Mary, Seat of Wisdom and Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the unborn, pray for us!
Early Monday morning I returned from a wonderful pilgrimage in France. A few friends and myself from school drove out early Wednesday last week to Paris, stayed there for 2 nights, and then to Lisieux for another 2 nights. It was quick, but amazing. I had been to Paris when I studied in Gaming in Spring 2008, but sadly missed being able to visit Lisieux, the home of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, who is also my confirmation saint and the patroness of the household I was a member of in college.
We also visited several other places, via a few side trips to and from Paris and Lisieux, such as Chartres, Reims, and Rouen. I didn't know too much about Saint Joan of Arc before this trip, sadly, but her life truly was fascinating. Saint Therese wished to be like Saint Joan of Arc and even wrote several plays about her life (and then starred in the title roles, naturally!). In Reims, we saw the Cathedral where the coronations were held for the king of France, including Charles VII, who was urged by Saint Joan to take the throne. In Rouen, we visited the tower where she was imprisoned and tortured and then prayed where she was martyred. She helped lead France to several important victories in the Hundred Year's War, all by the age of 19. It's just so beautiful to see the amazing things that happen when God calls someone and they simply say yes to His will.
Paris was beautiful. Highlights were seeing the Eiffel Towel sparkle at night, eating tasty macarons, pain au chocolat, crepes and onion soup (seriously. Just so good.), attending All Saints Day mass at Chappelle Rue du Bac (and buying Miraculous Medals in BULK!), and being welcomed to France by Saint Therese at Sacre Coeur. There was a relic of St. Therese at the front altar of the Basilica to commemorate 150 years from when she visited the herself. It felt like Saint Therese was meeting us on the way as we prepared to travel the rest of the way to her home. Can you believe it??
Lisieux was definitely my favorite part of the trip. We met up with the rest of our school trip, who traveled via bus. We visited the basilica, her childhood home, and most importantly, Carmel where she spent the last 9 years of her earthly life. I can't describe how wonderful it was to be where she lived and to pray in front of her tomb. I found out later that three of her older sisters who also were her Carmelite sisters are buried underneath her tomb. I also prayed in front of the tomb of her parents, Bds. Louis and Zelie Martin, which is located in the beautiful crypt of the Little Flower's Basilica. I pray that I can make it back some day in the not too distant future with my future husband and kids!
I was so disappointed that I never got to go to Lisieux when I was in Europe last. God truly answered my prayers to be able to some day visit Lisieux, and I'm pretty darn sure that Saint Therese helped make it possible this time. On my last day there, I got a another extra special sign that truly is praying for me and watching out for me from heaven. Blessed Zelie, Saint Therese's mother, was a super talented and successful lace maker. As soon as I started making plans to come to France, I started hoping and praying I'd be able to take a piece of Lisieux home with me for my wedding day. I didn't see any lace stores, which I was what I was hoping for, but I did actually find the most beautiful lace veil at a tiny wedding boutique right near Carmel and where we stayed (how perfect is that?) and made the plunge and bought it at the encouragement of a few lady friends. It's perfect and exactly what I wanted, but even more dear to me because of where it came from (and there's a hilarious story about the drama of the boutique owner who was less-than-thrilled by our visit and probably thought we were all 16 or something). God is truly good!
Pictures to come!
