Day 11- Genuine Joy

"Jesus loves the joyous heart.  He loves the ever-smiling soul."  ~St. Therese 

Preparatory Prayer:

Dear St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, I thank the Most Holy Trinity for all the graces lavished upon you, and through you upon the world.  I have great confidence in your intercession, both because of your power in Heaven, since you yourself said that "God would refuse you nothing," and because of your goodness and your promise that "no one would invoke you without receiving answer, since you would "spend your Heaven in doing good upon earth" and "let fall from Heaven a shower of roses."  Intercede for me with the loving Hearts of Jesus and Mary, that the Holy Spirit may assist me to understand your teaching on "Joy in Suffering" and may grant me the gift of fortitude, that fired with a burning love of God and souls, I may eagerly follow you in joyous suffering and share in your glorious triumph.  I promise to show my heartfelt gratitude by doing whatever I can to promote your honor and to make you ever more widely known and loved throughout the world, for the greater glory of the Most Holy Trinity.  Amen.

Reflection:

St. Therese said, "The only real happiness on earth is to strive always to think 'how goodly is the chalice' that Jesus gives us..." She new that each of our sufferings in a "gift" from God, to transform us to be holy and thus- to be a saint one day.  St. Therese accepted all things that happened to her as if they were straight from the hand of God and she trusted in everything that He was doing in her life- even when there may seem to be not earthly explanation.  Do we see our own trials in this way?  Do we trust in Our Lord with everything that He has allowed us to go through- knowing that it is actually a "gift" in disguise to form us into saints?  St Therese confirmed this when someone felt pity for her suffering, she said, "Don't be so sad about me; I have reached the point of not being ale to suffer any more, because all suffering is sweet to me."

 

Prayer:

Dear St. Therese, I desire to truly find joy in my life, amongst all my trials and everyday monotony.  Please pray for me to trust in Our Dear Jesus and all that He is doing in my life.  Help me to see all my sufferings as "gifts" directly from the hand of God for my own unique holiness.  I know that with accepting God's will in my life will come a great peace and true joy in knowing that I am living completely in His will.  I also recommend to you my special intentions in this Novena (Specify your intentions.)  To one who has suffered so much for Him, God will refuse nothing.

Our Father....  Hail Mary....  Glory Be....