October 24, 2023

In Lisieux For Therese’s Feast Day

  • Outside the Basilica of St. Therese

By Sister Marie Therese

At the end of September four other sisters and I headed to France for a pilgrimage. We spent six beautiful days in Lourdes which was followed by visits to Paris, Lisieux, Ars, and Nevers. The entire experience was amazing. In fact, when reflecting on the pilgrimage, it is hard to pin-point one instance or aspect that was the “best part.” A definite highlight, however, was our visit to Lisieux.

On the Feast of St. Thérèse, October 1st , we were able to attend Mass at the Basilica of St. Thérèse and visit the Carmel where she was a nun. I wish that I had the memory and the space to write about every aspect of our visit, but I must be content with a few glimpses. I hope these glimpses will convey something of how grace-filled the experience was.

  • The Mosaics of the Basilica are carefully crafted to represent Therese’s spirituality
  • Praying with Therese’s relic
  • Therese’s relics were carried to the altar in the entrance procession of the Mass
  • After Mass, pilgrims could bring roses to place upon Therese’s relics
  • The relics of Therese’s parents, Louis and Zelie, are in the crypt underneath the Basilica

The first impression of the Basilica was the size. It is definitely impressive and can accommodate 4,000 people. Another noticeable characteristic is a large mosaic depicting Jesus with Mary and St. Thérèse on either side. Mary and Thérèse are holding Jesus’ mantle open and ushering sheep under its folds. These two aspects, the size and the mosaic, speak volumes of St. Thérèse’s mission of “spending heaven doing good upon earth.’’ The size demonstrates that Thérèse’s mission is for the multitudes. Anyone who comes to her will find help. Also, as shown in the mosaic, she unites herself to the Blessed Mother so as to bring souls to Jesus. As souls grow in devotion to St. Thérèse, she, paradoxically, often slips more into the background. This is what is illustrated in the Basilica: she brings us under the mantle of Jesus where we don’t look at St. Thérèse, but we look at Jesus. She simply holds us there with her prayers and the miracles of grace for which she intercedes. Praying in front of her relics and being there with my dear friend (and yes, her presence was real and palpable) brought this realization to a deeper understanding. At the end of Mass, as another reminder of Thérèse’s mission and her promise of “showering down roses,” rose petals were scattered from the dome above us.

St. Thérèse is still fulfilling her mission and keeping her promises. Ultimately, this is simply a reminder that Our Lord’s mission is also being fulfilled in us and that He is faithful to His promises. He is the giver of all good gifts and I am so grateful for the abundance of graces He gave during the pilgrimage.

  • The Carmel of Lisieux has a lovely museum, displaying many items used by Therese
  • Therese’s profession cross, crown of roses, and samples of her writings
  • Some art supplies used by Therese
  • A portrait hung at Therese’s actual height – just like Sister Marie Therese!
  • The outside of the Carmel chapel
  • The wax figure of Therese in the Carmel, where her reliquary is housed when not traveling (with the original statue of Our Lady of the Smile, in the alcove above)
  • The plaque indicating the burial place of Therese’s three sisters who also died in this Carmel

Below are some pictures from our time in Lourdes:

  • The Sisters on pilgrimage, with our chaplain, Fr. James, and our dear friend Frankie who guided us through France
  • The entire pilgrimage group together
  • Mass at the Grotto, with the Irish pilgrims
  • A hiking trip along the route Bernadette would have travelled as shepherdess in Bartres
  • The evening candlelight processions are a core piece of a Lourdes pilgrimage!

And a few from our travels to Ars (where John Vianney served as priest) and Nevers (where St. Bernadette lived as a Religious Sister)

  • Praying before St. John Vianney’s incorrupt heart in Ars
  • The Cure’s love for the saints is very evident by his collection of prints covering his walls!
  • The chapel in Ars, left very much as it was in the Cure’s day
  • Studying John Vianney’s vestments
  • John Vianney’s confessional in the sacristy
  • This statue marks ‘The Place of Encounter’, where John Vianney stopped some boys to ask for directions when first arriving in Ars
  • The convent where St. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers
  • Praying with St. Bernadette
  • Walking the beautiful grounds of the convent, where she too would have walked
  • The statue Bernadette loved best