Don’t forget that she is called “The Little Flower.” Many, many people have received roses from her. I, myself, received one from her, although I wasn’t expecting one. I believe she lets you know that she heard your prayer, and petitioned God for you, by sending a rose when the prayer is answered.
…and if you pray ardently to St. Therese and never receive a literal rose?..is your prayer not then answered until you come across a rose that strikes you as special and from St Therese?..
Don’t make a novena to St. Therese, then take roses that you find that you would probably find anyway as a sign (don’t expect that “sign” in a cemetery or flower shop). Pay more attention to something that happens unexpectedly- in a place where you’re not likely to see flowers, at a time when there’s no special occasion where someone may have flowers displayed, or when you receive them from a person who wouldn’t normally give you flowers.
I can only speak from experience. It was St. Therese, herself, who said she would shower roses down from heaven. The people I have heard of receiving a rose, never looked for one. I can’t explain the hows and whys, only the thrill of realizing that you are receiving a gift from a saint. I also feel that you are made aware that this rose is from St. Therese. When God wants you to be aware of something, He leaves no doubt that He has acted.
Very true in that St. Therese did state from Heaven she would shower roses. I have always taken this to mean as spiritual blessings, not literal roses. Certainly I have received spiritual blessings as a result of prayer to St. Therese.
Obviously to expect a literal rose from Heaven through St. Therese is to ask for a sign. It is better, to my mind, to spread the truth and devotion that God always answers prayer through the intercession of His saints - not always that answer we may be wanting however. But the answer that God gives is for the very best even if I cannot see this.
If I am praying for something specific and suspect I have an answer through some sort of sign - then personally, I would want to check it out with spiritual direction and adivse others to do the same.
If you have truly received a sign from God, for whatever the prayer, you know it’s from God. You have no doubts, and no reason to consult a spiritual director. If you have real doubts about a sign that you feel may or may not be from God, then I feel it is most likely not from God but from wishful thinking. When God gives you His gifts He removes the doubt. There have been a few times in my life that I know with complete certainty that my experience was a direct action by God. There was no question – no room for doubt.
Personally, I would check the sign out with my director always. I certainly have had experience where I have prayed for something and felt I had an answer beyond doubt - no visible sign of that answer however, but I still would discuss it with my director and I think that prudence asks it. Nothing is ever lost through obedience, especially to one’s director and if the director should be wrong since they are not infallible, then he or she cannot stand in the way of what God wants, we can be assured of that.
The priests today are so busy doing the work of two or more priests of old, that I don’t feel that I could ask any to be a spiritual director. Of course, if there is any question I need answered, I do check sources for an answer. God always provides someone when needed.
If you do not need reqular spiritual direction then you may ask for such direction within the confessional.
Yes, thank you. A quick answer can be handled in the confessional. The problem there, though, is that if you need to delve into any discussion with the priest, it takes time away from those waiting to confess. Twice I had to forego my confession, and was left standing in line, because the priest needed to be elsewhere.
Sorry about that but the confession is the reqular place for those who do not need regular spiritual direction to get it.
Thank you for your advice about spiritual directors. Thankfully I have no need of one now. My pastor is very good about discussing whatever bothers us. We just need to make an appointment to see him. I wish you blessings on advancing in your prayer life, and for good health.
Do not be afraid to ask! That’s what they have given their lives for! If the priest is too busy, he’ll let you know and refer you to someone else. But you should never feel that you cannot ask a priest for such important help in your spiritual journey. I’m sure your priest would tell you the same thing.
My little statue of St. Therese shows her holding pink roses, and when she answered a prayer of mine, the rose, a huge one crowning the top of a bush completely devoid of leaves, was purple, the color the other roses had been when the bush had bloomed earlier in the season. I don’t think the color is important, but that you receive roses, as St. Therese had promised. You were blessed to be led by friends back to the Church. God bless.
