Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Therese Church
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 Location in Texas
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| Location | 1715 N. Zarzamora St., San Antonio, Texas |
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| Area | 2.4 acres (0.97 ha) |
| Built | 1926-1931 |
| Architect | Monnot, Charles L. Jr.; Dennehy Construction Co. |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000843 |
| Added to NRHP | July 09, 1998 |
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, also known as Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thérèse Church, is a special Roman Catholic church in San Antonio, Texas. It's called a "minor basilica" by the Pope. This is a big honor! Only 84 churches in the United States have this title, and only four are in Texas. Even though it's very important, it's not the main church (cathedral) for the area. That's the San Fernando Cathedral.
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History of the Basilica
This basilica is dedicated to a saint named Thérèse de Lisieux. She was known as "The Little Flower" of Jesus. The first stone for the church was placed on October 15, 1929. The building and its art are quite amazing, especially since it was built not too long ago.
The church is full of beautiful art, skilled craftsmanship, and important relics. The Discalced Carmelite Friars, who are a type of Catholic religious order, started serving the San Antonio community in 1926. The basilica was built between 1929 and 1931, during a tough time called the Great Depression. Today, it stands as a symbol of the strong faith of people who admire St. Thérèse from all over the world.
A Special Painting of St. Thérèse
One of the most valuable artworks in the basilica is a painting of St. Thérèse. It was a gift from the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, France, to the friars in San Antonio in 1927. St. Thérèse's own sister, Céline Martin, who was also a nun, helped create the original idea for this painting. It's sometimes called the "Apotheosis."
Another artist, Pascal Blanchard, painted several large versions based on Céline's idea. Céline and another nun then carefully added details to the face on each copy. One of these paintings was carried in a special parade when St. Thérèse became a saint on May 17, 1925. The painting at the basilica is one of the copies that were loaned out by the convent for these special events.
Father Raymon Gomez, one of the first four friars who came to San Antonio in 1926, helped get this painting for the basilica. He worked hard to make the friars' dream of building a national shrine to St. Thérèse come true.
Church records show that Father Gomez visited St. Thérèse's sisters in France in 1927. He asked for their blessing for the new church project. The nuns, including St. Thérèse's sister Pauline, were very happy with the idea. They promised their support and sent gifts. These gifts included signed books, photos, medals, and this beautiful painting for the Shrine.
The original painting was restored in 2007 and placed in a special spot in the church. It is 7 ft (2.1 m) wide and 10 ft (3.0 m) tall. You can find it in the lower part of the church, called the undercroft.
Importance of the Basilica
Since the National Shrine of the Little Flower became a minor basilica, it has a special "papal throne." This throne is a symbol of the Pope's connection to the church. The throne has been in the basilica for over 70 years. Important church leaders, like the archbishop of Archdiocese of San Antonio, use it during special services. These include feast day Masses and ordinations.
Holy Relics at the Basilica
The Basilica of the Little Flower keeps important relics of both St. Thérèse and her parents, Sts. Louis Martin and Marie-Azélie Guérin.
Relics of St. Thérèse
The basilica has three "first class relics" of St. Thérèse. These are very important relics. Two of them are kept in the tomb chapel dedicated to St. Thérèse.
These relics of St. Thérèse are shown to the public every week for people to honor them.
Relics of St. Thérèse's Parents
"First class relics" of Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, who were St. Thérèse's parents, were shown to the public for the first time on October 18, 2015. This was the same day they became saints in Rome. These relics were a gift to the Discalced Carmelite Friars of San Antonio from nuns in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The back of the container holding the relics, called a reliquary, shows a Bible story couple, Sara and Tobias. This reminds us how important marriage is. The idea for Sara and Tobias comes from a medal Louis Martin chose for his wedding to Zelie Guerin on July 13, 1858. That original medal is in France. The reliquary at the basilica contains small pieces of the Martins’ hair.
Gallery
See also
In Spanish: Basílica del Santuario Nacional de la Pequeña Flor (San Antonio) para niños
- List of basilicas
