CWL visits National Shrine of St. Thérèse of Lisieux June 11
The National Shrine and Museum of Saint Thérèse in Darien, Illinois celebrates the accessible spirituality of this Doctor of the Church whose only advanced degree was in love of God. Provided photo
DARIEN — On Tuesday, June 11, 2024 the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of Peoria hosted a bus trip to the National Shrine and Museum of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux in Darien, Illinois.
if looking for a ‘spiritual re-set,’ the National Shrine and Museum of Saint Thérèse is a wonderful option.” — Melanie Picl, vice president, Peoria CWL
Saint Thérèse, best known as the “Little Flower” and for her “Little Way” of promoting practical sanctity, believed all are capable of exhibiting God’s love in ways big and small every day.
DIOCESE WELL-REPRESENTED
Twenty-four women and three men took part in the pilgrimage from parishes throughout the diocese.
At the National Shrine Museum is a massive wood carving telling the “Story of a Soul” (the title of Saint Thérèse’s spiritual autobiography) by portraying scenes from her life. It is the largest religious wood carving in the United States. Provided photo
The day trip included a museum tour, Mass, lunch, a short movie, and free time to stroll the outdoor stations of the cross and gardens. As Melanie Picl, Peoria CWL vice president, told The Catholic Post: “The cicadas were in full hatch and made for an interesting walk.”
But she stressed that cicada season or not, “if looking for a ‘spiritual re-set,’ the National Shrine and Museum of Saint Thérèse is a wonderful option.”
About a two-and-a-half hours from Peoria, the shrine and museum are open daily Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sunday).
Daily Mass is Monday to Friday at 11:30 a.m. For group tours and lunch call ahead for reservations at 1–800–621–2806. For more information visit the website of The Society of the Little Flower at littleflower.org
