Restoration of San Antonio’s Basilica: Winter 2020
Chanting the Flos Carmeli, the Discalced Carmelite Fathers of the Province of St. Thérèse closed their XXXI Provincial Chapter meeting encouraged by the newly-elected Provincial, Fr. Luis Castañeda, OCD, “to take the best from the past and to build and live our present and future with creativity.”
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the friars began their new assignments and Little Flower Basilica welcomed a new pastor and rector, Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD (see New Assignments, p.12). As the friars settled into their new communities and roles, the first priority was to provide a safe environment for worship and bringing liturgy and spirituality programs to the faithful in the Basilica and at home. Sharing the Spirituality of Carmel is foundational to the ultimate restoration and preservation of the historic Basilica shrine.
After completing several major repairs and renovations to the Basilica, including the 2000 exterior rehabilitation and roof replacement and the 2006 Basilica Undercroft and St. Elias Chapel renovation project, the Carmelite Fathers entered a mission-driven reorganization in response to the needs of our times and the declining numbers of religious vocations. To assist the Province in carrying out its mission, the friars established a central administration office led by Executive Director, Susana Cantu. The new collaborative effort between the friars, the administrative team, the Secular Order Discalced Carmelites, and Little Flower Parishioners enhanced the functioning of the shrine and its purpose as a robust center of the Carmelite charism for the Archdiocese of San Antonio and the greater region with the initiation of the Basilica’s Carmelite Spirituality and Evangelism Programs.
Operating under this collaborative management model, the Carmelite Fathers were better equipped to advance their mission and continue their restoration efforts despite the small number of friars and limited resources. Being awarded various grants1 for planning and with the growing support of Basilica donors, the friars have accomplished the following:
Conducted a Property Condition Assessment:
Focused on site, structural, building envelope, and geotechnical aspects regarding the three primary campus buildings (the Basilica, the Monastery, and the College) and the surrounding site boundary, the assessment was completed by Raba Kistner, Inc.
Repaired and Renovated Little Flower Convent:
In anticipation of being displaced during the renovation and restoration period of the monastery, major improvements were made to the Little Flower Convent next to the school including: full roof replacement, kitchen renovation, chapel repairs, and hvac replacement.
Completed Assessment Review:
The Little Flower Building Committee, a volunteer committee of engineers, architects and general contractors, studied and reviewed the assessment and made the following observations and recommendations:
Defined Preliminary Project Phases:
Phase I: Water Intrusion Mitigation
Phase II: Structural Repairs
Phase III: Restoration and Historical Preservation
Defined Pre-design Activities:
Activity 1: Complete engineering design for Phase I
Activity 2: Concurrently, develop Masterplan for Phase II and III
Engaged Project Management Consultant:
This year, considering the magnitude of the project, the various professionals that we will need to work with to complete the project and the need to provide continuity in project management and oversight, the friars engaged the services of Project Control of Texas, Inc., a project management consultant.
Selected Architecture Firm:
Most recently, the Carmelite Fathers selected Douglas Architects to complete the engineering design of Phase I and to develop a Historical Preservation Masterplan which addresses known water intrusion issues, structural repairs and historical restoration and preservation of the Basilica. Douglas Architects has assembled a team of architects, engineers, historical preservation experts, and fundraising professionals to take the next steps for restoring and preserving the Basilica of the Little Flower.
A little over a year ago, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the blessing of the cornerstone for this most sacred place. The Cornerstone for the Future celebration gave us a moment to reflect and consider our own commitment to preserving the legacy of faith built by the generations before us. These next steps may prove more difficult in these uncertain times. However, just as countless devotees of St. Thérèse laid the cornerstone for her shrine in the midst of the Great Depression, we hope in the Lord that devotees today will be the cornerstone for the future.
Little Flower Basilica is thankful to the support of the many individual donors and the following grantors and sponsors of our Basilica programs and restoration efforts: Bexar County General Fund, Cato & Cato, HEB, Kenedy Foundation, Koch Foundation, Martinez-Rodriguez Law Firm, P-21 Foundation, Scanlon Foundation, Strake Foundation, Stuart-Griffin-Perlitz Foundation, Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation and Westerman Foundation.