Touched by Grace: St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Does St. Thérèse really sent roses to signify graces from heaven? Anna Maria De Guid shares stories of heavenly roses she has received.

St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus was born Marie Francoise-Thérèse Martin on January 2, 1873. She is also known as “The Little Flower of Jesus.” On her deathbed, she promised that she would “let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.”

I remember praying to St. Thérèse early in life because I wanted to see if she really sent roses. And she did! If the request was going to be granted, if guidance to decision-making was going to be shown, or if a question was to be answered in the affirmative, she would let me know.

(I have to admit, though, that in my young adulthood, there were many times I sought her advice, yet I was not ready to follow through. It took me many years to grow into spiritual maturity that would lead me to have complete trust and faith in Divine assistance.)

There have been numerous roses sent my way, especially during my early years. After I got married and started a family, my devotion to St. Thérèse tapered to nullity.

Decades passed. Only the past couple of months when numerous matters that needed a lot of guidance for decision-making did I remember St. Thérèse and start seeking her help.

Recently, there was a huge project at church that Paul and I wanted to embark on, but I was not sure if it was something that Jesus would want us to get involved in.

“St. Thérèse, please let me know if this project is something that will make Jesus happy,” I prayed. The following day, I received a dozen roses from an acquaintance who thought I would enjoy some flowers.

“St. Thérèse, do you think I should submit my first book’s manuscript to Christian Faith Publishing?" At our Legion of Mary meeting the following day, for the first time, someone put fresh roses on the vase. No one seemed to be interested clearing the vase, so I took the roses out and threw them in the trash after the meeting! Yes, I did. Looking back, I was aghast at what I did, forgetting all about my novena to St. Thérèse.

Having written several more stories, I asked St. Thérèse, “Please send me roses if Jesus will be happy with a second book of God’s graces.” As I arrived home the following afternoon, a bouquet of lavender roses were waiting for me on the front door! And that was how my second book came to being.

The most recent wonderful grace she bestowed was when our family was given the opportunity to go to France for our 25th wedding anniversary. A week before our trip, an aunt called to ask me if we were going to see the Basilica of St. Thérèse in Lisieux.

“No, I believe that city is way farther inside France, and our itinerary is along the coast,” I answered.

Three days before our trip, a cousin asked me the same question, and I answered the same.

Then I received two St. Thérèse cards later that week. I started to wonder, “Is St. Thérèse telling me something?”

The evening before the trip, I looked at the map and was astounded to learn that her Basilica is just an hour ride from another city that we were visiting!

So our family took a taxi to take us to St. Thérèse Basilica in Lisieux, and as we alighted from the car, a light shower greeted us. It took all of 30 seconds for the shower to drizzle our jackets.

Then an amazing feeling of visiting an old friend’s house overwhelmed me. I knew right there that St. Thérèse welcomed us to her home.