St. Therese Sacrifice Beads
(St. Therese of Lisieux, or The Little Flower)
The medals used here can be found in the Saint Medals section of the site, and the Crucifixes are also available here.
These beads can be made in any colour or style, the only caution is that your bead holes are large enough to accomodate the string you choose to pass through comfortably twice, and can stand up to the strain of much pulling :~)
Since St. Therese's mother died when she was young, her older sister Pauline taught her the Catechism. Pauline wanted Therese to see that even as a child she could become holy by doing "little things" for God. She made a little string of beads, and each time she did something out of love for God, whether great or small, easy or difficult, she "pulled" one bead toward the end of the string. At the end of the day, when she said her night prayers, she took out her beads and reviewed the day, and offered to Jesus her gifts of love.
Sacrifices can be anything; sharing your food, time or labour with others. A kind word or gesture of encouragement, withholding words that are inappropriate or hurtful. Aches and pains, joys and pleasures of daily life. Any of the countless small or large things that face us each day can be offered. Easy or hard, quick or time consuming, all are welcomed by God as gifts for love of Him.
At the end of the day, review your beads and offer them to God. You will be surprised to see how much you have given and how much you are able to do. Holiness CAN be learned, one bead at a time!