Faith in the Road – National Shrine of the Little Flower

National Shrine of the Little Flower located in Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit is a beautiful shrine honoring the Doctor of ‘the Little Way.’ The National Shrine of the Little Flower stands above the surrounding area with its tall tower, standing 104 feet, also known as Charity Crucifixion Tower, was completed in 1931, built of limestone to feature a  28-foot figure of Christ on the cross.

The church interior is built in a round with the altar in the center, surrounded by side chapels and altars/frescoes.

The 90 minute drive to attend the National Shrine of the Little Flower for Sunday Mass was well worth the trip (I prayed for St. Therese Lisieux’s intercession and guidance for each of you). Within an hour of leaving the Shrine, the roses arrived in answer – if you know, you know.

Going into Detroit or passing through this is a must visit. Minutes off I-75, it’s easy to find – just like the ‘Little Way.’ We hope to add more Detroit area sites in the coming months.

Into the side chapel of St. Therese of Lisieux.

St. Therese of Lisieux born Thérèse Martin in Alençon, France, on Jan. 2, 1873. On Pentecost in 1883, she was healed of a very serious illness through the intercession of Our Lady of Victories. This was a momentous moment in young Thérèse’s life. Thérèse entered the Carmel of Lisieux. She received the habit the following year and made her religious profession on Sept. 8, 1890, on the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In Carmel, she embraced the way of perfection outlined by the Foundress, Saint Teresa of Jesus, fulfilling with genuine fervour the various community responsibilities entrusted to her. Thérèse grew in sanctity, enlightened by the Word of God and inspired by the Gospel to place love at the center of everything. She discovered the little way of spiritual childhood and taught it to the novices entrusted to her care. Seized by the love of Christ, her only Spouse, she dove more deeply into the mystery of the Church and became increasingly aware of her apostolic and missionary vocation.

On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity in 1895, she offered herself to the merciful Love of God. At that time, she wrote her first autobiographical manuscript – ‘The Story of a Soul.’ ‘The Story of a Soul’ is a must read for all Catholics – it’s a very easy read.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux has become one of the most popular saints in the past 100 years, and whenever her name is brought up, so too is her “Little Way.” Her “Little Way” reminds us that anyone can become a saint, whether they are a garbage truck driver, a sales clerk at a retail store, or even a retired grandparent. All are called to holiness. What we must do is strive for holiness in our everyday lives and place our trust in God.

Make your Road of Faith to Heaven easy. Look in the ‘Little Way’ and start to live it today.