The Relics of St. Therese arrived at Arlington Carmel on the evening of Monday, November 29, 1999. What a joyful welcome we were able to give to St. Therese. There was a large crowd of people at the Monastery to greet her. The Reliquary was placed on a horse drawn carriage and driven ceremoniously down Mt. Carmel Drive to the front parking area of the Monastery. We sang songs and carried lighted candles. The Knights of Columbus formed an honor guard for us and the people lined the street and sang with us. The local television stations were here in force and carried the story on the nightly news. We had wonderful media coverage both preceding and during the visit of the Reliquary.
The Knights of Columbus and several members of our Community carried the Reliquary on a rolling bier to our chapel, which was beautifully decorated with roses and banners for the occasion. Bishop Patrick Ahern gave a brief greeting and prayer and blessed the Reliquary. Veneration of the Relics began right away, and the line of people was constant during the entire time St. Therese was with us.
During the night these 3 days the Nuns watched in vigil by turns every hour. This was a great privilege and special grace for each of us. It was so touching to see the devotion and faith of the thousands of people who came here to honor our dear St. Therese. It was estimated that 50,000 people came to Arlington to venerate the Relics during these days.
Veneration continued through the day on Tuesday, November 30th until about 1:30 PM when the Reliquary was prepared to be taken to the Arlington Convention Center. There was special music and readings from the writings of St. Therese as the people came up to touch the Reliquary and pray for a short moment. There were so many people that the visits had to be brief, but everyone was quiet and peaceful... There was a patient reverence and courtesy shown which was a testimony to the atmosphere of holiness and charity radiating from the Reliquary and inviting all the friends of St. Therese to come close and be heard. The Mass began at 7:00 PM. The three Bishops of North Texas, Bishop Joseph P. Delaney, Fort Worth Diocese, Bishop Charles V. Grahmann, Dallas Diocese, and Bishop Edmond Carmody, Tyler Diocese, concelebrated the Mass along with Bishop Patrick Ahern, auxiliary Bishop of New York, homilist, and about 100 priests. About 9,000 people came to the Convention Center to venerate the Relics and attend the Mass. There were special Banners hung in the Convention Center made by our Community for the occasion. They depicted the life of St. Therese in pictures. After the Mass was over the Reliquary was moved to the Grand Hall in the Convention Center to accomodate the large crowd of people who had not yet been able to venerate the Relics. People of every age group, nationality, and profession were there. It was like a miracle of unity among so many. At around 11:00 PM we returned home to the monastery with the Relics in another police escorted procession of cars. Almost as soon as the Relics were placed back in our chapel people were there to begin veneration again.
Wednesday was another beautiful and unforgettable day of people in a continuous line coming up to the Relics and saying a brief prayer, touching the Reliquary and entrusting their prayer intentions to our dear Saint. The Serra Club had an hour of prayer for vocations and many school children came from various schools in the area to learn about St. Therese and venerate her Relics. The days flew by quickly and our volunteer workers did a wonderful job helping to keep things organized and running smoothly. Many people were able to visit our Gift Shop and purchase a memento of the occasion made by the Nuns to honor St. Therese.
Thursday, December 2nd, was the final day of the visit. It began with Mass at 7:30 AM, Bishop Ahern celebrating. There was a large crowd of people present for the Mass and closing ceremony. We prayed and sang songs of farewell to St. Therese and then processed out of the Chapel to the parking area where the Knights of Columbus loaded the Reliquary into a waiting "Therese Mobile" van. A crowd of people lined the sidewalk and said goodbye to St. Therese. We waved to her with smiles and tears as the van drove off down Mt. Carmel Drive. We know that though her Relics are gone St. Therese is still with us.
