Lisieux will always be a special place for me. Aside from being a quiet little town in Normandy's Calvados department, it has found a spot in the map because of its famous little resident - St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Lisieux is our second stop in our pilgrimage. Let me tour you around. :-)
Our first stop in Lisieux is at the Basilique of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. We were all invited to attend the closing of the Year of Mercy in the diocese. Our NDV pilgrim-priests - Fr. Francis Dizon and Fr. Gabo concelebrated. And what made me giddy was that the Filipino group was asked to sing during the offertory procession. We sang "Tinapay ng Buhay". Jenny Salvana (34th Gen Yobel) accompanied the group by guitar. (Unfortunately, I do not have a video of that event. Paging all pilgrims with the video, pwede pa share, hehehe!)
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Trivia:
This is one fact perhaps only a few of us are aware of. Inside the basilica, there is a mural especially dedicated to the Philippines. It is a mural of the EDSA Revolution 1986. After the mass, I searched for it and found it at the right rear corner of the church. I never felt so proud as a Filipino seeing this mural in Lisieux. So the next time you visit the basilica, look for this mural. I bet you, something in you will be stirred because that historic event in the Philippines is given importance here in one little corner of the world.
After the mass, syempre, all pilgrims gathered outside the basilica for a group photo. I was one of the photographers of the group so there are some shots where I am not included. :-(
But thank you to some of the pilgrims who took a photo of me taking their photo. Great!
After the mass, we were all led to Ermitage Sainte Therese - Sanctuaire de Lisieux for lunch. 'Twas a hearty lunch, indeed! And I like the place/hotel/retreat house. It was homey with lots of places for meditation and silent prayer.
Lunch with Fr. Kiko Dizon (20th Gen) , Tita Inday a.k.a. Teresita Maish (sister of Ms. Josie Dejoras) and husband Lynn, and Ate Chit Santos (Molian).
The Martin family moved to Les Buissonnets in 1877 shortly after Thérèse’s mother, Zelie, died, and it was here that she suffered from an unknown illness whose cure she attributed to a statue of the Virgin Mary.
The house of Little Therese and her family.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
This is her room.
Her bed, her cabinet with the image of Our Lady of Smiles on top, her locks (hair) placed in a frame, her statue of St. Joan of Arc, and some chairs.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
I can't explain it in words but I did feel her presence here. St. Therese, pray for us, pray for me. I have traveled half across the globe to be here. Please pray for me for complete healing.
All things related to her baptism, first communion and confirmation. They were all preserved.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
Outside the house there is a garden where a statue of Louis Martin and Therese was placed to remind the pilgrims of the day when Therese asked permission from her father to enter Carmel.
(The last photo was taken from Pinterest)
There is also sort of a storage house at the far end of the garden. A crèche was preserved inside a window. It was believed to be the crèche made by St. Therese.
Just outside the house is a statue of St. Therese. There you can see so many souvenirs left by the pilgrims from all over the world. Some items are for prayer petitions but most of the sacred items are for thanksgiving/ answered prayers. Indeed, our Little Flower is a saint to nations.
After Les Buissonnets, we walked to the Cathedral of Lisieux where St. Therese and her family would receive the sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance.
This is the chapel (corner) where St. Therese and her family would stay during mass.
Our last stop is at the Monastery of Carmel. This is where St. Therese spent the rest of her days as a Carmelite.
The compound was totally renovated together with the adjacent chapel where her relics are housed. There is also a museum dedicated to St. Therese. I am amazed by the place. The staff there said the renovation was intended for the centennial celebration of Therese.
(Click the upper right corner of the main photo to view the pics as slideshow.)
The chapel in Carmel with the relics of St. Therese on the right side.
St. Therese spent the rest of her life inside the monastery but her influence and her teachings reached all nations across the globe. It is a manifestation of the mystery of God. The Good News of our Lord Jesus should not be kept within the confines of a religious community. It must go beyond its walls, and it did! Thanks to St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the patroness of missions and missionaries.
My Novena Rose Prayer
O Little Therese of the Child Jesus
Please pick for me a rose
from the heavenly garden
and send it to me
as a message of love.
O Little Flower of Jesus,
ask God to grant the favors
I now place with confidence
in you hands
( mention your special prayer request here )
St. Therese, help me to always believe
as you did, in God's great love for me,
so that I may imitate your
"Little Way" each day. Amen.
Jesus' li'l flower
Shower of roses to all
No great deeds but love
- At 'yan ang sabi ni Manang!
Lisieux, France
Nobyembre 2016