SAMPLE PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant's Introduction:

Inspired by St. Thérèse's childlike confidence, let us offer our prayers to God our loving Father:
1. "I want to be a daughter of the Church and pray for the Holy Father's intentions, which I know embrace the whole universe."
For our Holy Father Pope John Paul, our local bishop N., and all the leaders of our Church, that we may be one in God's love, we pray to the Lord:
2. "My vocation, at last I have found it! In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love."
That through the intercession of St. Therese we may all have a deep love for the Church, we pray to the Lord:
3. "I would like to preach the Gospel on all five continents and be a missionary until the consummation of the ages."
That during her pilgrimage around the world, St. Therese may lead our country and all nations closer to God in the new millennium, we pray to the Lord:
4. "I have never sought anything but the Truth."
For all those responsible for our political and social welfare, that they may work for true human values and the benefit of all, we pray to the Lord:
5. "God gave me parents more worthy of heaven than earth."
For all our families, that we may seek to build up the world through Love, we pray to the Lord:
6. "When I consider Jesus, how small my heart seems! I would like to love Him so much! I would like to love Him more than He has ever been loved!"
May St. Thérèse inspire countless souls to come to know and love God, and may we draw closer to Him through the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation, we pray to the Lord:
7. "What pleases God is to see me loving my littleness and my poverty, and the blind hope that I have in His mercy."
For a great confidence in God's goodness so that our weakness may be transformed into the strength to love and act as He wills, we pray to the Lord:
8. "I came to Carmel to save souls, and especially to pray for priests."
That all those searching for meaning in life may find it in prayer and sacrifice for others, we pray to the Lord:
9. "The chalice of suffering is full to the brim, but I do not regret having surrendered myself to Love."
That all the suffering may learn from St. Thérèse not to count on themselves, but to have complete confidence in Jesus, we pray to the Lord:
10. "I see that God alone is unchangeable, and He alone can fulfill my immense desires."
That during the visit of St. Thérèse's relics to our country, many young people may be inspired to give their lives to God and his Church in a total gift of love, we pray to the Lord:

Celebrant's Conclusion:
God of infinite, merciful love, grant all these petitions which we offer in the presence of St. Thérèse. Inspired by her love, may we too love you and make you greatly loved. We make these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.