Little Flower's Basilica

"You will see--all the world will love me." Thus spoke the little French girl who, soon after her death in 1897, became known to all the world as "The Little Flower of Jesus." Beatified in 1923--the Roman Catholic officials waiving the custom that 50 years must elapse before a "cause" is begun--she was canonized in 1925 as St. Therese of the Infant Jesus.

To the Little Flower's shrine at Lisieux, France, where Marie Francoise Therese Martin entered the Carmelite Convent at 15, many & many a pilgrim has journeyed. Fulfilled long ago by scores of miracles was the Little Flower's prediction that "Apres ma mart je ferai tomber une pluie de roses" (After my death I will cause to fall a shower of roses). In gratitude, and for spiritual love, many francs, pounds and dollars have been given to the Carmelites at Lisieux in whose daily prayers all subscribers are remembered. At Lisieux last week there was tangible result of this giving. Dedicated was the crypt of a great basilica which is to rise, with Romanesque dome and tower, in honor of St. Therese. Jean Cardinal Verdier, Archbishop of Paris, and the Bishop of Bayeux, presided. Came also many a prelate returning from the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. There were open air masses, processions, lectures on the holy life of the Little Flower. Not the least interested in the dedication were three Carmelites and one Visitation Nun. They were the surviving sisters of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus: Celine, 61; Leonie, 65; Marie, 78; Carmelites at Lisieux. Cloistered all, they did not attend the dedication, just as in 1925 they preferred not to accept the Pope's special invitation to the canonization of their sister.

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