# A Novena to St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus for the Pro‑Life Walk
*2017-10-01*

> Bill Young shares a miraculous rose story from a past Walk for Life, then leads a heartfelt novena to St. Thérèse asking for healing, protection, and the defense of unborn children.

## A Rose Miracle on a Previous Walk

Last year, during our annual Walk for Life on October 1st, a parishioner from St. Maximilian handed out a single rose to each participant in honor of St. Thérèse, the Little Flower. While we prayed the rosary and held up our signs, a young youth minister was struck by an egg that had been thrown at her. The egg hit the rose she was holding, and the petals and leaves scattered like a burst of flowers. Remarkably, the stem remained intact—no break, no crack—despite the impact. Later, when I handled a fresh rose from the same batch, the petals did not fall off on their own, which I took as a sign of St. Thérèse’s protection. I keep a medal of the Little Flower on my keychain as a reminder that she watches over us.

## The Novena Prayer

Dear Little Teresa of the Child Jesus, great saint of pure love for God, I come before you to ask for your powerful intercession. Please pray for my friend Annette, who is suffering from stage‑four cancer, that the disease may be healed and that she may enjoy a good, peaceful life. You asked God to spend your heaven doing good on earth, and you promised a shower of roses for the little ones. The Lord heard your prayer, and countless pilgrims testify to the power of your intercession in France and around the world. With confidence, I implore your help for me and for all who suffer. May the Lord grant the grace I seek, if it be His will. Blessed be you, Little Teresa, for all the good you have done and will continue to do until the end of time. Amen.

## A Call to Protect the Unborn

I pray that all Catholics and Christians will speak out today for the unborn. May every child be given the chance to complete the full cycle of life, becoming productive men and women. We never know whose life might bring a cure for a terrible disease like cancer.

*St. Thérèse’s intercession reminds us that even the smallest signs of love can protect and inspire us to defend the most vulnerable.*