The Little Flower, they call her. Here, at the National Shrine Museum of St. Therese, her legacy lives on. The museum is a testament to her life and devotion, a place where her story is not just read, but experienced.
Dedicated to St. Therese of Lisieux, known as the ‘Little Flower,’ the National Shrine Museum of St. Therese is a place of pilgrimage and reflection. It was first established in Chicago in 1923 as devotion to her grew. The shrine moved several times over the years, eventually finding its home on the 40-acre Carmelite campus in Darien, Illinois.
The museum holds the largest collection of St. Therese relics and memorabilia outside of Lisieux, France, her birthplace. You’ll find more than just relics though. Walking through the museum, you’ll encounter a life-size replica of her convent cell, with second-class relics. The centerpiece is a massive wooden carving of St. Therese’s life—the largest wood carving of a religious nature in the United States.
Imagine St. Therese’s life and work. You can almost hear her gentle voice, her fervent prayer. She believed in the ‘Little Way,’ doing small acts of charity and kindness. Her life was a testament to how even the smallest actions could have a profound impact on the world.
The National Shrine Museum of St. Therese is a place to connect with the Little Flower and her story. It is a sacred space, a place to honor her life and draw inspiration from her example. It’s a place to pray, to reflect, and to find peace. Come, find yourself in her story.