Junno Arocho Esteves, OSV News
The Shrine of St. Teresa of Lisieux has planned events in France to celebrate throughout the Holy Year to 'the little flower', so affectionately known. And in May, the relics of St. Teresa of Avila, the great doctor, can be venerated, which has not happened since 1914.
The events of St. Thérèse of Lisieux culminate with a celebration on May 17 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the canonization of the famous French saint.
In the same month, the relics of Saint Teresa of Avila will be open to the public for its veneration for the third time in more than four centuries. It will take place from May 11 to 25. The event follows a year-long study of the saint's relics by researchers. They found her body incorrupt since her death in 1582.
The 'story of a soul
The French shrine has said that the "story of Therese's life and posterity" has inspired the spiritual and cultural events planned for the year "with the theme of joy in holiness."
The saint was the youngest of nine children. She was born in 1873, the daughter of Saints Louis Martin and Celia Guerin, who named her Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin. Like her older sisters, she joined the Carmelite sisters in 1888 at the age of 15, after approval by her bishop. She took the name Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.
His desire for holiness grew
Her desire for holiness only grew during her time as a Carmelite sister. In her autobiography, 'The Story of a Soul,' she often compared herself to other saints. And she often doubted that she could ever attain her degree of sainthood.
"You know that it has always been my desire to become a saint. But I have always felt, in comparing myself with the saints, that I am as far from them as the grain of sand. A grain that the passerby tramples on, far from the mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds," she wrote.
However, this did not prevent her from seeking "a means to reach Heaven by a little way". In it the Carmelite nun hoped to attain holiness through small acts of holiness.
He died at the age of 24 saying, "My God, I love you."
"You must practice the little virtues. This is sometimes difficult, but God never refuses the first grace: courage for self-conquest. And if the soul corresponds to that grace, it immediately finds itself in the light of God's sun," he wrote.
"I am not dying, I am entering into life," he wrote to his missionary spiritual brother, Father M. Bellier, before dying in 1897 of tuberculosis at the age of 24. His last words were: "My God, I love you".
Autobiography, canonization, Doctor of the Church
Due to the impact of Thérèse's autobiography, which was published a year after her death, the canonization process was opened in 1914, and on May 17, 1925 she was canonized by Pope Pius XI.
In 1997, St. John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church. In his letter apostolic 'Divini Amoris Scientia', (The Science of Divine Love), St. John Paul II said that St. Teresa did not have "a true and proper doctrinal corpus". But her writings showed "a particular radiance of doctrine". This presented "a teaching of eminent quality".
On the other hand, Pope Francis published on October 15, 2023 the Apostolic Exhortation '.C'est la confiance', which you can see hereon the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth.
St. Teresa of Jesus, mystic and reformer
The study of the remains of St. Teresa of Avila, approved by the Vatican, was carried out by Italian doctors and scientists in August 2024.
Father Marco Chiesa, postulator general of the Discalced Carmelite Order, was present when the silver reliquary containing her relics was opened. He said the body was "in the same condition as when it was last opened in 1914."
After concluding the study, the Order of the Discalced Carmelites in Spain announced that the relics would be open to the public for veneration from May 11 to 25. Location: the Basilica of the Annunciation in Alba de Tormes.
According to the local Spanish news site, 'Salamanca Al Día', the Carmelitas said the upcoming event was "historic and unique", and would not happen again for a long time.
"We hope it will be a reason for pilgrims to come closer to Jesus Christ and the church. An evangelization for all visitors and a greater knowledge of St. Teresa of Jesus. To enrich us all with the example of her life while invoking her intercession," said the Carmelites.
Renewal of the spiritual and monastic life
The exhibition, reported in 'Salamanca Al Día', is part of a process of canonical recognition authorized by Pope Francis that began in 2022. It will conclude on May 26, the day after the exhibition, and his remains will be returned to his tomb.
Teresa of Avila played a key role during the Counter-Reformation in fostering the renewal of the spiritual and monastic life and also in reforming the Carmelite Order. Her call for a return to a more contemplative lifestyle inspired many, including St. John of the Cross, with whom she founded the Discalced Carmelites.
Doctor of the Church, "determined determination".
Known for her theological writings on the spiritual life, such as "The Interior Castle" and "The Way of Perfection", she was proclaimed Doctor of the Church by St. Paul VI in 1970.
In a 2021 video message commemorating the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Teresa of Avila as a doctor of the church, Pope Francis said she "was outstanding in many ways."
"It should not be forgotten, however, that her acknowledged relevance in these dimensions is but the consequence of what was important to her. Her encounter with the Lord, her 'determined determination,' as she puts it, to persevere in union with Him through prayer."
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Junno Arocho Esteves writes for OSV News from Malmö, Sweden. This text is a translation of an article first published in OSV News. You can find the original article here here.
