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| Monday, we enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast in the hotel dining room. Then we loaded the bus for a several hour drive to Lisieux, home of St Therese of the Infant Jesus - the "Little Flower". We have a special devotion to the Little Flower both from Theresa's name and the fact that Therese has been her patron for many years, but also because she showed us by her example that ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things if only they do everything with great love. |
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| Our first stop in Lisieux is the house in which St Therese was raised. |
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| It was a little rainy as we waited in line - the maximum group size is 18 and our group was 48, so some had to wait |
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| The parlor is pleasant and it is easy to imagine the Martin family gathered around the fireplace |
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| This photo is of Therese as a young girl |
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| The kitchen/dining room is small but functional. Furniture has been removed to facilitate tour groups |
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| Upstairs is Therese's bed. Above the bed is her hair shorn when she entered Carmel |
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| Joan of Arc had a special place in Therese's life |
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| This statue of Mary was precious to the Martin family. Therese was cured of a grave illness after the statue smiled at her. |
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| Therese's hair |
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| The bedroom of Louis & Zelie Martin, Therese's parents |
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| This collection of items were all a part of Therese's life before entering Carmel |
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| This crucifix was precious to Therese |
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| In this small garden in back of the house, this statue reflects the strong bond that existed between Therese and her father |
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| Fr Mitch Pacwa |
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| Our newly made friend Olivia with Bob & Theresa |
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| This pump supplied all the family's water |
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| Near the Martin house is this shrine to the Little Flower |
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| This nearby restaurant has nothing to do with St Therese, but I just thought it was pretty! |
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| Our next stop is the chapel and Carmel convent in the center of Lisieux |
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| This effigy is inside the chapel doors and represents St Therese |
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| In an adjacent museum are artifacts from Therese's life - this is a playbill, score and prop sword from her depiction of St Joan of Arc in a play |
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| This is the actual grave of St Therese |
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| Another view of the front of the complex |
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| Our last stop in Lisieux was the shrine of St Therese. This basilica was built in only a few years after her canonization. Her book "The Story of a Soul" touched many people world-wide. Donations came flooding in and construction began almost immediately |
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| This photo is a "stitch" of three photos to get the entire front in frame |
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| A large bell tower to the side of the basilica honors Therese's parents |
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| The interior is done in mosaics and is very beautiful |
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| This reliquary contains an arm bone of St Therese and is surrounded by flowers brought by the faithful |
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| This mosaic represent God the Father showering flowers on the people, saved souls, due to St Therese's prayers. At the top are a dove (Holy Spirit) and Heart on the Cross (Jesus) to complete the Trinity |
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| In the crypt below is the resting place of St Therese's parents |
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| This view of the crypt chapel is taken from the Martin's vault |
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| Our mass was in this small side chapel on the crypt |
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| Upon return to Paris, we dined at a wonderful restaurant with very unusual decorations |
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| Judy & Deirdre are mother and daughter. Bill is a retired Marine traveling with his wife Kathleen |
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| The decorations including light fixtures are made from spoons! |
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| Traveling is so much better with a lovely companion |
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| Judy & Deirdre from New York. Judy lives on Long Island while Deirdre lives with her husband in Manhattan. |
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