Day 16- Her Breastplate- The Gift of Fortitude

"If you faithfully continue to give pleasure to Him in small things, Jesus will feel bound to help you in the greater."  ~ 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 that she was given the virtue of Fortitude at her confirmation- a virtue that helps one to submit promptly, joyfully and spontaneously to the will of God.  By her fidelity to this virtue and her continuous prayers, she cultivated this virtue of fortitude so much so that she was able to withstand many sufferings.  With this said, St. Therese knew that it was the Holy Spirit who gave her the strength to persevere in her trials.  She said, "I could never ask greater sufferings from God.  If He were to increase them, I would endure them gladly, because they would be of His sending.  But if I were to ask for them, they would be my own, and I should have to bear them all alone;  and I have never been able to do anything by myself."   St. Therese became strong with Divine strength and endured with joy what many would consider unendurable.

Prayer:

Dear St. Therese, please pray for me to the Holy Spirit to endow me with the gift of Fortitude as you were.  I desire to promptly and joyfully submit to the will of God in all things.  I do not ask God to give me trials but that I will be open to any that He deems necessary to send my way for my sanctification.  I desire for the Holy Spirit to give me the strength I need to do 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....