Canticle to the Holy Face
A Devotional Vocal Prayer by
St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (St. Therese of Lisieux)
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Jesus, Your ineffable image
Is the star which guides my steps.
Ah, You know, Your sweet Face
Is for me Heaven on earth.
My love discovers the charms
Of Your Face adorned with tears.
I smile through my own tears
When I contemplate Your sorrows.
Oh! To console You I want
To live unknown on earth!
Your beauty, which You know how to veil,
Discloses for me all its mystery.
I would like to fly away to You!
Your Face is my only homeland.
It’s my Kingdom of love.
It’s my cheerful meadow.
Each day, my sweet sun.
It’s the Lily of the Valley
Whose mysterious perfume
Consoles my exiled soul,
Making it taste the peace of Heaven.
It’s my Rest, my Sweetness
And my melodious Lyre
Your Face, O my Sweet Savior,
Is the Divine Bouquet of Myrrh
I want to keep on my heart!
Your Face is my only wealth.
I ask for nothing more.
Hiding myself in it unceasingly,
I will resemble You, Jesus
Leave in me, the Divine Impress
Of Your features filled with sweetness,
And soon I’ll become holy.
I shall draw hearts to You.
So that I may gather
A beautiful golden harvest,
Deign to set me aflame with Your Fire.
With Your adorned mouth,
Give me soon the Eternal Kiss!
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St. Therese of Lisieux
.... Oh Jesus, whose adorable Face ravished my heart. I implore Thee to fix deep within me Thy Divine image and to set me on fire with Thy love, that I may be found worthy to come to the contemplation of Thy glorious Face in Heaven.
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St. Therese of Lisieux
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?
Psalms 42:2
Adorable Face of Jesus, which was so mercifully bowed down on the Cross on the day of Thy Passion for the salvation of the world, once more today,
in pity, bend down towards us poor sinners.
Cast upon us a glance of compassion and give us Thy Peace.