Relics of ‘Little Flower’ tour South Florida

By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -

Photography: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO | FC

CORAL GABLES | The relics of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, “The Little Flower,” arrived in South Florida as part of a national tour marking the 100th anniversary of her canonization and the Jubilee Holy Year. Her first-class relics visited various parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Miami from Dec. 2-8, 2025, with St. Theresa School and Church of the Little Flower in Coral Gables hosting them Dec. 2-4.

“The greatest gift that we could get for our 100th anniversary was the visit of our patroness,” said Father Manny Alvarez, pastor of the Church of the Little Flower.

Students, teachers, staff, clergy, Carmelite Sisters and others welcomed the relics and processed them through the school. More than 900 children waited for them in the schoolyard.

“I have never heard three-year-olds to 14-year-olds so, so quiet. There was just this aura, and they were in awe,” said Father Alvarez.

After prayers and a blessing, the reliquary of St. Thérèse was escorted across the street to the church and placed on a table at the foot of the altar.

“So close to the tabernacle, it’s like she was kneeling and praying with us,” said Father Alvarez.

Knights of Columbus, members of Emmaus, and parish and ministry volunteers stood guard as hundreds of pilgrims came by for veneration. People prayed, touched the reliquary or created their own third-class relics by placing prayer cards, rosaries or other objects on the first-class relic of St. Thérèse.

“It’s been a moment of joy for us,” said Daniel Jimenez, an Emmaus brother who volunteered.

A father of two young daughters, he said his wife bought children’s books to explain the life of St. Thérèse to them.

“St. Theresa is a great example because it was all in the small details. Saying things like ‘Hey, fix your room, pick up your toys,’ it’s a small thing, but it’s actually something that contributes to a bigger purpose,” he said.

Before the evening’s welcome Mass, Luciana Kube, a choir member at the church, visited the relics. She was in Spain recently and visited another well-known Carmelite, St. Teresa of Avila.

“To be here now with the French Teresa is very special,” Kube said.

At the Mass, the choir sang “Thérèse Canticle of Love” written by Carmelite Sister Marie Therese Sokol, and arranged for this occasion by Luis Cuza, music director of Church of the Little Flower.

More than 600 people attended the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Wenski and parish priests.

In his homily, Archbishop Wenski noted that it was a privilege for South Florida to host the relics of St. Thérèse for a second time in archdiocesan history. The first time occurred in Nov. 1999. Named a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997, the French Carmelite who died at age 24 in 1897 became one of the most beloved and influential saints of the 20th century.

“Here in South Florida, we have two ‘Little Flowers,’” said Archbishop Wenski, referring to the parishes in Coral Gables and in Hollywood.

He explained that St. Thérèse’s appeal endures because she offered a simple, profound path to holiness at a time when many were turning away from God and the faith.

“Her ‘little way’ teaches that sanctity is found not in heroic deeds but in doing small, ordinary acts with great love,” said Archbishop Wenski, referencing her autobiography, "The Story of a Soul."

He also clarified that veneration of the relics of St. Thérèse, or any saint, is not a form of worship. “It is a way to feel a connection to a real person who has lived a holy life,” said Archbishop Wenski.

COMING FROM NEAR AND FAR

Father Alvarez watched as hundreds, and eventually thousands of people visited the Church of the Little Flower to venerate St. Thérèse over three days.

Pilgrims arrived not only from South Florida but from Ave Maria, Tampa, and Lakeland; one family even flew in from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“It just shows the love that people have for St. Thérèse and the power of her intercession,” said Father Alvarez.

Among the pilgrims were Michael and Patti Ferrara, parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Port St. Lucie. A friend of Patti’s who lived in the Los Angeles, California, area—where the relics of St. Thérèse were hosted in October—told her that the relics were coming to Florida.

Michael shared that Patti introduced him to St. Thérèse. They are currently following “33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat,” a guide for Consecration to the Divine Mercy in the style of St. Thérèse written by Father Michael Gaitley. Their journey will conclude on this year’s Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Maria Iglesias, a receptionist at St. Theresa School, had the opportunity to encounter the relics of St. Thérèse during the school day.

“It was an overwhelming, emotional and beautiful experience,” she said.

Iglesias returned in the evening with her husband Juan, and their two children, Sophia, a junior at St. Brendan High in Miami, and Daniel, a senior at Christopher Columbus High in Miami.

“I thought it was such an honor because it’s something that we’re probably not going to experience again. We could bring things to get blessed, or we could sit and pray and have our intentions. We’re lucky enough that we get to pray every day, but this is so much more,” Sophia said.

 

PAYING IT FORWARD

When Alejandro Herrera messaged Father Alvarez about the relic tour of St. Thérèse, he didn’t expect to be asked to lead it.

“When Father Manny called me, I thought I was in trouble. It was to tell me I was in charge,” said Herrera, who serves in several parish ministries.

He has known Father Alvarez for 22 years and credits him for guiding his family’s faith life.

“We are extremely thankful in knowing that we were kind of chosen. When God calls, you answer ‘Here I am, Lord,’” he said.

Herrera’s gratitude is shaped by his family’s trials. His daughter Alexandra survived childhood cancer twice. Now 19, she sings at Mass and is “extremely healthy and in remission.”

“We’re only thankful to God, and that’s the reason why we’re here: We are paying it forward,” he said.

Herrera called the visit of the relics “a lifetime experience,” noting that “we won’t know when we’ll see her again.” Witnessing the piety and devotion of pilgrims, he said the visiting children were the ones to watch.

“You see some fly by. But when you see some that just really touch the relics, and they’re really praying, to me, that’s the next generation,” he said.

The event also brought back memories of his own conversion. He recalled asking God, “Don't let me lose my family,” on a difficult day years ago.

A few minutes later, his wife, Andria, told him that Alexandra wanted to go see Jesus with Dad. They headed to Mass, hoping he would find answers to his prayers. At the vestibule of the Church of the Little Flower, he found an Emmaus retreat application.

“And if you tell me that it’s not God, and not God’s plan, nobody can,” he said.

“That’s the reason why I’m giving back as much as I can. I can’t thank him enough for all the graces I have received.”

OTHER STOPS IN SOUTH FLORIDA

• In addition to the Church of the Little Flower and St. Theresa School in Coral Gables, the relics of St. Thérèse visited Archbishop Coleman Carroll High School in Miami, St. Augustine Parish in Coral Gables and Little Flower Parish in Hollywood.