𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞́𝐫𝐞̀𝐬𝐞

[Dawn Marie]

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟔: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞́𝐫𝐞̀𝐬𝐞

.

On March 26, 1923, the town of Lisieux bore witness to an extraordinary event—the solemn translation of the relics of Thérèse Martin, now venerated as Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, from the municipal cemetery to the Carmel of Lisieux. This deeply significant occasion marked a milestone in the growing devotion to the young Carmelite whose "Little Way" of love and spiritual childhood had touched countless souls worldwide.

.

A Journey from Hiddenness to Glory

Thérèse had lived a life of simplicity, hidden away within the cloistered walls of the Carmel of Lisieux. When she passed away at the age of 24 on September 30, 1897, she was buried in the town's municipal cemetery. At the time, few outside her convent knew of her remarkable spiritual depth. However, the publication of her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, soon after her death ignited a wave of devotion that spread far beyond Lisieux, reaching every corner of the Catholic world.

By 1910, pilgrims had already begun flocking to her gravesite, seeking her intercession and experiencing miraculous graces. Recognizing the immense spiritual impact of Thérèse’s life and writings, Pope Pius XI advanced her cause for beatification. To prepare for this honor, it was deemed fitting that her remains be transferred to the Carmel where she had consecrated her life to God.

.

The Solemn Translation of the Relics

On the morning of March 26, 1923, Lisieux was enveloped in an atmosphere of reverence and anticipation. A vast crowd, including clergy, religious, and laity, gathered to witness the historic event. The procession began at the cemetery, where her coffin—sealed since her burial in 1897—was exhumed under the supervision of Church officials. When it was opened, witnesses reported that the bones of Thérèse, though fragmented, were exuding a delicate fragrance, a sign of her sanctity.

As her relics were placed in an ebony casket adorned with silver, the procession solemnly made its way through the streets of Lisieux. The faithful lined the roads, singing hymns and praying, their hearts filled with devotion for the "Little Flower." When the relics arrived at the gates of the Carmel, the cloistered nuns, including Thérèse’s sister, Mother Agnes of Jesus (Pauline Martin), awaited with tears of joy and veneration.

The casket was carried into the monastery chapel, where it was enshrined in a place of honor. This sacred transfer not only allowed the Carmelite community to be reunited with their beloved sister in a physical sense but also enabled countless pilgrims to venerate her in the very place where she had lived her life of profound holiness.

.

A Prelude to Canonization

The translation of Thérèse’s relics was a pivotal moment leading up to her beatification, which took place on April 29, 1923. Just two years later, on May 17, 1925, Pope Pius XI canonized her as Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, calling her the "greatest saint of modern times."

(Photos courtesy of the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux)

[Sr. Samia Abou-Shakra]

Great event and memorial! She is one of the most loved and influential saint in history and I love her very much! May God be praised and glorified in His saints!