About St Thérèse International Day
St Thérèse International Day is an annual, day-long Catholic event held at St Thérèse International Day is an annual, day-long Catholic event held at Knock Shrine in Ireland to celebrate St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the "Little Flower") and her "Little Way of Love". The 2026 event, scheduled for July 12th, features Mass, a relic veneration, workshops, and a procession.
Key Details about St. Thérèse International Day:
- Purpose: The day focuses on promoting St. Thérèse's simple spiritual doctrine, which emphasizes finding holiness through everyday acts of love.
- Key Activities: Events include the Veneration of the Martin Family Reliquary, Anointing of the Sick, concelebrated Mass in the Basilica, and a rosary procession.
- When: The event is typically held in July (e.g., July 14, 2024, and July 13, 2025).This year is July 12th
- Significance: It serves as a, gathering for devotees to pray for peace and follow the saint's example of childlike trust in God.
Our Journey
How Our Journey began
The Shrines of France Pilgrimages
Our journey truly began with the "Shrines of France" pilgrimages. Sheila, having visited Lourdes more than fifty times, had a deep desire to visit Nevers to see the body of Bérnadette. This longing set the foundation for what would become an annual pilgrimage in the mid-1990s.
Encounters with St Thérèse
During one of these pilgrimages, St Thérèse seemed to appear at every shrine we visited. In Rocamadour, for example, we entered a small room lined with rows of chairs. Under one of those chairs, we discovered a picture of St Thérèse with a candle burning in front of it. Despite Sheila's many visits to Lourdes—over fifty times—it was during this particular year that we found a hidden chapel dedicated to St Thérèse in the underground Basilica. These signs continued to present themselves in remarkable ways.
A Call to Lisieux
It became clear to us that St Thérèse was inviting us to spend more time in Lisieux. Our sign came unexpectedly at the Delgany Convent in County Wicklow, Ireland, where we saw a poster advertising an Irish pilgrimage to Lisieux. We felt compelled to book our places immediately.
Meeting the Knights of St Thérèse
This pilgrimage marked our first encounter with the late Pat Sweeney and the Knights of St Thérèse. We were deeply impressed by this group of men and soon found ourselves visiting Alençon.There, St Thérèse spent the first four years of her life, and it was also where her parents, Louis and Zélie, first met while crossing the bridge.
Becoming Knights
We could never have imagined that we would one day have the privilege of becoming Knights of St Thérèse. Not only did we join the ranks, but we also became the first two female Knights. Traveling around Ireland with the Relics, especially those from Lisieux, was beyond our wildest dreams. This opportunity was made possible thanks to Pat Sweeney, who chose us and fought hard for us to become the first Lady Knights.
Remembering Pat Sweeney
Pat was a true gentleman and a leader with an infectious love and devotion to St Thérèse. We were inspired by his passion and will always be grateful to him—words cannot fully express our appreciation. His untimely death in 2022 brought our travels to a standstill.
Seeking Guidance and New Beginnings
In search of direction, we turned to the late Bishop Brendan Comiskey, emeritus, who had led the national committee responsible for bringing "The Little Flower" to Ireland in 2001. We presented to him our idea for a St Thérèse International Day at Knock Shrine.
Formulating a Plan
Bishop Commiskey convened a meeting of the Knights in Avila. Following the example of St Patrick and the Shamrock, each leaf was assigned a mission:
- Leaf 1 – Continue with the Irish Pilgrimage to Lisieux
- Leaf 2 – Continue traveling around Ireland with the Relics
- Leaf 3 – Establish a St Thérèse International Day at Knock Shrine
Looking Ahead
Today, we are preparing for our third St Thérèse International Day, building on the inspiration and legacy of those who guided us along this remarkable journey.
"We believe Saint Thérèse's simple doctrine and her 'Little way of Love' is the guide and hope that every heart in the world needs now"
Sheila & Róisín
Support
Support the St. Thérèse International Day at Knock Shrine
Event Date: July 12th, 2026 Location: Knock Shrine, Ireland
Dear Friends and Devotees,
Sheila and Roisin here and we are working to bring a profound spiritual experience to Knock Shrine for the third year this summer: St. Thérèse International Day. Our mission is to provide a day of prayer, reflection, and veneration for all who hold the "Little Flower" close to their hearts.
Why We Need Your Help
To make this day truly special, we are arranging for the visit of sacred relics. However, an event of this scale comes with significant logistical requirements. Currently, this event is entirely self-funded through our personal finances, without any external grants or institutional funding.
Your generous donations will go directly toward two main critical areas:
- Secure International Transport: Ensuring the relics are transported with the utmost dignity, security, and specialized care across international borders.
- Volunteer Support: Providing modest accommodation and travel essentials for the dedicated team of volunteers who must accompany and safeguard the relics throughout their journey.
How You Can Contribute
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to ensuring this day is accessible to all pilgrims. Your support is not just a donation; it is a way to share in the "Little Way" of St. Thérèse.
"Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love." — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/Stthereseinternationalday
*Transparency Note*
-100% of donations go toward logistics; no administrative salaries are taken-
We thank you for your kindness and look forward to welcoming you to Knock on July 12th.
With gratitude,
Sheila O'Toole & Roisin O'Toole
St Thérèse of Lisieux
- Born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France, she was the youngest of nine children born to Louis and Zélie Martin, both of whom were later canonized as saints in 2015—the first married couple to be canonized together.
