About this novena
This is an original nine-day devotional adaptation written for Prayers & Reflections, not an official liturgical text or a reproduction of a particular shrine’s novena. Each day offers a distinct intention and a practical response of faith. Novenas invite persevering prayer and do not guarantee a particular result.
The guided companion follows the St. Vincent novena’s six sections. The nine-day Scripture cycle follows the St. Vincent companion. Scripture, reflection, intentions and thanksgiving are companion additions; the devotional prayer text is preserved. Scripture readings use the public-domain Douay-Rheims Bible. Added community prayers and reflections are original devotional texts.
Prayer text
Read the full nine-day novena text
How to pray this novena
Pray the opening prayer, the prayer for the appropriate day, and the closing prayer on each of nine days. Name your intention in silence. These original devotional prayers may be prayed individually or together.
Opening prayer
God of mercy, gather us in your presence as we begin this novena. We bring you our intention, our gratitude, and the needs of those who cannot find words to pray. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Open our hearts to trust and love in small daily actions. Help us to receive your answer with trust and to put our faith into action. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Day 1 · Childlike trust
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Ask Jesus to help us receive the Father's love without trying to earn perfection. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to begin prayer simply and admit our need for grace. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 2 · Little acts
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Pray that we may stop postponing love until a dramatic opportunity appears. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us perform an ordinary task with care for the person it serves. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 3 · Patience
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Bring to Christ our frustration with people whose habits differ from our own. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to answer one irritation with patience instead of a cutting remark. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 4 · Hidden service
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Ask for freedom from the need to have every good deed noticed or praised. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us quietly complete a neglected task for the good of another. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 5 · Weakness
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Pray for those discouraged by their limitations, repeated failures, or slow progress. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Lead us to ask forgiveness and begin again rather than surrender to shame. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 6 · Love of the Church
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Intercede for communities wounded by division, disappointment, or a lack of mutual trust. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to contribute faithfully without ignoring the need for truth and accountability. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 7 · Mission
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Remember missionaries and all who share the Gospel through difficult, unnoticed work. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us support them through prayer, encouragement, and whatever resources we can offer. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 8 · Hope in darkness
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Ask Jesus to remain close to those whose prayer feels empty or uncertain. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Help us keep a small faithful practice even when consolation is absent. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Day 9 · Love that remains
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Pray that our desire for holiness may become a steady habit of loving well. We place before God the intention we carry through these nine days, remembering also those whose burdens are hidden from us. Teach us to continue the little way through one daily act of generosity. Give us patience when answers come slowly and courage to follow Christ in the ordinary duties of today. May our prayer bear fruit in faithful love. Amen.
Closing prayer
Heavenly Father, receive the prayers we have offered today. Let trust and love in small daily actions take root in our daily choices. Give help to those in distress, wisdom to those who care for them, and hope to those who feel forgotten. We entrust our intention to your loving providence without demanding a particular outcome. Keep us faithful to Jesus and generous toward our neighbour. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.