The Little Flower has returned to Western Sydney, almost twenty years after her last appearance. And she has brought her parents along too.
On Wednesday 4 March, the faithful of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains were given the opportunity to venerate the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as ‘The Little Flower of Jesus’ in their own backyard.
For the first time in 18 years, the relics of St Thérèse are visiting Australia from France on a four-month pilgrimage with her parents Saints Louis and Zélie Martin.
View images from the visit of the relics to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish here or below.
The relics were hosted at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville, having visited various parishes across the Archdiocese of Sydney, central-western and northern NSW and Queensland.
Devotees venerate the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux and her parents Sts Louis and Zelie Martin at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
“It’s a real honour to be here with the relics of St Thérèse and her parents as well,” parishioner Eric Dias told Catholic Outlook.
“The return of the relics [to Wentworthville] is bringing that spirituality to a lot of people. I’ve seen a lot of young people wanting to connect with St Thérèse, so I think that’s an important factor that will hopefully touch those young people that are coming to our church.”
Devotees young and old from far and wide venerated and prayed at the relics throughout the afternoon, bringing with them flowers and devotions.
A devotee venerate the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux and her parents Sts Louis and Zelie Martin at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, celebrated Mass in the evening with parish priest Fr Denis Andrew OCarm, associate pastor Fr Martinho Da Costa OCarm and Fr Anthony Scierri OCarm.
During his homily, Bishop Vincent praised the examples of ‘ordinary’ sainthood in St Thérèse and her parents and encouraged the faithful to always carry the gift of faith that the saints exemplified.
“St Thérèse herself was a Carmelite, so it is only fitting that she should come and visit her brothers under whose pastoral care this parish has been entrusted,” Bishop Vincent said.
“I know that the parishioners here and her devotees are very thrilled to have the relics visit the Diocese so that they can pray with their favourite saints in a very tangible way.
“In our Catholic understanding, the relics remind us of the holiness of the saints and inspires us to follow their example of a faith-filled life.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta during Mass during the veneration of the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux and her parents Sts Louis and Zelie Martin at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
“We give thanks to God for their [Thérèse, Louis and Zélie] lives of faith, hope and love. They taught us that Christian sanctity is possible no matter what our walk of live, our station of live is and what circumstances we find ourselves.
“Sainthood consists not so much in doing extraordinary things, but living ordinary lives with extraordinary spirit.
“As we gather in veneration of these saints, we pray to have the courage to respond to God’s call to our Christian discipleship. We always carry with us the gift of faith that Thérèse and her parents Zélie and Louis exemplify for us.
“Let us pray that our lives may be firmly grounded in faith which will enable us to discern God’s purpose for us, as Thérèse was able to discern God’s purpose for her.
“May we ever remain vigilant and focussed in accomplishing God’s will in all things, because of all things, and even in spite of all things,” Bishop Vincent said.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta venerates the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux and her parents Sts Louis and Zelie Martin at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Wentworthville. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
Following Mass, the relics were processed out of the church, where they would be kept for an overnight vigil at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
Parishioner Norman Norton explained, “I came and visited the relics when they were first here. It was a great occasion. It brought a lot of people together.
“It’s terrific that they have returned. I’ve been sitting in the church for most of the day and seeing the younger people coming through and venerating the relics, it’s terrific to see.
“I say a prayer to St Thérèse every night, asking her to intervene on a few of my friends who are sick. And I also said a prayer to St Thérèse for her parents when they became saints, and now it’s a family affair up there.”
View images from the visit of the relics to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish here or below.