- She experienced profound grief early in life when her mother, Zélie, died of breast cancer in 1877 when Thérèse was only four years old, leading the family to relocate to Lisieux where they lived in the family home known as Les Buissonnets.
- At age 15, after overcoming significant obstacles—including a bold personal request to Pope Leo XIII during an 1887 audience in Rome—she entered the Discalced Carmelite convent in Lisieux on April 9, 1888, taking the religious name Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.
- Thérèse developed her famous "Little Way" of spiritual childhood, a path to holiness through small acts of love, trust in God, and offering everyday sacrifices rather than grand heroic deeds, making sanctity accessible to ordinary people.
- Despite never leaving her cloister or traveling as a missionary, she was declared the universal patroness of missions by Pope Pius XI in 1927 (alongside St. Francis Xavier), due to her intense prayer and spiritual correspondence supporting missionaries.
- She authored her renowned autobiography, Story of a Soul (originally titled Manuscripts), written under obedience, which became a worldwide bestseller after her death and helped spread her teachings globally.
- Thérèse suffered from tuberculosis for several years and died on September 30, 1897, at the age of 24 in Lisieux; her final words included "My God, I love You!" and she promised to "spend my heaven doing good on earth" by showering a "shower of roses" upon the world.
- She was beatified in 1923 and canonized remarkably quickly on May 17, 1925, by Pope Pius XI, becoming one of the most popular saints of the 20th century and drawing millions of pilgrims to the Basilica of St. Thérèse in Lisieux, the second-largest pilgrimage site in France after Lourdes.
- In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church—the youngest person ever so honored and one of only a few women—recognizing the profound maturity and depth of her spiritual insights despite her short life.
- Thérèse is also patron saint of Missions,florists, pilots, priests, the sick, and those suffering from various illnesses; her relics have toured the world since the 1990s, inspiring devotion far beyond Catholicism.
Saints Louis and Zélie Martin
- Louis Martin was born on August 22, 1823, in Bordeaux, France, into a military family, with his early life marked by frequent moves due to his father's service.
- Zélie Guérin (full name Marie-Azélie Guérin) was born on December 23, 1831, near Alençon, France, also into a military family; she described her childhood as difficult with little parental affection.
- Both Louis and Zélie independently aspired to religious life in their youth—Louis attempted to join the Augustinian Canons but was turned away for lacking Latin knowledge, while Zélie was rejected by a religious order due to health issues (respiratory problems and headaches).
- After these disappointments, Louis trained and worked as a watchmaker/jeweler, and Zélie became a highly skilled lace maker specializing in the famous Point d'Alençon technique, eventually running her own successful business.
- They met in Alençon in 1858 (accounts note a providential encounter on a bridge), fell in love quickly, and married just three months later on July 13, 1858 (civil ceremony on July 12), at the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Alençon; they initially lived in a celibate marriage for nearly a year.
- The couple had nine children between 1860 and 1873—seven daughters and two sons—but tragically lost four in infancy or early childhood (two boys and two girls); the five surviving daughters all entered religious life.
- Their youngest child, born January 2, 1873, was Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin (St. Thérèse of Lisieux), who later became a Carmelite nun and was canonized in 1925.
- Zélie managed her lace-making business while raising the family; Louis helped manage it after their marriage, and the family lived devoutly in Alençon, emphasizing faith, charity, and family life.
- Zélie suffered from breast cancer and died on August 28, 1877, at age 45 in Alençon, leaving Louis to raise their five young daughters alone.
- After Zélie's death, Louis moved the family to Lisieux in 1877 for better support from relatives; he later suffered serious health issues (including strokes leading to paralysis and mental decline), spent time in a sanitarium, and died on July 29, 1894, at age 70 near Évreux.
Louis and Zélie Martin were beatified as a couple in 2008 and canonized by Pope Francis on October 18, 2015—the first married couple canonized together in modern Church history (excluding martyrs)—with their feast day on July 12th.
Travel Information
Trains (Dublin Heuston)
On Sunday July 12th
Outbound
Dublin Heuston - Claremorris
8:00 Am - 10:50 Am
Return
16:23 - 19:11
or
18:26 -21:09
https://journeyplanner.irishrail.ie/
(Shuttle Buses are available from Claremorris to Knock and return)
Buses
https://www.expressway.ie/route/64/galway-to-derry
Expressway route 64 stops in Knock which would accomodate those travelling from Galway or Derry
https://www.buseireann.ie/routes-and-timetables/440
Bus Eireann route 440 stops in Knock which would accomodate travelling from Athlone or Westport
Driving/Parking
Driving/Parking
Parking at Knock Shrine is readily available for visitors, with designated areas for both cars and coaches located in the North Car Park. The facilities are designed to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims visiting the Basilica and grounds.There are also large car parks off the main grounds available.
Traveling from Abroad
Traveling from Abroad
Traveling from Abroad
https://www.irelandwestairport.com/
EDINBURGH LIVERPOOL EAST MIDLANDS LONDON STANSTED BIRMINGHAM LONDON LUTON LONDON LHR MANCHESTER Bristol Nottingham
Malaga Lanzarote Barcelona Palma De Mallorca Alicante Faro Tenerife Cologne-Bonn Milan
https://www.journeyplanner.transportforireland.ie/
Helpful information
