Novena to St. Teresa of Jesus- October 6

October 6th  is the beginning of our novena to Saint Teresa of Jesus (Avila).   Novena is a nine day act of prayers for the purpose of either petition or thanksgiving.   It recalls the nine days that the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin gathered in the Upper room in prayer from the time Jesus ascended to heaven until the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
For Carmelites and the devotees of St. Teresa, we thank God for the gift of this special Saint who gave herself for the life of the Church. Her famous last words: "I am a daughter of the Church" certainly spoke for her great love. We also invoke her, as part of the Church Triumphant, to continue to intercede for us who are still on this earth.  Below are the prayers we recite for our special intentions:

FIRST DAY:
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
"O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for the great gift of faith and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which You did grant to Your beloved Teresa. We pray, by Your merits and by those of Your faithful Spouse, to grant us the gift of a fervent devotion toward the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar, where You O Infinite Majesty has obliged Yourself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein You did so lovingly give Your whole self to us."
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be..)

O Jesus, who Teresa's beauteous soul
With thy love-dart didst fire,
Deep in my heart of hearts
Her own sweet longing love of thee inspire.
St. Teresa, pray for us.
That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray:
Graciously hear us, O God, our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa (our Mother) , so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervor of a tender devotion , through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.