On October 15, 2023, Pope Francis issued "C'est la confiance," his Apostolic Exhortation for the Jubilee Year of St. Therese of Lisieux.  He remarks:

Saint Therese is one of the best known and most beloved saints in our world. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, she is loved by non-Christians and nonbelievers as well. In addition, she has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the most significant figures for contemporary humanity. [3] We would do well to delve more deeply into her message as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of her birth in Alençon (2 January 1873) and the centenary of her beatification. [4] Yet I have not chosen to issue this Exhortation on either of those dates, or on her liturgical Memorial, so that this message may transcend those celebrations and be taken up as part of the spiritual treasury of the Church. Its publication on the liturgical Memorial of Saint Teresa of Avila is a way of presenting Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face as the mature fruit of the reform of the Carmel and of the spirituality of the great Spanish saint.

Read the whole text at https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20231015-santateresa-delbambinogesu.html

On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., I will have the honor of speaking on Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, St. Therese's parents, and on the Martin family for the Center for Carmelite Studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. This is part of a series of events the Center is sponsoring in honor of the 150th jubilee of St. Therese's birth and her recognition by UNESCO. Everyone is welcome.

I will have the honor of speaking on "A Map of the Way of Confidence and Love of St. Therese of Lisieux" in the chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and the Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel at 18th Street and the Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday, October 1 at 5:30 p.m.  Questions and answers will follow.  Everyone is welcome to come, and, if you wish, to remain for the Sunday evening Mass in the Basilica at 6:30 p.m.  Please pray that the event draws souls to God.  Thank you.

See the event on the Basilica's Web site at https://cathedralphila.org/memorial-of-saint-therese/

 St. Zelie Martin, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Louis Martin. Courtesy of the National ShrineThe Society of the Little Flower is sponsoring a special visit of the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux and of her parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, from September 17 through October 1, 2023 at the National Shrine of Saint Therese in Darien, Illinois.  The reliquaries will remain at the National Shrine during this whole time.  The public may venerate them every day from 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m.  For details about the schedule and access to the Masses and conferences, which will be recorded and posted soon after they happen, please visit the Society of the Little Flower's Web site.

From Darien, the relics will travel to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, where they will be on pilgrimage from October 4 through October 15, 2023.  For their itinerary, please see this page on the Web site of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

Let's pray that this visit of the relics of this holy family to the United States may unleash a flood of graces.

The Relics of Three Remarkable Saints
Coming to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis

St. Zelie Martin; St. Therese of Lisieux; St. Louis Martin

St. Therese Parish in Deephaven announces that
the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin,
are coming to the Twin Cities from October 4 through October 15, 2023

Below are the locations and dates open to the public. For details and events, please visit the following websites 

October 4 - 5: St. Mary’s in Stillwater – www.stmichaelandstmarystillwater.org

October 6 - 7: Cathedral of St. Paul – www.cathedralsaintpaul.org

October 7 - 10: Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis – www.mary.org

October 12 - 15: St. Therese Parish in Deephaven – www.st-therese.org

What is a relic?

Relics are classified as first, second, or third-class.  A first-class relic is part of a saint’s body (e.g., bone, blood, flesh).  Second-class relics are possessions that a saint owned, such as clothing or something used by a saint.  Third-class relics are objects that have been touched to a first, second, or another third-class relic of a saint.  We will be receiving first class relics of the visiting Saints.  

Why venerate relics?

From Sacred Scripture to online references, there are many examples of healing after exposure to relics. The healing is from God; relics are the means through which he acts.  Any good that comes about through a relic is God’s doing.  By venerating or honoring the saints through whom God has worked in an extraordinary way, we adore and glorify God, who worked so beautifully in their lives.  Our veneration of relics also reminds us that we are part of the Communion of Saints, the great “cloud of witnesses” who have run the race before us (Heb. 12:1).  

Why venerate St. Thérèse and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin?

Pope Pius X referred to St. Thérèse as “the greatest saint of modern times.”  Her autobiography, Story of a Soul, and her “little way” of trust and love has inspired millions.  In 1997, Pope St. John Paul II declared St. Thérèse a Doctor of the Church. On October 18, 2015, Louis and Zélie were canonized by Pope Francis I.  They are the first spouses who were not martyrs who were canonized together as a couple in the history of the Church!

Details about St. Thérèse and her parents

There will be more information on these wonderful saints at each location.

If you have questions or want more information, reach out to Laura Hunziker at lhunziker@st-therese.org