As we departed the busyness of Paris we stopped by for a few quick pictures at the Eiffel Tower. This iconic reminder of France was constructed for the 1889 Exposition Universelle. This date also marked the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Some thought it was the ugliest site and wanted it quickly removed. For forty-one years it was the tallest structure in the world and as we know is now very much associated with France.

Our next stop was several hours into the fertile farms and vineyards of Normandy in the town of Lisieux and home of the famous little saint, Therese of the Child Jesus. She is most noted for her famous autobiography, The Story of a Soul, emphasizing the core of her spirituality, namely, the primacy of love, or of capturing God’s heart through love. She was born on January 2, 1873, and died at the age of twenty-four of tuberculosis. She practiced simple acts of love and trusted with a childlike heart. She was one of the youngest ever allowed to enter Carmel and bravely went all the way to Pope Leo XIII begging for permission.

“Lifting tear-filled eyes to his face I cried out: ‘Most Holy Father, I have a great favor to ask you!…Holy Father, in honor of your jubilee, permit me to enter Carmel at the age of fifteen.’”

Therese Lisieux to Pope Leo XIII

She was finally admitted at fifteen years old, her dream come true. St Therese is the youngest female Doctor of the Church. Our first stop was her home parish as a child.

Clearly this was never like any childhood parish of mine. It was here that she prayed to enter Carmel and join her sister Pauline. It was here she prayed for and with her family. Of the five daughters who lived of Louie and Zelie Martin, all five entered religious life and one was declared a saint. Now that is some holy parenting 🙂

We traveled just a few minutes further in Lisieux to the Basilica of Sainte Therese. This site is second to Lourdes for the most visitors. It is huge and holds up to 4,000 people for Mass.

Deacon Mark assisting at Mass

We were blessed to be able to have Mass said in the Adoration Chapel below the main Church which was already booked for Sunday Mass. St. Thérèse was canonized in 1925, the same year the basilica was envisioned. However, it wasn’t until 1927 that plans were finally approved. My photos are simply inadequate to capture the beauty and magnificence of the Basilica. Suffice it to say, it is worth the trip and to spend time where a saint walked among us.

Tomorrow we will spend some time in the Martin family home and then off to the Normandy coast.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: “Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance, but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, “Be holy because I [am] holy.” (1Peter 1:15)

Therese witnessed to us all the possibility of being holy in a hostile world. Where is God calling us to grow in holiness? Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, ask for the grace to grow in holiness and love.

Be a saint, what else is there? (P. Coffin)

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam