General Discussions

Cheryl was graced with a visit to the National Shrine and Museum of St. Therese in December, and she has shared her photos with us. Enjoy!

This section of the Chapel's stained glass depicts the Risen Jesus and Elijah, as well as Sts. Simon Stock, Teresa of Avila, Theresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) and Saint Titus Brandsma.

The Chapel's stained glass depicts the Carmelite spirituality of St. John of the Cross, with parallel's St. Therese's journey to holiness. The light and dark colors represent the stages of our soul awakening to the Divine Presence here and hereafter.

Wax Statue of the Child Jesus and hand-made garments

This wax figure of the Christ Child was the centerpiece of a paraliturgical celebration, "The Divine Little Beggar", designed by Therese for the Carmel community and presented on the evening of December 25, 1895.

During the celebration, each sister drew a folded note from a basket and handed it to an angel (Sister Marie of the Eucharist

) who sang the verse. In the presence of the community, each of the sisters received a personal invitation to offer the Lord the best of herself.

The crib was lined with swan down from the dress Therese wore the day she took the habit; the tunic was cut from the same dress. The doll's hair was made from Therese's hair, cut when she was a child. The Alencon lace was made by Madame Martin, Therese's mother.

Displayed here are some of the vestments made by Therese for the little wax figure. Each was created from a pattern designed by Therese and he novice and then hand-sewn.

After the death of her mother, Zelie, young Therese and her father, Louis Martin, were walking and looking at the stars. Therese looked up and saw where the stars had formed a "T" - and she knew she was made for heaven. "Look, Papa, my name is written in heaven."

After a long struggle with illness and the emotional impact of her mother's death, youngn St. Therese was healed by the smaile of the family statyue of Our Lady Victorious, who became "Our Lady of the Smile."

Reliquary

This hand carved wooden reliquary is a reproduction of the casket that contains Therese's remains which is presently in the large basilica in Lisieux. The center of the rose in Therese's hand contains a relic. This reliquary was a gift from the cloistered Carmelite Nuns in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This statue (left) depicts St. Therese receiving roses from Mary with the Child Jesus. The Holy Face of Jesus is on the cross.

This toy tambourine (left) was used by Therese as a child in Les Buissonets, the Martin's home in Lisieux. She later used it for the plays and songs she created while in the Carmel of Lisieux.

This is one of the four original photocopies of the original Story of a Soul, written by Therese in a student's copy book.