The December 2012 issue of "Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway" contains stories about the opening in Spain of the diocesan inquiry into a healing attributed to the intercession of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, about Therese's Christmas in Carmel (with details about the little sayings, "ways to the creche" that the nuns drew in Advent), and about the third visit of the relics of St. Therese to the Philippines (December 15, 2012 - April 15, 2013).   Even if you have not subscribed to my newsletter, you may now read the last issue online.  Read the complete back issues here.

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On january 10, 1889, Therese Martin, a 16-year-old postulant in the Carmelite monastery at Lisieux, received the Carmelite habit.  Thanks to the archives of the Carmel of Lisieux, you can understand her dispositions at that time by reading online the letters she wrote in the days before her Clothing. On this occasion Therese left the enclosure and assisted at the first part of the ceremony in the public chapel together with her family.  View a photo of the Carmelite chapel dating from Therese's time.  Read Therese's description of this day in her memoir, Story of a Soul. These resources are made available thanks to the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux, the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, and the Internet Archive.

 In his message for the World Day of the Sick 2013, Pope Benedict mentioned Saint Therese of Lisieux as among the saints who "helped the sick to appreciate the human and spiritual value of their suffering."  An excerpt is below:

"The Year of Faith which we are celebrating is a fitting occasion for intensifying the service of charity in our ecclesial communities, so that each one of us can be a good Samaritan for others, for those close to us. Here I would like to recall the innumerable figures in the history of the Church who helped the sick to appreciate the human and spiritual value of their suffering, so that they might serve as an example and an encouragement. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, "an expert in the scientia amoris" (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 42), was able to experience "in deep union with the Passion of Jesus" the illness that brought her "to death through great suffering" (Address at General Audience, 6 April 2011).
Read the full text of the Pope's message.  The World Day of the Sick is observed on February 11th, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.  The Pope released his message on January 8th.

 View this film, just under two minutes, which shows Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli, later Pope Pius XII, consecrating the Basilica of St. Therese at Lisieux in 1937 before an immense crowd. 

Every year the Shrine at Lisieux sponsors an exhibit of Nativity sets from all around the world.  This year, thanks to GloriaTV, you may view a film of the Nativity sets which lets you see many in detail.  The exhibit, open till February 2, 2013, shows more than two hundred Nativity sets.