This is another article I wrote ten years ago (back in 2015) for TAN Homeschool on 5 Little Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Therese. It’s no longer available on their site so adding it here to the blog.
The feast of St. Thérèse is celebrated each year on October 1st (new calendar) and October 3rd (traditional calendar). Here are five little ways to celebrate her feast day at home with your children.
From the Book Basket
“I am but a weak and helpless child, yet it is my very weakness which makes me dare to offer myself, O Jesus, as victim to Thy Love.” – St. Thérèse
In addition to the precious Catholic Treasure Box Books published by TAN (also available directly from the publisher here), The Little Flower of Jesus by Sister Julita is another favorite of all the little ones in our home, complete with full color pictures on every page.
The Little Flower: The Story of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (also available direct from TAN) makes an excellent family read-aloud.
Two of my personal favorites (in addition to The Story of a Soul) are Thérèse and Lisieux by Pierre Descouvemont (Translated into English, it is filled from cover to cover with photographs, illustrations and texts documenting the life and times of St. Therese.) and Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s St. Therese – A Treasured Love Story. (Updated to add: A paperback edition is now available as well.)
You can find my complete list of St. Therese picture books (and other books for October!) here.
Coloring Pages
“Without love, deeds – even the most brilliant, count as nothing.”
“Little Saint Thérèse” Paper Dolls can be purchased and downloaded from Stella Marigold Art over at Etsy! They are available in articulated or traditional style. (Here is another option as well!)
You can also find coloring pages of St. Thérèse as a child and in habit at Waltzing Matilda.
Arts & Crafts
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest thing right and doing it all for love.” – St. Therésè
“St. Therésè, the Little Flower, as a child, used a small string of beads in her pocket to help her count the gifts she did to offer to God. In this way she was able to advance in perfection daily. You too, can grow in holiness by following the example of the Little Flower. Sacrifice Beads or Good Deed Beads are a string of ten beads, which can be pulled and remain in place. They are used to count the acts of love or sacrifices a person makes in a day for God. The string of beads helps a person to grow in virtue by challenging them to be faithful in making acts of love each day. Sacrifice Beads also have a fixed Our Father bead on the end of them and can double up as a rosary.” For more information or to order sacrifice beads or kits, visit: www.thelittleways.com.
You can also find directions for making Sacrifice Beads in the archives.
Catholic Cuisine
St. Thérèse, the little flower, please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love; ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more. – Rose Novena
There are many rose themed recipes that are perfect for this special feast. Check out Heavenly Garden Apple Rose Pastries, Rose Cupcakes, Rose Cake, Heavenly Rose Garden Tea Sandwiches, or Rose Bread for inspiration or simply decorate your table with a vase of fresh cut roses! (Update to add: You could also Bake Eclairs!)
Family Prayer
“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” – St. Thérèse
The Twenty-four ‘Glory Be’s’ Novena to St. Thérèse is said to be the most dear to the Little Flower. You can read a story about this novena here.
The Glory Be is said 24 times each day for nine days, in thanksgiving for all the blessings and favors given to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus during the 24 years of her life. Start the novena each day with this prayer:
“Holy Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit, I thank You for all the blessings and favors You have showered upon the soul of Your servant Thérèse of the Child Jesus, during the 24 years she spent here on earth, and in consideration of the merits of this, Your most beloved Saint, I beseech You to grant me this favor, if it is in accordance with Your most Holy Will and is not an obstacle to my salvation.”
After this prayer, follow with the 24 Glory Be’s, between each of which should be included this short prayer”
“Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us.”
I also really love the Morning Prayer written by St. Therese! 🌹
You can find many more ideas for celebrating the feast of St. Thérèse here.
0 Comments