Just my Favorite Novena ever!

So it turned out I couldn't resist moving past the brain comic . . . especially because here is little Therese, looking beautiful, staring off to one side, with a misleading expression that seems to say she has no big plans . . .

Nothing could be further from the truth! Her feast is coming up in a little more than a week . . . which means it's novena time! As this happens to be my favorite novena ever - that is, favorite novena prayer (which I will post here today for your ease of use) and favorite nine days of anticipation, I couldn't resist featuring Marcel's big sister (and ours) right here, front and center.

You see, our sister Therese loves LOVES loves to shower roses down upon us - upon those who ask and await them, and those who are unsuspecting (innocent bystanders minding their own business but we're praying for them!). And oh how I love roses! Heavenly ones, earthly ones, pictures of them, memories of them, and so on and so forth, as one of my best-roses-from-Therese-ever used to say in his Italian accent! (That was Fr. Nicholas Maestrini, P.I.M.E. whom St. Therese sent me when I asked her for a rose from him on March 3, 2001. She's such a goof. She just kind of gave me him, as well as a letter from him. What love!)

Anyhow, we're at St. Padre Pio's day (or will be tomorrow, which may be when you see this!) and in his octave is Therese's novena and then her feast, on October 1st. So be assured that you are well prayed for by both of them, and by me. (I'm going to do the novena, and your intentions are covered! Join in if it's fun - no pressure, just roses no matter what you pray or don't pray these next 9 or 10 days!)

Here is the prayer I'll be saying which has all the elements I love (roses, heaven, now, confidence, God's great love for us, etc!) . . . 

O Little Therese of the Child Jesus
Please pick for me a rose from the heavenly garden
and send it to me as a message of love.

O Little Flower of Jesus,
please ask God to grant the favors
I now place with confidence in your hands . . . 

St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did,
in God’s great love for me,
so that I may imitate your “Little Way” each day.
Amen.

and then, too, our dear tiny prayer (which would make a great novena all on its lonesome - which is not very lonesome since it draws the whole world with us to Jesus!) -

Draw me, we will run!

Get ready for roses!!!!!