The Feasts of Saint Thérèse and Saints Louis and Zélie

Feasts of Saint Teresa

From the center of Normandy, Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face attracts Lisieux a crowd of pilgrims to follow the path of holiness in the small acts which punctuate everyday life. It was after the Liberation, at the end of September 1944, that to welcome the return to a "normal" life, the Teresian festivals were instituted, which today continue to be an unmissable event every year for pilgrims from the whole world. In a city devastated by the bombardments, the date of the death of Saint Thérèse, September 30, 1897, will be chosen in reference to what Thérèse wrote about death: “No, I'm not dying, I'm coming into life! "

Since the opening of the holidays is always the weekend before September 30. On the program each year: torchlight processions in the city of Lisieux, conferences, unusual visits, evenings, concerts, etc.

Feasts of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin

The Church, by registering the blessed Louis and Zélie Martin in the Book of Saints, establishes that they are honored with piety and devotion among the Saints in the universal Church. After praying to Thérèse, many pilgrims turn to her holy parents to present their experience to the Lord. To meditate in front of their holy relics, the Martins' hunt (where their bodies are kept) is at the Lower Basilica. The Liturgical Feast of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin remains fixed for July 12, the anniversary date of their civil marriage at 22 p.m., July 12, 1858, and of their religious marriage two hours later (at midnight). Their solemn Feast celebrated in the places of their earthly life in Alençon and Lisieux, allows you to get to know them better through the celebrations with the Liturgy specific to Saints Louis and Zélie Martin and also thanks to the visits and conferences given for the occasion.

Each year for a week, many pilgrims come to participate in activities for families, guided tours, conferences, films, torchlight processions, masses, puppet shows for children, vespers and evenings that allow them to better understand the life of the Saints Louis and Zelie Martin and to confide in their intercession.