily between the 9th and 17th of the month. These are dates when people traditionally say Saint Therese's novena, so if you say it during this time, you'll be joining with many other people in prayer.

Follow the prayer with 24 “Glory Be to the Father” prayers. Each day after you finish your prayer to Saint Therese, say the “Glory Be to the Father” prayer 24 times—1 time for each of the years Saint Therese spent on Earth. The “Glory Be” prayer is as follows: ”Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”Tip: Use the beads on a rosary to help you keep track of how many times you’ve said the prayer.

Using Other Prayers to Saint Therese

Try saying the “My Novena Rose Prayer.” This is a shortened version of Saint Therese’s novena, which you may find useful if you want to incorporate a prayer to Saint Therese into your daily life. Try praying the “My Rose” prayer when you wake up in the morning or before going to bed at night as a way to reflect, connect with God, and ask for help. This prayer is often printed on the back side of Saint Therese prayer cards.

Use the “Miraculous Intervention to Saint Therese” for a great need. This is a powerful prayer meant for when you're in a dire situation and you need Saint Therese’s help. Try praying the “Miraculous Intervention to Saint Therese” when you’re in need of help and your other prayers don’t seem to be working. You can find this prayer on prayer cards or by searching for it online.Tip: Keep in mind that it can sometimes take a while for your prayers to be answered. Try to be patient and keep praying. Reach out to friends and family during your time of need and ask them to join you in prayer or support you in other ways.

Honor Saint Therese on her feast day with the “Feast Day Novena.” October 1st is Saint Therese’s feast day because she died on September 30th. By saying Saint Therese’s Feast Day Novena prayer on her feast day, you will be honoring her and reflecting on how you can enrich your spiritual life. You can also make a petition to Saint Therese on her feast day using this prayer. You can find this prayer online or on some Saint Therese prayer cards. Carmelite nuns recite this prayer on Saint Therese’s feast day, so by reciting it on Saint Therese’s feast day you’ll be joining in prayer with them.