Attend Mass
The feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” is celebrated on October 1st on the new calendar and October 3rd on the Traditional Latin Mass calendar, and is a beautiful occasion to attend Mass and honor her devotion to God through her “little way” of humility and love. If you’d like to attend a Traditional Latin Mass, check out a Mass near you here. Consider offering the Mass for St. Thérèse’s intercession in your own spiritual life, asking for the grace to imitate her childlike trust in God.
Visit a Shrine of St. Thérèse
If there’s a shrine dedicated to St. Thérèse near you, plan a pilgrimage with your family or friends. Many places, including the National Shrine of St. Thérèse in Darien, Illinois, hold special celebrations for her feast day. If you’re unable to visit a physical shrine, you can create a small shrine at home with a statue or image of St. Thérèse, roses, candles, and a space for personal intentions.
Make “Sacrifice Beads”
St. Thérèse used “Sacrifice Beads” as a way to practice small acts of love and sacrifice for Jesus throughout the day. You can make your own sacrifice beads by stringing ten beads on a small cord or string, with each bead representing a good deed or small sacrifice. Every time you make a sacrifice (like holding back from complaining or helping someone in need), you can slide one bead over. This practice helps foster a spirit of selflessness and hidden acts of love, following St. Thérèse’s example.
Make Rose-Themed Crafts or Recipes in Honor of St. Thérèse
Since St. Thérèse is often called the “Little Flower,” roses are closely associated with her. As a family, you can create rose-themed crafts, such as making paper or tissue roses to decorate your prayer space or creating rose-scented candles. If you enjoy cooking, make rose-themed recipes, such as rosewater cupcakes, rose petal jelly, or decorate a cake with icing roses. These activities honor St. Thérèse’s promise of sending down a “shower of roses” from Heaven and help instill her presence in your home celebration.
These fragrant and delicate rosewater cupcakes are a perfect way to honor St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower.”
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rosewater
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
For the Rosewater Buttercream Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon rosewater
- Pink food coloring (optional)
- Edible rose petals or sprinkles for decoration (optional)
Instructions:
For the Cupcakes:
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. - Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. - Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). - Add Eggs and Flavoring:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and rosewater, mixing until combined. - Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed. Pour in the milk and mix until combined. Then, add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. - Bake:
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. - Cool:
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
For the Rosewater Buttercream Frosting:
- Beat Butter:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy (about 2 minutes). - Add Powdered Sugar:
Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until fully incorporated. - Add Flavoring and Adjust Consistency:
Add the vanilla extract, rosewater, and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of cream. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. For a delicate pink hue, add a few drops of pink food coloring and mix well.
Assemble the Cupcakes:
- Frost:
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them using a piping bag or a spatula. You can make simple swirls or pipe decorative rosettes for a beautiful touch. - Decorate:
Garnish the frosted cupcakes with edible rose petals, pink sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Serve:
Enjoy these fragrant rosewater cupcakes with your family or friends in honor of St. Thérèse. Their subtle floral taste and delicate beauty will make them a special treat for the occasion.
Tips:
- Rosewater: Make sure to use food-grade rosewater, as some varieties are intended for cosmetic use only.
- Decorations: Edible rose petals or dried culinary roses can be found in specialty stores or online. They add a lovely, natural element to the cupcakes.
These cupcakes are perfect for celebrating the feast of St. Thérèse, as they symbolize the “shower of roses” she promised to send from Heaven!
Read St. Thérèse’s Autobiography Story of a Soul
Set aside time today to read selections from St. Thérèse’s spiritual autobiography, Story of a Soul. This book is an inspiring account of her deep love for God, her devotion to the “little way,” and her journey toward sainthood through simplicity and trust. For families with children, consider reading age-appropriate adaptations or recounting stories from her life, such as how she offered small sacrifices and acts of kindness, showing that holiness can be achieved through ordinary daily acts.
Pray Novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower
Say once a day for 9 days, especially beginning on 24 September and ending on 2 October, the eve of the Feast of St. Thérèse (note: her Feast is celebrated on 1 October in the Novus Ordo). Many people report unexpectedly finding or being given a literal rose or roses (or smelling the perfume of roses) after praying to St. Thérèse, who said on her deathbed, “After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my Heaven doing good upon earth. I will raise up a mighty host of little saints. My mission is to make God loved…”
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 today to grant the favors I now place with confidence in thy hands.
(Mention your intentions here)
St. Thérèse, help me to always believe as thou didst, in God’s great love for me, so that I might imitate thy “Little Way” each day. Amen.