The French saint, Therese Martin, died of tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of 24, after nine years of religious life in the Carmelite convent of Lisieux. She quickly became the object of widespread devotion, far beyond France’s borders.
Newsroom (May 20, 2025 18:31, Gaudium Press) This past Saturday, May 17, the Church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the canonization of the Carmelite nun Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. A Doctor of the Church and Patroness of Missions, her message remains alive throughout the world.
In Normandy, France, Catholics commemorated the centenary of St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s canonization with three days of solemn celebrations from May 16 to 18. These festivities included a live broadcast of the Mass inaugurating Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate, on May 18, shown on giant screens at the Basilica of Saint Thérèse in Lisieux.
The French saint, Thérèse Martin, died of tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of 24, after nine years of religious life in the Carmelite convent of Lisieux. She quickly became the object of widespread devotion, far beyond France’s borders. Beatified in 1923, she was canonized in Rome on May 17, 1925, by Pope Pius XI, who proclaimed her Patroness of the Missions in 1927.
One hundred years after her death, in 1997, Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church.
Festivities in Lisieux
Fr. Emmanuel Schwab, rector of the Shrine of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux since 2023, oversaw the organization of the festivities. “They were designed to be broadly open to the general public, even those unfamiliar with the Church,” he told OSV News. “The entire city got involved, and the events were planned to appeal to everyone, regardless of age, faith level, or religious practice.”
On the evening of May 16, a procession with the relics of Saint Thérèse, in a horse-drawn carriage, passed through the streets of Lisieux, followed by several hundred people.
“We took the relics out of the Carmelite convent and brought them to the Cathedral of Saint Peter, where Thérèse used to attend Mass with her family,” explained Fr. Schwab. “Her relics always arouse deep emotion and fervor.”
The procession continued to the basilica, where pilgrims joined in a prayer vigil lasting late into the night. Built between 1929 and 1954 in neo-Byzantine style, the basilica can hold up to 3,000 pilgrims and receives about 1 million visitors per year, according to the Lisieux Tourism Office. It is especially busy around October 1, the feast day of Saint Thérèse.
On May 17, Saint Thérèse’s reliquary was displayed on the esplanade of the basilica in the presence of a large crowd, as some of her writings were read aloud.
Bishop Jacques Habert of Bayeux-Lisieux presided over the solemn Mass, alongside other bishops from Normandy. It began with the reading of Pope Pius XI’s homily from the canonization Mass in 1925.
Throughout the weekend, visitors and pilgrims took part in activities related to the life and spirituality of Saint Thérèse. At places where she lived, such as her childhood home “Les Buissonnets,” people dressed in late 19th-century attire welcomed visitors and helped them immerse themselves in the atmosphere of daily life during Thérèse’s time.
Why Does Saint Thérèse Still Attract So Many?
“All the popes of the 20th century have shown great interest in Saint Thérèse,” emphasized Fr. Schwab. He noted that the people of Normandy felt very proud after the election of Pope Leo XIV, knowing that his paternal grandmother was born in Normandy in 1894.
Bishop Habert remarked that even today there remains a “mystery” surrounding why Thérèse continues to draw such attention—beyond the enormous success of her book Story of a Soul, which combines her autobiographical writings and spiritual testament.
“When I cross the square in front of the basilica in Lisieux, I’m always struck by how many people clearly aren’t regular churchgoers,” he said. “They’ve heard about Thérèse, become interested, and want to come in and light a candle. It’s a kind of attraction that goes beyond our understanding. Many Carmelite nuns lived holy lives.”
Bishop Habert told OSV News that Saint Thérèse lived a cloistered life, and her death was “a completely private event.” Yet she quickly began to attract crowds, and even before her canonization, Pope Pius X called her “the greatest saint of modern times.”
“During World War I, many soldiers—French and German—testified to their devotion to her and the graces received through her intercession,” added Fr. Schwab. “And since then, the enthusiasm for her has never waned.”
According to the rector, it is Thérèse’s little way that explains her lasting appeal. “When we talk about love, it attracts everyone, in all eras,” he said. “In her writings, it’s striking how attentive she was to God’s action in her life. She saw God’s love and mercy directed toward her and wanted to renounce her own will to become totally available and dependent on His love. That was very original at a time when a stricter view of God as judge of the living and the dead was more common. She had surprising spiritual freedom.”
“Humanly speaking, it’s hard to understand how such a short, hidden, even laborious life could spark such great interest,” Bishop Habert concluded. “But we see clearly that Thérèse placed God’s love at the center of her life. And that continues to bear fruit today.”
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj with files from Ucanews
Related Images:
