St. Thérèse of Lisieux may have lived only 24 years,
but her approach to the Rosary offers us one of the most refreshing and
accessible ways to connect with Our Lady. Born into a devoutly Catholic family
in 1873, Thérèse discovered early on that Mary wasn't just a figure to be
admired from afar, but a loving mother eager to be part of her daily life. When
her own mother died when she was just four, young Thérèse naturally turned to
the Blessed Mother, and this relationship would shape everything about her spiritual
journey.
The turning point came when ten-year-old Thérèse was gravely ill and looked up
at a statue of Our Lady in desperation. She later described seeing Mary smile
at her with such maternal tenderness that she was instantly healed. This wasn't
just a miracle for Thérèse; it was a personal encounter that convinced her Mary
truly cared about her individual struggles and joys. From that moment forward,
the Rosary became her constant companion, not as a religious duty but as
precious time spent with someone who genuinely understood her heart.
What made Thérèse's devotion so special was its beautiful simplicity. She
approached the Rosary without pressure or anxiety about being the
"perfect" prayer. When her mind wandered during the Hail Mary’s, she
didn't panic or feel guilty; she simply offered her distractions to Mary with
childlike trust. She understood that Mary, having lived through the ordinary
struggles of daily life in Nazareth, could relate to every human limitation and
loved her just as she was, scattered thoughts and all.
During her final battle with tuberculosis, Thérèse's relationship with Mary
deepened even further. She would clutch her rosary beads and speak to Our Lady
as naturally as she would talk to her own sisters, asking for strength not
necessarily to be healed, but to surrender gracefully to God's will. She had
learned that Mary's role wasn't to make life easy, but to help her find meaning
and grace in whatever circumstances came her way, a lesson that gave her
remarkable peace in the face of suffering.
Today, St. Thérèse's example invites us to rediscover the Rosary through fresh
eyes. We don't need to be spiritual giants or have perfect concentration to
approach Mary through this beautiful prayer. Like the Little Flower, we can
come to Our Lady exactly as we are; busy, worried, distracted, or struggling,
and trust that she receives our simple offering of love with the same maternal
tenderness she showed to Thérèse. The saint's "Little Way" reminds us
that sometimes the most profound spiritual growth happens not through
extraordinary mystical experiences, but through the faithful, humble repetition
of familiar prayers offered with genuine love.
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
