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.

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.

 

Sign up to get Relics Visit reminders and further details as the 2023 visit approaches!

2023 Relics Visit Signup Form

If you would like to receive timely information about the 2023 Relics Visit to the National Shrine in Darien, Illinois, please sign up below.

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