Receiving Roses from Saint Thérèse

Merridith Frediani reflects on receiving roses from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and God’s creative generosity. 

When I was in third or fourth grade, my school library had a book about the Little Flower that I checked out and read several times. I learned about Saint Thérèse from that book and was fascinated that such a young girl could have such strong faith. I vividly remember that book and even the shelf it lived on in the library.  

As I grew in faith, I began to hear people talking about Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. While eating lunch with friends, one of them told a story of receiving roses from Saint Thérèse. I’m not sure why the pieces came together but I realized that day that the Saint Thérèse of Lisieux who sends roses is the same as the Little Flower I'd read about as a child.  

According to the Society of the Little Flower, Saint Thérèse loved roses. When she was dying, she could see blooming rose bushes outside her window, and she promised that she would “let fall a shower of roses.”   

Roses are Thérèse’s signature. It is her way of whispering to those who need a sign that she has heard, and God is responding. (Little Flower.org) 

Since her death, the roses have rained down. Thousands of people have shared stories of receiving roses or smelling roses after asking for her intercession. The National Catholic Register shares these stories.  

After I read her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, and learned about her “little way” and the importance of loving Jesus, I was still intrigued by this idea of getting a rose from her. She had continued to make herself known to me, so I thought I’d ask for a rose. I didn’t mean for it to be a test, but rather a request. It excited me to think about how close the saints are to us and how they are our cheerleaders in heaven, helping us to get there ourselves one day. So I asked ... and hoped.  

A week later, I came home to discover that my son had left a rose on the windowsill for me. The Knights of Columbus were selling them for Mother’s Day, and he got one after Mass. This is the kid who usually gives people a note telling them that the birthday/Christmas/Mother’s Day present will arrive in the mail several days hence. To me, this was clearly Saint Thérèse. I was tickled.  

A monk’s story 

On October 1, we celebrated Saint Thérèse’s feast day, and I started thinking about roses again. A few days earlier I had listened to Chris Stefanick interview Father Augustine Wetta on his podcast. Father Augustine has a close relationship with Saint Thérèse and shared some stories. Prior to becoming a Benedictine monk, Father Augustine worked as a monastery janitor. A piece of art depicting Saint Thérèse caught his eye. He was still unsure whether God existed, and he’d heard the roses legend. He asked for a rose right then as proof of God’s existence.  

When he walked into the next room to clean it, a room that was locked and hadn’t been used in two months, there was a fresh red rose waiting for him. This was the beginning of many such miracles. He said that every time he has asked for a rose, one has appeared. Once he opened a book and rose petals fell out. Once a rose washed up on a beach.  

A second rose  

I was excited to hear of this very tangible encounter with a saint. At Mass on October 1, I asked for a rose. Again, I didn’t intend for it to be a test or even a sign. I just thought it would be fun to wait for the rose to appear. I knew it would. Later that day, I looked across a street to see a sign advertising roses. Hmm, I thought. Interesting. But it was several days later, at a dinner for our local seminary when I saw what Thérèse had in store. I sat down at our table and the centerpiece was roses — beautiful roses of many colors. As the person who organized the table, I was allowed to bring the centerpiece home where it sits on my kitchen table, reminding me of Saint Thérèse and God’s goodness.  

The Society of the Little Flower points out that just because someone doesn’t receive a rose doesn’t mean his or her prayer hasn’t been heard. It can also be an affirmation of strong faith to not receive the rose. 

I love that our God is so generous and creative. He doesn’t have to allow Saint Thérèse to respond to our prayers in this special way. But he does. He loves us so much that He touches us through her in a real way. He is so good.  

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Copyright 2024 Merridith Frediani
Images: Canva