June 12th, 10:22 PM

Day 2 of the Saint David Parish Pilgrimage

Today we walked in the footsteps of one of the Church’s most beloved saints, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower.”

Our day began at the Carmelite Carmel where Thérèse lived her vocation alongside her sisters Marie, Pauline, and Céline. In the quiet simplicity of the convent, we experienced the contemplative atmosphere that shaped her spirituality and inspired her “Little Way” of holiness. We also had the opportunity to pray before the wax figure containing the remains of St. Thérèse.

From there, we returned to the magnificent Basilica of St. Thérèse. Built following her canonization in 1925, the basilica was constructed as a national act of gratitude for the saint whose message of trust and spiritual childhood touched the entire world. Its soaring architecture and beautiful mosaics stand as a testament to the countless lives transformed by her witness.

While visiting the Martin Family Chapel, the basilica’s newest addition dedicated to Sts. Louis Martin and Zélie Martin—the first married couple canonized together—I lit a candle and offered prayers for our entire Saint David family: our parishioners, school families, staff, benefactors, and all who have entrusted us with their intentions.

After lunch, we visited Les Buissonnets, the childhood home where Thérèse spent many of her formative years, before making our way to the beautiful Lisieux Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Pierre. Dating largely from the 12th and 13th centuries, it is one of the oldest churches in Lisieux and was the parish church of the Martin family. Within its walls, St. Thérèse prayed, worshipped, and grew in faith as a young girl.

We celebrated Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady, a particularly moving moment for our pilgrims. It was here in this cathedral that Thérèse received her First Holy Communion in 1884. Reflecting on that day, she would later describe receiving Jesus in the Eucharist as her “first kiss from God.” Standing in the very place where that profound encounter occurred was a powerful reminder of the gift of the Eucharist and the transforming love of Christ.

What a blessing to spend the day immersed in the life of this extraordinary saint who reminds us that holiness is found not in doing great things, but in doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us!