Day 3- Her Insatiable Thirst for Suffering

"I can truly say, that suffering opened her arms to me from the first, and I took her to my heart."  ~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:

When St. Therese was a child, after receiving Holy Communion, she would often pray:  "O my God, Who are unspeakable sweetness, turn into bitterness for me all the consolations of earth."  Even as a small child, her desire for only her Heavenly reward was always on her heart.

St. Therese said, "When the way of perfection was opened out before me, I realized that in order to become a Saint one must suffer much,...always seek the most perfect path, and forget oneself.  I also understood that there are many degrees of holiness, that each soul is free to respond to the calls of Our Lord, to do much or little for His love- in a word, to choose among the sacrifices He asks.  And then... I cried out: 'My God, I choose everything.  I will not be a Saint by halves.  I am not afraid of suffering for Thee.  I fear only one thing, and that is to do my own will.  Accept the offering of my will, for I choose all that Thou willest.'"

At the close of her life, Saint Therese does not falter.  She says, "Yes, all that I have written about my thirst for suffering is really true.  I do not regret having surrendered myself to Love."

Prayer:

O St. Therese, help me to view suffering as you did, to realize that God never loves me so much as when He gives me the Cross as my portion, and obtain for me a delicate and refined love like yours.  Pray for me, that God may give me the light to see the immense value of suffering for His own glory, for my eternal reward, and for the salvation of souls.  May I too, be wholly consumed by an insatiable thirst for suffering.  I also recommend to you my special intentions in this Novena.  (Specify your intentions.)  God will refuse you nothing.

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