Our Lady of the Smile

Among the other books I'm currently reading is one entitled The Story of a Family: The Home of St. Therese of Lisieux(The Little Flower) by Fr. Stephane-Joseph Piat, OFM. I read these types of books painfully slowly, a few pages at a time, savoring a few moments of quiet contemplation each day. Therese is, of course, a family favorite. My love for her was born years ago in my childhood home, where a relic of St. Therese held favored status among my parents' treasures. As I grew old enough to read and understand her Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, Third Edition, my devotion to St. Therese blossomed and grew. Somehow, though, I don't recall ever having heard about a statue now called Our Lady of the Smile that belonged to Therese's father, Louis Martin, and that presided over her miraculous cure. When I ran across a reference to Our Lady of the Smile in the Piat book today, I took a few moments to google the statue and came up with the following prayer. I thought you might enjoy it as well!

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF THE SMILE

Gentle Mary, My Mother,
I place before you the worries,
hurts and hopes of my heart.
They shrink my soul and I feel heavy and hopeless.
Darkness closes in around me.
I reach out to you, bright Lady of Hope.
Smile on me.
Smile on my loved ones and the intentions I place before you.

(Mention your intentions here...)

Your tender smile works miracles and heals,
as you did with St. Therese, the Little Flower.
You are my true Mother.
You show the tender mercy of God.
Smile on me, Blessed Mother,
and all will be well.

Source: Catholic Doors Ministry