The event is over.

On the occasion of the birth and baptism of Thérèse on January 2 and 4, 1873, the Sainte-Thérèse and Louis & Zélie sanctuaries offer you a spiritual weekend to rediscover the grace of her baptism in the footsteps of Thérèse and the Martin family between Alençon and Lisieux. Under the presidency of Mgr Dominique Lebrun, Archbishop of Rouen.

The weekend is designed to live a complete pilgrimage experience. But it is quite possible to participate at certain times in particular:

  • On registration (lunch included, Lisieux-Alençon shuttle on request): Day in Alençon on Saturday.
    The shuttle bus between Lisieux and Alençon will leave at 9:00 am from the Basilica car park. You can also reach Alençon by your own means or directly the group on site at 10:30 am at Notre-Dame d'Alençon for pilgrims from Alençon. Please make this clear to our reservations team.
  • Free access :
    • The baptismal vigil on Saturday at 20 p.m. in the crypt of the Basilica of Lisieux
    • Bishop Lebrun's conference on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Bellière room at the Hermitage

In the programme :

Saturday 4 January 2025
  • 8:30 a.m. – Prayer of Lauds at the Martin Family Chapel (at the Basilica)
  • 9:00 a.m. – Departure by coach to Alençon
  • 10:30 a.m. – Welcome to Notre-Dame d’Alençon by Father Thierry Henault-Morel, rector of the Saints Louis & Zélie Sanctuary. Talk about the Martin family in Alençon.
  • 11:30 a.m. – Mass at the Notre-Dame Basilica where Louis and Zélie were married and where Thérèse was baptized – Prayer at the baptistery.
  • 13:00 p.m. – Lunch in Alençon
  • 14:00 p.m. – Visit of the emblematic places of the life of Thérèse and her family in Alençon: birthplace, meeting bridge, Louis Martin’s pavilion, etc.
  • 17:00 p.m. – Prayer at the chapel of Thérèse’s birthplace and return by coach to Lisieux
  • 19:00 p.m. – Dinner at the Hermitage
  • 20:30 p.m. – Baptismal vigil presided over by Mgr Lebrun. ⚠️ Following a delay by the group of pilgrims, the vigil has been postponed to 20:30 p.m. and will take place at the Notre-Dame du Sourire chapel at the Hermitage.
  • Night at the Hermitage
Sunday January 5, Feast of the Epiphany
  • 9:30 a.m. – Talk by Mgr Lebrun on Christian initiation at the Hermitage (Bellière room)
  • 11:00 a.m.: Epiphany Mass at the Basilica
  • 12:30 p.m.: Lunch at the Hermitage
  • 15:00 p.m.: Time of adoration “With the Magi, adoring Jesus” (in the crypt)
  • 15:45 p.m.: Vespers
  • 16:30 p.m.: Closing

Accommodation and catering at the Ermitage

Reservation on 02 31 48 55 00 or contact@therese-de-lisieux.com