Relics to Visit the National Shrine in Darien, Illinois
The Relics of St. Therese and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, are coming to the National Shrine of St. Therese in Darien, Illinois from September 17 through October 1, 2023.
We are honored to welcome the relics of St. Therese and her parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, to the National Shrine of St. Therese in Darien, Illinois, from September 17 through October 1, 2023 open to the public from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, daily. This special visit is sponsored by the Society of the Little Flower, which is dedicated to promoting the spirituality and message of St. Therese of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower.
The relics will be available for public veneration during this time, giving visitors the opportunity to deepen their faith and connect with this holy family.
Special Programming and Religious Gifts
Special Programming
- Daily Mass at 11:30 AM
- Daily talk on St. Therese and/or her parents from 2 to 4 PM
- Carmelite Gift Shop open from 9 AM to 8 PM each day
- Special Mass by Bishop Hicks September 29th at 11:30 AM
- Spanish language Masses on September 17 and 24 at 2:00PM
Unique Religious Gifts Available
Available on this website after July 25th
- Special “Family Homecoming” chaplet featuring a centerpiece depicting St. Therese and her parents
- Commemorative Relics Tour Medallion
- 14 Days of Prayer booklet
Available on this website after August 16th
- Blessed red silk roses, touched to the relic of St. Therese will be available here on our website.
Available on this website after September 17th
- Blessed white silk roses. touched to the relics of her parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin will be available at the Shrine and here on our website.
Plan Your Visit
Convenient amenities in the Darien, Illinois area.
Accommodations
Hotels within 4 miles of the Shrine
- Extended Stay America in Darien
- La Quinta Inn in Willowbrook
- Wood Spring Suites in Darien
- Marriott in Burr Ridge
- Crown Plaza in Burr Ridge
- Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien
Nearby Restaurants
- Chuck’s Southern Comforts 8025 Cass Ave, Darien
- Honey Jam Café 401 75th St., Downers Grove
- Portillo’s Hot Dogs 7195 N. Kingery Hwy, Willowbrook
- Blueberry Hill Pancake House 7340 Route 83, Darien
- Home Run Pizza 7521 Lemont Road, Darien
- Buona Beef 7417 S. Cass Avenue, Darien
- The Patio 7440 S. Kingery Hwy, Darien
- Starbucks 7515 S. Cass Ave., Darien
Grocery/Pharmacy
- Jewel/Osco 7329 Cass Ave, Darien
- CVS Pharmacy 8325 Lemont Rd, Darien
- Walmart 2189 75th St, Darien
- Target 7601 Kingery Hwy, Willowbrook
Campus Map
Our beautiful campus is waiting for you to explore. We have over 40 acres of grounds featuring prayer stations and statuary of the saints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are relics?
Relics are physical remains of saints who people love, are inspired by, and want to stay close to. Before photography and videos, people preserved some remains of a person; an article of clothing, etc. We believe in the incarnation, that “God became flesh” these remains connect us. First-class relics are physical pieces of the person’s body or clothing. Second and third class are items they used or touched from their grave or touched to their body.
They are still commonly used in altars and churches to remember and connect with these saints and their faith. In Carmelite circles, the transverberated heart of St. Teresa of Avila and her writing hand, because she was such a prolific spiritual author, is preserved in Spain.
St Therese of Lisieux was so popular that people wanted to preserve pieces of her. Her body had corrupted, and she was emaciated by the disease which caused her death. There was little left. But as she was beatified in 1923 and canonized in 1925, people craved something of her. To make the Little Flower more available to her millions of friends, the Carmelite Nuns of Lisieux created a reliquary that could travel, which includes three small bones of hers. When we had her reliquary here in 1999, we were overwhelmed with tens of thousands of people who wanted to feel close to her.
Are private or group tours available?
Tours are available for a minimum of 10 people at $15 per person for a 50 minute tour starting at 8 and 9 am each day. Discounts are not available. You can contact us to arrange your tour on our Tour Group page.
Are photos allowed?
Yes, for private use only. We ask that those taking photos refrain from photography during the daily mass out of respect for the privacy of others.
Can we touch the relics?
You may touch the reliquary. There will be a line formed where you will be able to touch and pass for a few minutes. There will be honor guards present to wipe the case after each visitor.
How long are we allowed to stay with the relics?
You are allowed to sit and be with the relics as long as you want.
Is the Shrine and Museum handicap accessible?
Yes, both the Shrine and the Museum buildings have handicap accessible entrances and restrooms.
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2023 Relics Visit Signup Form
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