Day 8- Martyrdom of the Heart

"My heart is naturally sensitive, and because of this, is a cause of much suffering.  I wish to offer Jesus all that it can bear."  ~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:

The pains of the heart are often times more painful than the body!  St. Therese knew this very well because since she was a child, she craved for love and affection.  St. Therese also knew that these pains of her heart could become a great proof of her love of God.  She chose to bear her sadness and disappointments with joy so as to make them a precious gift to her Beloved.  There are many stories where St. Therese showed this joy while her heart was laid open- one of which was to not show affection to the three of her sisters that were in her convent with her.  Her "Little Mother," Pauline, was the most difficult to not pour her heart to.  St. Therese later wrote to her sister and said, "O my little mother, how I suffered!  I could not open my heart to you, and I thought that you no longer knew me."  Doesn't this ring true in our own lives?  Don't we all desire for someone to "know us"- know what we like, don't like, what we are feeling or where we have been?  We all crave to be known and for St. Therese, she suffered greatly because she had no one to share her longings of her heart with.

Prayer:

Dear St. Therese, help me to welcome the sufferings I endure to my heart.  Help me to find joy in the many disappointments and heartaches that I am confronted with- knowing that I can offer this sacrifice as a priceless gift to Our Lord.  Help me seek only to be truly known by God.  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....