Pilgrims moved in a quiet, steady flow through the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 20, drawn by the opportunity to venerate the relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux during their regional visit.
The reliquary, part of the national Relics of Love and Trust Tour 2025, is stopping in the Washington area from Nov. 19 to 30, offering the faithful several days to pray, reflect and encounter the legacy of the saint known as the Little Flower.
The midday Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, who centered his homily on the enduring power of Saint Thérèse’s little way. He noted Christ’s habit of choosing unexpected figures, including women with difficult backgrounds, tax collectors, religious outsiders and especially children, whose humility and trust became a model for the kingdom of God.
"Thérèse Martin understood what Jesus was intending to accomplish by selecting children as ambassadors for God’s kingdom," Cardinal Gregory said, noting the future saint’s childhood, which he described as immersed in holiness and shaped by religious virtue.
Even in her brief life, he continued, she was recognized as a child of innocence and spiritual strength.
The liturgy included a Blessing of Roses since roses are a devotional symbol closely associated with the Little Flower’s promise to "let fall a shower of roses." The prayer asked that those who breathe their sweetness may run after Christ as a pleasing fragrance in the world.
The Collect of the Mass framed her spirituality: "O God, who opened your kingdom to those who are humble and to little ones, lead us to follow trustingly in the way of Saint Thérèse."
After the Mass, many remained in line to approach the reliquary. Among them was 24-year-old Teresa Balick, who said her devotion to Saint Thérèse began before she was born.
"My mom was reading Story of a Soul when I was in her womb, so I am named after her," she said. "It makes sense, right?"
Balick said she believes the saint resonates with young Catholics because Saint Thérèse herself was young when she died, and because her path to holiness can be lived by anyone in ordinary life.
"She was 24 when she died. A lot of her path to holiness happened when she was so young. It shows that holiness is attainable at a very young age. You do not have to be older to attain it," Balick said.
She said what most inspires her is the simplicity of the little way.
"You do not have to do anything grand. You do not have to be super holy or constantly in church,” Balick said. “You can do all the little things during your day and offer them to God. It does not have to be so complicated."
Balick, who lives in Alexandria and often attends liturgies at the Dominican House of Studies or other parishes in the Diocese of Arlington, said she made the trip to the Shrine because she did not want to miss the chance to venerate the relics in person.
In closing his homily, Cardinal Gregory reminded the congregation that Catholic devotion to relics is not a tribute to the past but a present-day plea for God’s grace. "Catholics venerate the saints because we firmly believe that God has power to transform us," he said, noting that the graces that animated Saint Thérèse’s life remain available to believers today.
As pilgrims approached the reliquary one by one, many carried roses, rosaries or prayer cards. The basilica remained quiet as people waited in line for their turn to venerate the relics. The line moved slowly through the nave, and individuals paused briefly in prayer before the reliquary.
Related stories:
Relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux to visit Washington area Nov. 19-30
https://www.cathstan.org/local...
Carmelite Nuns of Port Tobacco to welcome relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
https://www.cathstan.org/local...
November Junior Saints: Like St. Thérèse, students show their own 'Little Way' of drawing closer to Jesus
