Feast of Saint Thérèse 2026: an unprecedented fortnight with the Pope's visit to France - Lisieux Shrine

Du 19 Sep 2026 to Oct 04 2026

Important: The PDF/paper program has been modified following changes made after printing. Please check this webpage regularly for updated information.

An opening weekend to prepare for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV in France

With the agreement of the Carmelite nuns of Lisieux, the inaugural torchlit procession of the relics of Saint Thérèse, from the Carmel to the Basilica, will take place on Saturday, September 19, at 20:30 p.m., presided over by our guest of honor, Bishop Antoine Audo, Bishop of Aleppo of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Syria, with whom we will pray for peace. On Sunday, September 20, the reliquary will visit Saint Peter's Cathedral in procession for Vespers.

This new opening weekend of an unprecedented Theresian fortnight will be an opportunity to pray for the apostolic journey of the Holy Father, through the intercession of Saint Thérèse, secondary patron saint of France, alongside the Virgin Mary and Saint Joan of Arc.

Following the Pope in France to visit the relics of Saint Thérèse

The official website of the Pope's apostolic journey to France

From September 25 to 28, the Sanctuary of Lisieux will join the major celebrations taking place in Paris and Lourdes with the Church of France by broadcasting live streams from the Basilica's giant screens, close to the reliquary, accompanied by times of prayer and celebrations on site.

Program for the fortnight

The large reliquary of Saint Thérèse will therefore be exceptionally present in the heart of the Basilica of Lisieux for two weeks. All the teams at the sanctuary are delighted to celebrate these Thérèse festivities for the intentions of the Pope.

Download the full program (in PDF)

Important: The PDF/paper program has been modified following changes made after printing. Please check this webpage regularly for updated information.

Opening weekend

Saturday, September 19

15:00 Meet and greet with Luc Adrian, journalist and writer, and Hélène Mongin, editor of numerous works on Saint Thérèse and the Martin family, on the occasion of the publication of “Thérèse of Lisieux: The Story of a Flame” by Éditions de l'Emmanuel – Amphitheater of the Saint John Paul II Space, Basilica
20:30 Torchlight procession from the Carmel to the Basilica with the reliquary of Saint Thérèse, followed by a prayer vigil

Sunday, September 20

10:00 Conference by Bishop Antoine Audo, Bishop of Aleppo of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Syria and guest of honor for the 2026 Feast of Saint Thérèse

11:00 Solemn Mass at the Basilica with a shower of roses

15:30 Procession of the relics of Saint Thérèse from the Basilica to Saint Peter's Cathedral for Vespers (subject to prefectural authorizations, to be confirmed)

During the week: 15pm prayer at the reliquary for the intentions of the Pope

Theresian Colloquium

Under the direction of Fathers François-Marie Léthel and Loys de Saint Chamas, this colloquium will consist of 30-minute lectures, open to all, alternating with periods of discussion and celebration. It will be held in the Basilica's cinema. Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica at 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, September 22

9h – Monsignor Emmanuel Schwab, Rector of the Sanctuary: “Thérèse, the Gospel in the other direction”
9:30 – Bishop Audo, Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo: “Theresian echoes in the heart of an Eastern pastor.”
10 hrs - Interval
10:30 – Fr. François-Marie Léthel, Carmelite, Professor Emeritus of the Teresanium: “The Missionary Testament of Thérèse, Ms C 33v°-37r°”
11:30 – Eucharist
15 hrs – Fr. Florian Pillet, Community of the Beatitudes: “I walk for a missionary: the communion of goods in the communion of saints”
15:30 – Fr. Philippe, Carmelite: “Origins of the missionary orientation in the Order”.
16 hrs - Interval
16:30 – Fr. Louis Menvielle, Doctor of Theology, Notre-Dame de Vie Institute: “Thérèse of the Child Jesus, inspiration of missionary zeal”.
17 hrs - Exchange
18:15 – Vespers prayer at the Basilica

