St. Therese of Lisieux
  • henry
    Posts: 241
    Have a school Mass on the feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. Anyone know a hymn about her that might work with grade school children? Thanks.
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    Well, I've found some on the Internet, but they don't seem to say who they're by, or what tune they're sung to. Most are kinda sugary... but there's not likely to be a lot of angsty horrifying hymns about her suffering from TB, and do you want that anyway?

    Here's one:

    Saint Therese, as you smile down from heaven
    Little patron, we look up to you;
    Pray that some day we too may reach heaven
    When at last this life’s journey is through.

    Shower down many roses upon us
    Help us follow your Little Way too
    Saint Therese, Little Flower of heaven,
    We bring our devotion to you.
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    This one's supposed to be by the Ursulines. I'm not real thrilled about the chorus, but the verses make a good point and the chorus isn't that bad. And you don't actually have to sing the chorus, if you don't want.

    The tune is here also:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qWXHZcXwM

    Little Flower of Carmel, Saint of our own day,
    Lovingly we come to you to learn your Little Way.

    CH:
    Dear St. Theresa, do not turn away,
    drop down just one little rose, the rose we need today.

    You refused God nothing, loved to do His will,
    now he grants your every prayer and he will grant it still.
    CH:
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    There's a St. Therese karaoke song???? The mind boggles... but it's a song about praying for help on one's wedding day, so some of you might get requests.... it's called "St Theresa of the Roses", and it's not a bad song as a not-at-Mass-or-prayer-service song. Must be some old pop song from Ireland or England.

    Some guy named Mike Stanley wrote a hymn called "My Song for Today" (taken from the saint's poem of the same title) for the 2009 visit of St. Therese's relics to England. It's not too bad.
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    Here's some kind of official Evening Prayer one:

    From clear high mansions of that shining palace
    Where you enjoy the light of God's dear presence,
    And plead our causes, mindful of your promise
    Shower down your roses.

    Roses of faith to shed its light supernal,
    Roses of hope when obstacles surround us,
    And for our strengthening in daily living
    Roses of pure love.

    Through your own childlike confidence and candor
    Send us the rose of quietly discerning
    Love of a Father, shining in each happening
    Both sweet and bitter.

    This be our portion, God forever blessed,
    Father eternal, Son and Holy Spirit,
    Whose is the glory which through all creation
    Resounds forever.
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    I found some more candidates. I like the second verse of this one:

    To the tune of "Ode to Joy":

    St. Therese, the Little Flower
    Chosen by the Lord above,
    Light the spark of love within us,
    Chosen flower, rose of love.
    As we make our prayers and petitions,
    Bring them to God's holy throne;
    Let your perfume go before them,
    Making our requests your own.

    Sweet apostle of God's mercy,
    In whose love you came to share,
    You surrendered self completely
    In your tasks and in your prayer.
    Lead us to that lowly valley
    Where the humble find their God;
    Light our pathway, cheer our spirits,
    Walking where the Master trod.

    Confidence, abandonment,
    Simplicity in us instill
    That like you we may completely
    Follow God's most tender will.
    In the hours of great darkness,
    Light the lamp of faith we need,
    Trusting your eternal promise
    That for us you'll intercede.
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    To the tune of "The Church's One Foundation":

    Therese, the flame of love bright
    Abided in your heart.
    You listened still like Mary
    And chose the better part.
    You made yourself a dwelling
    For Him who reigns above.
    O sing for us your story,
    Your canticle of love.

    To live of love's your story,
    A hidden life unknown,
    Just like the tender Master
    Who had no earthly home.
    But love, your sole desire,
    Transformed all time and space;
    In every place and moment,
    You found God's loving grace.

    Your melody of love sung
    Will find a welcome here;
    Its descant's high resounding
    Will cast out all our fear.
    The God of love and mercy,
    With whom you took delight,
    Will be for us a shelter
    By day and in our night. Amen.

    I'm not sure why the last couple songs are so into "tender", but there you go.

    Btw, though Kathy's T for Teresa song is for St. Teresa of Avila, it could apply to Therese also!
  • henry
    Posts: 241
    Thanks, Maureen. I'm ashamed because you did the Internet work that I should have done! Anyway, I chose the text that fits "Hymn to Joy". Thanks again.
    Henry
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    Don't be ashamed. I love playing "search engine fu".

    What would really be nice is if we had a better index for things like saint songs. All the fiesta/processional songs for saints and sodalities that little parishes around the world have... it's amazing as Catholic pop culture, and often even rises to pretty good poetry.

    (And meanwhile, us Americans usually got nothin'. No procession for our patron, no song, no fraternity or sodality, no fun, no nothin'. Bah.)
  • AngelaRAngelaR
    Posts: 309
    Whoo hoo, you guys are awesome. I just signed in to ask about a hymn for Saint Therese for my own school Mass, and you guys have beat me to the punch. Thanks!
  • eft94530eft94530
    Posts: 1,577
    The Summit Choirbook

    # 364 [four verses, here is first ...]

    More love to Thee, O Christ!
    More love to Thee!
    Hear Thou the prayer I make
    On bended knee;
    This is my earnest plea:
    More love, O Christ, to Thee,
    More love to Thee!

    Text: Elizabeth Prentiss
    Tune: WILMINGTON

    # 365 [three verses, here is first ...]

    Lord, it belongs not to my care
    Whether I die or live;
    To love and serve Thee is my share,
    And this Thy grace must give.
    If life be long, I wll be glad,
    That I may long obey;
    If short, yet why should I be sad
    To welcome endless day?

    Text: Richard Baxter
    Tune: LORD FOR THY TENDER MERCY'S SAKE

    # 366 [three verses, here is first ...]

    How well I know that all our honesties
    Are worthless in Your eyes, are empty signs.
    To make my sacrifices verities
    I cast them, Lord, within Your Heart's confines.

    Text: St Therese of Lisieux
    Tune: PEERSON
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,605
    From Clear High Mansions Above is now set to an original chant tune at:

    CMAA Compositions/Arrangements

    I was unable to find an author....
  • Maureen
    Posts: 675
    Thank you, Chrism! That is great stuff!

    Is anybody saving this list and putting it on the resources part of the website? I hope so.
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