Selected Prayers & Quotes
of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux,
and prayers to the saint.

O Jesus, Who in Thy cruel Passion didst become the "Reproach of men and the Man of Sorrows," I worship Thy Divine Face. Once it shone with the beauty and sweetness of the Divinity: now for my sake it is become as the face of a leper. Yet in that disfigured Countenance I recognize Thy infinite Love, and I am consumed with the desire of loving Thee and of making Thee loved by all mankind. The tears that streamed in such abundance from Thy Eyes are to me as precious pearls which I delight to gather, that with their infinite worth I may ransom the souls of poor sinners.

O Jesus, Whose Face is the sole beauty that ravishes my heart, I may not behold here upon earth the sweetness of Thy Glance, nor feel the ineffable tenderness of Thy Kiss. I bow to Thy Will - but I pray Thee to imprint in me Thy Divine Likeness, and I implore Thee so to inflame me with Thy Love, that it may quickly consume me and I may soon reach the Vision of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen.

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.

Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk.

How can I fear a God who is nothing but mercy and love.

I open the Scriptures...then all appears clear, full of light.... holiness appears easy.

Confidence, nothing but confidence leads to the love of God.

After my death I will not look down....I will come down.

I think of the good I want to do after my death - have little children Baptised, help Priests, Missionaries, the whole Church.

How unhappy I shall be in Heaven if I cannot do little favours on earth for those whom I love.

I desire to be a Missionary not only for a few years but until the end of time.

Our Lady is more Mother than a Queen.

In my Little Way there are only very ordinary things.

My Way is the way of trust and love.

My way is sure.

A novice was grieving about her numerous distractions during prayer: "I too, have many," replied St. Therese of the Child Jesus, "but I accept all for love of the good God, even the most extravagent thoughts that come into my head."

Jesus needs neither books nor Doctors of Divinity in order to instruct souls; He, the Doctor of Doctors, He teaches without noise of words.

I have never wished for human glory, contempt it was that had attraction for my heart; but having recognized that this again was too glorious for me, I ardently desire to be forgotten.