Wednesday, September 23

9h – Ms. Marie Pauliat, Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain: “Evangelization as seen by the Church Fathers: what points in common with Thérèse of Lisieux?”
9:30 – Fr. Bertrand Lestien, parish priest of Lisieux: “Theresian echoes in the heart of a pastor in France.”
10 hrs - Interval
10:30 – Ms. Julie Higaki, Associate Professor at SILS (School of International Liberal Studies) of Waseda University, Tokyo: “Thérèse the Missionary in Japan, Fr. Yoji Inoue up to the prayer 南無 Namu Abba”
11:30 – Eucharist
15 hrs – Ms. Julie Bourgoin, Doctor of Letters, Professor at ICES: “The simple writing of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: a missionary voice”
15:30 – Fr. Loys de Saint Chamas, Doctor of Theology, Former Lecturer at Waseda University: “Follow my gaze – Evangelization in the school of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face”
16 hrs - Interval
16:30 – Round table – questions – opening remarks
18:15 – Vespers prayer at the Basilica

Weekend of Pope Leo XIV's visit to France

The program is subject to change depending on the Pope's movements and the means of transmission..

Friday, September 25

15pm – Live broadcast at the Basilica of the Pope's address to UNESCO. Discussion following the broadcast.
17:15 p.m. – Solemn Vespers at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris with priests, deacons and their wives, consecrated persons, and seminarians from across France. Live broadcast from Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Basilica.
Broadcast (to be confirmed) at the Basilica of the great prayer vigil in Paris with young people from France

Saturday, September 26

10:15 a.m. – Live broadcast at the Basilica of the meeting with members of the Provincial Synodal Assembly, catechumens and neophytes at the Catholic Institute of Paris
14:15 pm – Thanksgiving Mass at the Basilica of Lisieux
15:00 PM – Live broadcast at the Basilica (to be confirmed) of the solemn open-air mass in Paris
19:40 PM: Broadcast at the Basilica of the prayer at the Grotto of the Apparitions of Massabielle in Lourdes

Sunday, September 27

10:00-10:45 A presentation on Thérèse's journey to Rome, led by Monsignor Emmanuel Schwab (Rector) – Basilica
11am – Solemn Mass with a shower of roses at the Basilica followed by the live broadcast of the Angelus from Lourdes
20:30 pm – Marian celebration at the Basilica followed at 21 pm by the live broadcast of the Holy Rosary prayer and torchlight procession from Lourdes

Thérèse Week “One day, one story”

Monday September 28

With Thérèse, accompanying people through illness

Under the direction of Father Rémy Houette, chaplain of the Sanctuary

10:30 pm - 11:45 pm Roundtable discussion “Supporting people through illness: discussing it among healthcare professionals”

Led by Monsignor Emmanuel Schwab (Rector), in the presence of Dr. Geffray (physician), Dr. Pascaline Cabouret (emergency physician and pastoral care coordinator), Emmanuel Husson (home healthcare nurse), and Frédérique Lacour (palliative care nurse and nursing school instructor). Followed by a discussion. Basilica Cinema Room

14am - 30:16pm Testimony “Supporting through illness: both the person being cared for and the caregiver”

A dialogue between two voices with Louis BOUFFARD, who has Duchesne's disease, and Laurent, his caregiver father.

The association "Les Éligibles et leurs aidants" (The Eligible Ones and their caregivers) gives a voice to those who feel underrepresented in the current debate on end-of-life care. Their mission is clear: to remind everyone that any law concerning life, vulnerability, and support must be developed in collaboration with those most directly affected. https://leseligibles.frBasilica Cinema Room

20am - 30:21pm Conference “Accompanying the sick, vulnerable, and those suffering: Practical, ethical, and spiritual guidelines.” By Tugdual Derville, “Alliance Vita” and “A bras ouverts” at the Basilica
21am - 30:22pm Prayer vigil for the sick, caregivers and family members around the reliquary at the Basilica

Tuesday, September 29

Thérèse, friend of prisoners

Under the direction of Father Pascal Pien, chaplain of the Sanctuary

10:30 pm - 11:45 pm Conference "No One Is Lost" by Bruno Lachnitt, permanent deacon and national prison chaplain. Basilica Cinema Room
14am - 00:15pm Film debate “Via Podiensis, the path to trust”

In search of spirituality and a new meaning to their lives, five inmates and six companions embark on the Camino de Santiago, following the Via Podiensis, the route from Le Puy-en-Velay. Screening followed by a Q&A with Marc Jonas, the film's director.

