Day 24- Love of Souls

"I longed at all costs to snatch souls from the eternal flames of Hell." 

 ~ 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 loved God so much that she desired to bring many more souls to love God just the same!  She had a true thirst for souls just as our Lord said from the cross, "I thirst."  She knew the grave importance of saving souls too when she said, "Oh, let us not waste our time!  Let us save souls!  Souls are falling into Hell, innumerable as the flakes of snow on a winter's day, and Jesus weeps; and we are brooding over our own sorrow, instead of thinking of consoling Him."  This was what Our Lady of Fatima told the three little shepherd children too, that "Souls are falling into Hell like snowflakes in a snowstorm."  St. Therese also knew how greatly God was neglected and how much God is thirsting for our love and hearts that will surrender everything to Him without reserve.  She desired then to ease the pain of her dear Beloved by opening her own heart to Him and taking all of His neglect and rejected love, bringing Him much consolation.  In doing this, she became a "victim of God's merciful love," and won over many more souls who would love God for all eternity.

Prayer:

Dear St. Therese, I desire to console the most merciful heart of Jesus as you did and to bring to Him many more souls who will love Him for all eternity!  Help me to see the great opportunity in all of my sacrifices throughout my day to become a "Victim of God's merciful love" and open my heart to Our Lord that He will not feel any more neglect but only love.  I desire, through my own sacrificial love, to save many souls who would otherwise be on the brink of damnation, so that they too might enjoy the beauty of Heaven for all eternity!  Please pray for my desires to be fulfilled!

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....