A little history of Sainte-Therese basilica in Lisieux
And also
The tops
The basilica |
Scryb / CC-BY-SA
With Lourdes, the basilica of Lisieux is the most important place of pilgrimage in France!
Young Thérèse Martin passed away in Lisieux Carmel in 1897: she was 24 years-old.
Just before her death, she wrote an autobiography (Histoire d'une Ame, "Story of a Soul"); it was published and it was a real best-seller! The young woman was immediately beatified and canonized.
Her grave became a very important place of pilgrimage. So they decided to raise a New-Byzantine basilica in 1923.
Building works were only finished in 1974, but pope Pius XII dedicated it several years before.
The inner decoration was completed by Jean and Pierre Gaudin (stained-glass windows and mosaic) but also Robert Coin (sculptures).