Restoration News

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower has come to serve as a major center of Catholic apostolic activity. The work of the local and regional artisans who graced the Shrine with Carmelite stories told in glass, metal, wood, marble, and oils continues to impact thousands of visitors every year. The Basilica’s historic and cultural significance as the National Shrine of St. Thérèse of Lisieux can be seen in the Shrine’s exquisite spiritual beauty, where the altars, statuary, and artistic representations of roses and crests of the Discalced Carmelite Order combine to serve as a unique St. Thérèse Pilgrimage Destination and locus for the instruction of the Carmelite charism. Proper planning for the future will make certain that these gifts can continue to be shared and taught nationally and, ideally, internationally.

Historic Preservation Master Plan

In 2022, we announced the completion of a Historic Preservation Masterplan for the Basilica Campus along with a 30% Schematic Design Package. The Masterplanning & Programming Process included representation from the Carmelite Friars, staff, parishioners and consultants. The Historical Preservation Masterplan covers the Basilica’s greater two block Campus, focusing on these key aspects:

• Stabilization of the Basilica Shrine and Monastery buildings

• Facility programming for the current and future needs of buildings and grounds for Basilica Programs and Administration and Province offices

• Community needs of the friars, with attention to aging friars and future vocations

• Maintenance and sustainability

• How the basilica buildings and grounds serve the mission of the Carmelites and the San Antonio community overall

Master Plan Development with Expert Support

With the complexities of a project of this magnitude, it was imperative to partner with historical preservation expert consultants and volunteers. For the past several years, we have worked with our Building Committee made up of expert members in the fields of engineering, construction, architecture and historic project management and our consultant team led by Project of Control of Texas with design, masterplanning and construction management organized by the architect team of TBA|Douglas.

As part of our masterplanning and programming process, we completed many necessary studies including various engineering studies, a capital campaign feasibility study and an economic impact study laying a strong foundation for our impending and much awaited capital campaign and for the successful restoration of our historic Little Flower Basilica. This comprehensive approach has led to a successful review of our Masterplan from the Texas Historic Commission. More recently and after much review, we received approval from the General Curia of the Teresian Carmel, the international head of the Discalced Carmelite Order. All these have been necessary steps to proceed with this significant project.

Scope of Work

The Restoration and Preservation of the Basilica Campus necessitates water drainage at grade & subgrade levels. The addition of this drainage will provide much needed stabilization of the Basilica Shrine and the buildings of the Little Flower Monastery. The Preliminary Scope of Work includes increasing the Safety & Security of the Basilica Campus, with focus on the Adoration Chapel Entry Way, along with the addition of an elevator to improve accessibility to the south side of the Basilica and Monastery buildings.

But the Basilica buildings and grounds must serve the mission of the Discalced Carmelite Friars as well as the San Antonio community in which it resides. Planned improvements to the Little Flower Monastery will assist the Friars in living all aspects of their vocation. With these improvements the Friars will be able to continue in their Community Life, with accommodations for aging friars.

Phase 1A Addresses:

• Stabilization and renewed beautification of the Little Flower Basilica and Monastery buildings;

• Re-imagining of the St. Elias Adoration Chapel that illuminates the Carmelite charism and generously shares the mission of the Carmelite order with the broader community;

• Community needs of the friars, with priority attention given to our aging friars and the vitality of future vocations.