The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak hosted the opening of the tour. Located just outside Detroit, the basilica was founded in 1926 and named after St. Thérèse shortly after she was officially recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

Historic Shrine Hosts Revered Catholic Relics

Founded only one year after her 1925 canonization by Pope Pius XI, the Royal Oak parish has long been connected to the legacy of this young Carmelite nun. The basilica has become a prominent destination for those devoted to the saint known for her humble spirituality.

Visitors began gathering on September 30 to venerate the sacred relics with reverence. For many, the occasion held deep personal significance rooted in family traditions and personal devotion. "St. Thérèse means a lot to me and to my family," said Haifa Gabbara, who arrived early to ensure her place.

St. Thérèse, born Thérèse Martin in 1873 in Alençon, France, entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux as a teenager. She lived a cloistered life and died of tuberculosis at the age of 24 in 1897, but her influence grew dramatically after her death.

The Enduring Message of “The Little Way”

Her autobiography, "The Story of a Soul," introduced generations to her theology of simplicity and love, referred to as “the little way.” This approach emphasizes devotion through ordinary acts done with extraordinary love and humility rather than lofty accomplishments.

One frequently cited passage from her writings compares modern technology to spiritual growth, saying she needed a spiritual "lift" to reach heaven because she felt too small to climb on her own. She wrote, "To get there, I need not grow. On the contrary, I must remain little."

Another of her beloved reflections explains, “Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions ... but at the love with which we do them.” Such words have resonated deeply with Catholics around the world for over a century.

Faithful Gather in Anticipation and Joy

The excitement surrounding the relics’ arrival was palpable among clergy and laity alike. "It feels like Christmas morning that a wonderful gift from God is coming here to be with us," said Rev. John Bettin, rector of the basilica, describing the atmosphere among parishioners.

For some, the opportunity to be near the relics was deeply moving and prompted expressions of admiration for St. Thérèse’s spiritual path. “She is relatable. She teaches that sainthood is attainable, doing small things with great love,” said Nicole Scheier, reflecting on the power of her example.

The Catholic tradition of relics involves venerating physical remains or personal belongings of saints. Although these items are not worshiped, they are treated with great respect as tangible connections to lives of holiness and virtue.

A Tour Decades in the Making Returns

The last time St. Thérèse’s relics were brought to the United States was in 1999. That visit included a brief stop in Royal Oak, where tens of thousands arrived in a single day to pay their respects.

This new tour runs from October through December 2025 and includes stops in states such as California, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Texas, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. Each destination offers time for prayer, reflection, and public veneration.

The tour provides an opportunity for Catholics across the country to reconnect with one of the Church’s most beloved modern saints. Known formally as St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, she is also one of only four women in Church history to be named a Doctor of the Church.

St. Thérèse’s Global Impact Lives On

Thérèse’s influence extends beyond her small convent in Lisieux into the lives of millions. Among those drawn to her teachings was Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who took her namesake and integrated many of her spiritual ideas into her own mission to serve the poor.

Though her life was marked by hiddenness and simplicity, Thérèse’s message continues to shape modern Catholic thought. Her emphasis on humility amid ordinary life has enduring appeal in an age often defined by achievement and productivity.

The relics' journey across the U.S. is both a commemoration and an invitation — a reminder that faith, when lived through small acts of love, can have an enormous spiritual impact.