The relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of the crucial beloved saints within the Catholic Church, are returning to San Antonio for the primary time in over 20 years.
From Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, the Basilica of the Nationwide Shrine of the Little Flower will open its doorways to venerate the relics of St. Thérèse. The go to will function particular Lots, ceremonies and prayer companies.
The five-day go to begins with a welcome ceremony at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, adopted by Mass with Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller at 6 p.m. and public veneration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The basilica will then stay open for veneration Saturday via Monday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Tuesday from 5 a.m. to eight a.m.
On Tuesday there will likely be a 6 a.m. Mass with mariachi earlier than the relics’ departure at 8 a.m.
This marks the primary time the relics have been in San Antonio since 1999, when an estimated 75,000 folks visited the basilica. This yr, organizers expect near 100,000 folks to go to over the 5 days, mentioned Father Gregory Ross, a priest on the basilica.
The estimate got here from “the rise in publicity via social media lately, and the expansion in San Antonio itself. There are simply extra folks right here than there have been in 1999,” Ross mentioned.
He mentioned the basilica is working with the Metropolis of San Antonio and a non-public safety agency to handle the crowds and guarantee guests can pray and venerate safely.
The relics of St. Thérèse have traveled the world since 1997, when the centennial of her demise impressed a world pilgrimage. Earlier than coming to San Antonio this yr, Ross mentioned the relics visited cities alongside the West Coast and within the Detroit space.
Credit score: Courtesy / Little Flower Basilica employees from Sanctuary of Lisieux
What’s particular concerning the relics’ go to to San Antonio is that the Basilica of the Nationwide Shrine of the Little Flower is the primary nationwide shrine devoted to St. Thérèse in the US.
“There’s virtually a way that, you understand, she’s coming dwelling to be with us for a number of days, and we count on lots of people who’re dedicated to St. Thérèse to cross via the basilica,” Ross mentioned.
After the San Antonio go to, the relics will go to Lafayette, Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; St. Louis, Missouri; Holy Hill, Wisconsin; Washington, D.C.; and Miami, Florida — websites linked to the Discalced Carmelite Order, the neighborhood to which St. Thérèse belonged, Ross defined.
The relics’ dwelling base is in Lisieux, France, the place St. Thérèse lived, died and was buried.
Nicknamed “The Little Flower,” St. Thérèse is most identified for her autobiography, “The Story of a Soul,” written on the request of her sisters. Ross mentioned it’s one of the crucial in style books of Catholic spirituality.
“She known as herself the little flower of Jesus,” Ross mentioned. “In different phrases, she was simply a type of little, type of unremarkable, so to talk, within the eyes of the world, flowers, identical to everyone else. And but, she says God loves each as in the event that they had been the one one.”
The relics’ journey across the globe coincides with the a centesimal anniversary of St. Thérèse’s canonization and 2025 being declared the Jubilee Yr of Hope by Pope Francis earlier than his demise.
“St. Thérèse can be a messenger of hope. She lived continuously with that, placing all her hope within the Lord … so this go to actually is a superb occasion to have throughout this Jubilee Yr of Hope,” Ross mentioned.
The relics of the Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, St. Thérèse’s dad and mom, may also be accessible for veneration in a small museum area within the basilica’s basement.
Ross encourages guests to park at Wonderland of the Americas Mall, the place VIA will present a $2.50 round-trip shuttle to the basilica all through the go to. Handicap parking areas will likely be accessible at basilica, however common parking close by will likely be restricted.
“We actually want to verify folks plan their go to in order that they don’t find yourself simply driving round with out a place to park,” Ross mentioned.
Discover the complete schedule of occasions and extra data on the basilica’s web site.
