St.Therese of Lisieux and praying for souls

[Monica444]

Hi, everyone.

I have always been moved by the story and writings of St. Therese of Lisieux and identify with her desire to pray for souls, something I have always done since I was a child.

In particular, St. Therese prayed for Pranzini and was quite certain that he would be given mercy / salvation based on her receiving the sign she requested of his repentance.

I wish I could similarly have assurance about the souls I pray for (or even my own for that matter! - but in that case I can do my best to stay in a state of friendship with God whereas others I can’t do anything for other than pray). But we can never be sure. I try not to worry about it because all I can do is pray and that is my role, but if I DO think about it I end up being afraid for them, especially those who are living in very open rejection of God. Obviously, for those who I will likely see die in my lifetime I feel this more: I have more fear for the 64 yr old man than the 8 yr old girl.

Interestingly, I often have comforting dreams about the people or families I pray for. Some seem to be clearly spiritual / supernatural, but I have no way of knowing for sure that they are from God comforting me about that person’s soul.

I guess my question is, since it’s presumptuous to claim that any soul will be given mercy and salvation, what do you make of St. Therese’s confidence that her prayers would be answered in the affirmative?

Thanks for your insights!

Monica

 

[friardchips]

Hi, everyone.

I have always been moved by the story and writings of St. Therese of Lisieux and identify with her desire to pray for souls, something I have always done since I was a child.

In particular, St. Therese prayed for Pranzini and was quite certain that he would be given mercy / salvation based on her receiving the sign she requested of his repentance.

I wish I could similarly have assurance about the souls I pray for (or even my own for that matter! - but in that case I can do my best to stay in a state of friendship with God whereas others I can’t do anything for other than pray). But we can never be sure. I try not to worry about it because all I can do is pray and that is my role, but if I DO think about it I end up being afraid for them, especially those who are living in very open rejection of God. Obviously, for those who I will likely see die in my lifetime I feel this more: I have more fear for the 64 yr old man than the 8 yr old girl.

Interestingly, I often have comforting dreams about the people or families I pray for. Some seem to be clearly spiritual / supernatural, but I have no way of knowing for sure that they are from God comforting me about that person’s soul.

I guess my question is, since it’s presumptuous to claim that any soul will be given mercy and salvation, what do you make of St. Therese’s confidence that her prayers would be answered in the affirmative?

Thanks for your insights!

Monica

Faith, through the gift of extra grace, IMO.

 

[Gertabelle]

Hi, everyone.

I have always been moved by the story and writings of St. Therese of Lisieux and identify with her desire to pray for souls, something I have always done since I was a child.

Ditto. I have also been deeply inspired, through her, by the words of Our Lord on the cross: I thirst. St Therese had such a profound gift for loving, based solidly on her love of Jesus. “There is only one thing to do here below: To love Jesus, to win souls for Him that He may be loved.”

In particular, St. Therese prayed for Pranzini and was quite certain that he would be given mercy / salvation based on her receiving the sign she requested of his repentance.
…
I guess my question is, since it’s presumptuous to claim that any soul will be given mercy and salvation, what do you make of St. Therese’s confidence that her prayers would be answered in the affirmative?

It is never presumptuous to cast our trust onto Jesus, and that is just what St Therese did. She turned to Our Lord the way a small child would, with that faith that says, “My daddy can fix anything!”

While we cannot choose someone else’s actions, attitudes, etc., our prayers and sacrifices can have a profound effect on their souls. Every act of faith, hope, and love; every act of service for love of Christ; every act of obedience; each small prayer or sacrifice can be of benefit to the souls Jesus loves who are so far from Him. And placing all our trust in Him for the salvation of others is of benefit to souls as well.

God bless you!

Gertie

 

[midori]

(Ven.) Fr. Solanus Casey was famous for how he would “thank God ahead of time.”

One of Therese of Lisieux’s many admirable qualities was her childlike trust in God.

They both had a loving, humble trustingness to their faith that so many of us are in need of cultivating in ourselves… they make it look so simple, but it’s very difficult to emulate!

 

[Monica444]

Thanks!

All good answers. I agree faith is a spiritual gift and a special grace some people have to see their prayers answered.

 

[HelenRose]

Is St. Therese of Lisieux a patron saint for those in prison?