Faith and Hope San Antonio
At the end of October, the Little Flower returns to San Antonio.
From October 31st through November 4th, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower will open its doors and welcome the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, whose humble faith and “Little Way” have touched millions across the world. It has been more than two decades since her relics last visited San Antonio in 1999, when more than 75,000 faithful and pilgrims came to venerate and reflect on the life of Thérèse.
St. Thérèse is called the “Little Flower of Jesus” because of her simple yet profound spirituality, a way of living she named the “Little Way.” She believed holiness is not achieved through great deeds or grand gestures but through small acts of love done faithfully and with trust in God. Her short life—she entered the Carmelite convent at 15 and died at just 24—became a testimony that greatness in faith does not come from worldly recognition, but from humility, kindness, and seeing the sacred in the ordinary.
Her words still echo with clarity and relevance today: “What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.” That is the heart of her Little Way—a spirituality that transcends denominations, cultures, and generations. It is not confined to the Catholic faith alone. Anyone, from any walk of life, can recognize the wisdom in living each day with compassion, patience, and intentional love.
When the relics of St. Thérèse return to San Antonio, they bring with them an invitation: to pause, reflect, and rediscover what it means to live with simplicity and hope. The Little Flower Basilica will not just be a place of devotion during these days, but a sanctuary for renewal. Pilgrims will come to pray, families will bring children to learn her story, and people who may not have stepped inside a church in years may find themselves drawn by her quiet example. This is a moment for anyone, at any phase of their personal faith journey, to reconnect and be present with St. Thérèse.
There is something deeply moving about a city gathering around such a visit. In a world that often feels consumed by conflict, division, and noise, St. Thérèse reminds us that peace begins in the heart. Her relics are not relics of history, but of living faith—a reminder that holiness can bloom in the smallest gestures: a flower, a smile, a kind word, or a moment of patience with a stranger.
The last time her relics came to San Antonio, the Basilica was filled day and night with people of every background. Some sought healing. Others came out of curiosity. Many left transformed. The impact was not just spiritual; it created a ripple effect of unity, bringing people together in a shared hope for something greater than themselves.
This October, that opportunity comes again. Whether you are Catholic, of another faith, or simply searching, the visit of St. Thérèse’s relics offers a moment of grace for the entire city. Her Little Way is not about grand declarations but about learning to love in the everyday. It is about choosing joy in the face of hardship, and hope in the face of uncertainty.
San Antonio has the privilege of welcoming the Little Flower once more. Let us open our hearts as widely as we open the doors of the Basilica. For in the quiet witness of St. Thérèse, we may find what we all need most: a reminder that even the smallest acts of love can change the world.
About Little Flower Basilica
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower, founded by the Discalced Carmelite Friars, is the first national shrine in the United States dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Built during the Great Depression, it stands today as a monument to faith, beauty, and devotion, serving the San Antonio community and welcoming visitors from around the world.