Real Productions / KTO, 2021, 52 mins. Basilica Cinema Room

20am - 30:21pm Testimony “Saved by Thérèse, from darkness to light” By André Pighiera, author of the book “A Beacon in the Night: Rescue with Thérèse of Lisieux”. Basilica Cinema Room

Wednesday, September 30

(Anniversary of Thérèse's death)

Thérèse, our little sister in Heaven

A day led by the pastoral team of the Sanctuary

Pilgrimage to the Lisieux cemetery

Sister Thérèse's tomb in the Lisieux cemetery was the first place of pilgrimage following the publication of...Story of a soulAccounts of graces and miracles.

Departures: 10:45 ou 14:00 (duration 1 hour 45 minutes) – Registration required.

Meet at the Saint John Paul II Space, opposite the Basilica

Bring an umbrella and shoes in case of rain; there is no shelter available.

Limited number of places per departure.

20am - 30:21pm Prayer vigil at the Carmel

Thursday, October 1

(Feast of Saint Thérèse)

Thérèse and the priests

A day under the guidance of Monsignor Emmanuel Schwab, rector

9am - 30:10pm Coffee reception at the Saint John Paul II Space
10am - 00:11pm Rector's lecture on "Thérèse and the Priests" at the Basilica
11:00 Solemn Mass with a Shower of Roses
12:15 Festive lunch at the Hermitage* for priests and religious

14am - 00:17pm Visit to the Cerza Animal Park (Lisieux)* for priests

Shuttle bus (meeting point in front of the Hermitage)

18am - 00:19pm Vespers followed by a prayer for priests at the Basilica (open to all)
19am - 00:20pm Cocktail reception at the Saint John Paul II Space* (open to all)

* Registration required – participation fee €35/person

Friday, October 2

Holiness for all, the little way

A day under the guidance of Father Loys de Saint Chamas, chaplain of the Sanctuary

9am - 30:10pm Lauds at the Basilica
10am - 00:11pm The small way, a catchy expression

A historical and bibliographical overview of publications on this theme, which leads to a shift in perspective… not always successful. Basilica Cinema Room

11am - 00:11pm Reading-concert

"I always wanted to be a saint." Yves Lafargue, titular organist of the Basilica of Fourvière.

12:00 Trade Fair
15am - 00:15pm Walk in Lisieux

Walking through Lisieux: Thérèse's powerlessness…

16am - 00:16pm Enjoy a snack at the Saint John Paul II Space
17h00 - Dialogue with illustrator and educator Elisabeth Dardinier, "Drawing the Little Way." Amphitheater of the Saint John Paul II Space
20am - 00:20pm Poetry evening: “Thérèse leads her Carmelite sisters and her priest brothers.” Basilica

Closing weekend

Saturday, October 3

The Martins, a family story

A festive day for families, led by the pastoral team of the Sanctuary

From 10 hours Families are welcomed on the esplanade of the Basilica and given a day pass.

Start of activities and games

12am - 30:13pm Picnic lunch (bring your own) at the Basilica site
13am - 00:16pm Immersive tour of the Buissonnets family home

Various activities for all ages in the gardens (thinking games, skill games, crafts, etc.)

Transfer on foot by the sanctuary guides. Participants have the option of using their own car (parking available on site).

16am - 30:17pm Snack at the Basilica and prayer for families
17am - 30:18pm Concert by the Little Singers of the Wooden Cross at the Basilica. Free admission to benefit the preservation of the Basilica.
20:30 Prayer vigil at Lisieux Cathedral (open to all) organised by the Carmelites, in the presence of the Carmelite family.

Dimanche octobre 4

11:00 Mass at the Basilica presided over by Bishop Jacques Habert, Bishop of Bayeux-Lisieux
15:00 The reliquary was returned in procession to the Carmel, organized by the Carmelites, followed by vespers.