At the Feet of Thérèse

Pope Francis, in his own words, at the feet of Saint Thérèse

Most Holy Father, I have a great favor to ask you.
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Ms A, 63r)

Like Thérèse kneeling before Pope Leo XIII, Pope Francis turned again and again to her—not to ask favors for himself, but to entrust his mission, his struggles, and the Church to her intercession. These four brief moments reveal a friendship marked by simplicity, trust, and hidden roses.

“I’m a friend of Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Go into my room and you’ll see—you’ll find many reminders of little Thérèse there.”
—Pope Francis, responding to a child’s question in 2016

“There’s a razor, my breviary, my calendar, a book to read… I brought a book about little Thérèse. I’m devoted to her.”
—Pope Francis, during a flight from Rio de Janeiro in 2013

“Thérèse is direct and effective. She uses simple, more-than-ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary things.”
—Pope Francis, encouraging a bishop from Madagascar

“When I have a problem, I don’t ask Saint Thérèse to fix it, but to take it in hand and help me accept it. And as a sign, I almost always receive a white rose.”
—Pope Francis, in an interview with Sergio Rubin and Francesca Ambrogetti

This quiet practice—entrusting his burdens to Thérèse and watching for a rose in return—became a hallmark of his spiritual life. It echoes a beloved tradition known as the Rose Novena.

If you’ve never prayed the Rose Novena, you’re invited to begin today, just as Pope Francis did whenever he faced uncertainty or need.

O Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus,
please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens
and send it to me as a message of love.

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

(mention your intention in silence)

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

Amen.

Note on Sources

This post is adapted from an article by Anne Blanchard, originally published by Ouest-France on 22 April 2025. It has been translated, restructured, and editorialized for devotional and educational purposes under fair use guidelines. All quotations and facts have been faithfully rendered with attribution. Readers are encouraged to consult the original publication for full journalistic context:
Ouest-France article link

Featured image

Artist Natalie Ewert imagines St. Thérèse of Lisieux offering a rose to those who seek her intercession. Image credit: ©Natalie Ewert (Used by permission)