Saint Therese of the Child Jesus

of the Holy Face

Entries in Rome (3)

A film of the veil St. Therese wore for her audience with the Pope, and an interview with Fr. Francois-Marie Lethel, O.C.D. (with English voice-over) about St. Therese as a doctor of the Church 

 Advance to 21:27 of the October 14, 2014 episode of EWTN's "Vaticano" to see four minutes of film of the Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Rome, where the black lace veil the fourteen-year-old Therese wore for her audience with the Pope on November 20, 1887 is on display.  The veil was made by her mother, Blessed Zelie Martin, who was a manufacturer of point d'Alencon lace.  This is followed by a filmed interview with the French Carmelite friar Fr. Francois-Marie Lethel, O.C.D., who was engaged in the ecclesial proceedings that led to St. Therese's being named a Doctor of the Church in 1997.  He reflects on the significance of her doctorate.  Fr. Lethel preached the Lenten retreat to Pope Benedict and his household in 2011, and this is a rare chance for the English-speaking world to hear his thoughts on St. Therese. 

Note that this church ceased to be a parish church in 2011, but many people still visit it out of devotion to St. Therese.  If you're in Rome and want to visit it, it is known as the "Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Panfilo," in the Princiano Quarter, and is located at Via Gaspare Spontini 17 in Rome.  See a map.  The church's Facebook page.  More information about the Church of St. Therese of the Child Jesus in Rome.

Video "Relics of St. Therese and her parents exposed to show the holiness of family life," by RomeReports.com, October 15, 2014

In this less than three-minute film posted today, see an interview with Father Antonio Sangalli, the vice-postulator of the cause for canonization of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, and footage of pilgrims praying before the "family relics' in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. 

Pope Francis incenses relics of St. Therese and of her parents at opening Mass of Synod of Bishops, October 5, 2014

 Pope Francis, seen from side and  rear, in green vestments, incenses the wood-and-gold reliquary of St. Therese; the small reliquary of Blessed Luigi and Maria Beltramme Quattrochi is at left

Pope Francis incenses the relics of St. Therese and of her parents, Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin at the beginning of the Mass to open the Synod of Bishops on the Family. St. Peter's Basilica, October 5, 2014. Photo credit: CTV