MORNING

At this time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, 'I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'
-- Matthew 18:1-4

Prayers:

God our Father,
you have promised your kingdom
to those who are willing to become like little children.
Help us to follow the ways of Saint Therese 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,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Therese,
you who are a beloved child of God
and who boldly trusted God's mercy,
teach me how to let myself be loved by God,
who is love.
Help me to fall into His arms like the prodigal son,
and to give back to God my life and my death.
Help me to open myself freely to His tenderness,
so as not to take away from His Father's heart
the joy of loving me.
Amen.

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AFTERNOON

"Love!... that is what I ask... I know but one thing now –– to love You, O Jesus! Glorious deeds are not for me, I cannot preach the Gospel, shed my blood... what does it matter? My brothers toil instead of me, and I, the little child, I keep quite close to the royal throne, I love for those who fight."
-- St. Therese, Story of a Soul, Chapter XI

Prayer:

God our Father,
who inflamed the soul of your servant
Therese of the Child Jesus'
with the Spirit of Love,
grant that we also may love you,
and make you much loved.
Amen.

"The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His Heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity..."
-- St. Therese, VI letter to her sister Celine

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EVENING

All the earth with snow is covered,
Everywhere the white frosts reign;
Winter and his gloomy courtiers
Hold their court on earth again.
But for you has bloomed the Flower
Of the fields, Who comes to earth
From the fatherland of heaven,
Where eternal spring has birth.
Near the Rose of Christmas, Sister!
In the lowly grasses hide,
And be like the humble flowerets, --
Of heaven's King the lowly bride!
-- St. Therese (1873 - 1897), The Flower, a Poem

Prayer:

Dear Little Therese,
by love and suffering while you were on earth,
you won the power with God which you now enjoy in heaven.
Since your life there began,
you have showered down countless blessings on the poor world;
you have been an instrument made use of by your divine Spouse
to work countless miracles.
I beg of you to remember all my needs.
Sufferings must come to me also,
may I use them to love God more,
and follow my Jesus better.
You are especially the little missionary of love.
Help me love Jesus more,
and all others for His sake.
With all my heart I thank the most Holy Trinity
for the wonderful blessings conferred on you,
and upon the world through you.
Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.
Amen.