Normandy Celebrates 100 Years of Sainthood for Its Most Famous Citizen
The Catholic Church and the town of Lisieux celebrated the 100th anniversary of the canonization of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face with three days of solemn celebration on May 16-18, 2025. On May 18, the Basilica of St. Thérèse carried a live broadcast of Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass from St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on large screens.
The popular French saint, often referred to by devotees as "The Little Flower," was born Thérèse Martin. Following just nine years of religious life in the cloistered Carmelite monastery in Lisieux, she died at the age of 24 of tuberculosis in 1897. She lived with two of her older sisters and eventually her closest sibling in the same monastery.
Following her death, Thérèse became known worldwide through her spiritual memoir, Story of a Soul. She quickly became the object of astonishing devotion. The basilica built in her honor in Lisieux is today the second most visited place of pilgrimage in France after Lourdes. Some 1 million visitors come annually to the basilica. Beatified in 1923, she was canonized in Rome on May 17, 1925, by Pope Pius XI, who proclaimed her patroness of missions in 1927. Pope Pius X called her “the greatest saint of modern times.” One hundred years after her death, in 1997, St. John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church.
The celebrations this year involved the entire city. Activities were planned to appeal to everyone, regardless of their age, level of faith or religious practice.
On May 16 in the evening -- a procession carrying the relics of St. Thérèse on a horse-drawn cart traveled through the streets of Lisieux, followed by several hundred people. This is the reliquary which has travelled the world always bringing in large crowds of Thérèse’s devotees. The reliquary spent some time in the Cathedral where the Martin family went to Mass regularly. It was then transferred to the basilica for a vigil of prayer.
The following day, the reliquary was displayed in front of the basilica. Some of her writings were read and the large crowd sung hymns. The Mass included the reading of the homily that Pope Pius XI delivered in Rome during the canonization Mass in 1925.
The rest of the weekend, pilgrims and others participated in activities related to the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse. They were able to make a jubilee pilgrimage and go to confession, but also take part in treasure hunts for children, guided tours of the wax museum, and, in a nod to 21st century intrigues, helped build a large structure out of Lego-style building bricks.
People dressed in late 19th century period costumes, took visitors through places Thérèse lived so they could easily enter into the atmosphere of everyday life in Lisieux in St. Thérèse's time.
The bishop of Diocese of Bayeux and Lisieux, Jacques Habert, commented that there today a fascination for people of various backgrounds with Thérèse. "When I walk across the square in front of the basilica in Lisieux, I am always struck by the number of people who clearly are not used to going to church," he said. "They have heard about Thérèse, are interested in her, and want to come in and light a candle. It is a kind of attraction that is beyond our understanding."
"During World War I, many soldiers, both French and German, testified to their devotion to her and the graces they had received through her intercession," Father Schwab added. "And since then, enthusiasm for her has not waned.
---
