‘I will spend my heaven doing good things on earth’

Archbishop Gomez celebrated a solemn Mass in honor of St. Thérèse at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. Concelebrants included, left, Father Cisneros of OLPH Church in San Antonio, and right, Father Luna, OCD, pastor, along with other Discalced Carmelite clergy. Linda Drum | For Today’s Catholic

A solemn Mass in honor of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face was celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower on Oct. 1. A reception was held after the liturgy in the parish hall.

Prior to the solemn Mass of the roses, on the previous day, Sept. 30, the transit (death of St. Thérèse) was observed with solemn vespers.

Two weeks later, on Oct. 15, the feast of St. Teresa of Jesus, founder of the Discalced Carmelite Order, was marked with a solemn vespers and Mass, and on Oct. 18, a liturgy was held on the first anniversary of the beatification of St. Thérèse’s parents.

Carmelite nuns from Lafayette, La., sent the basilica a first class relic of Blessed Zelie and Louis Martin, parents of St. Thérèse, for veneration at the end of Mass