APOSTOLATE of the

LITTLE FLOWER

Vol. 85 No. 1 Spring 2017

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EDITOR

Fr. Luis Gerardo Belmonte-Luna, O.C.D.

CO-EDITOR

Cheyenne Raine Cisneros

PUBLISHER

Basilica of the National Shrine of

the Little Flower

ADMINISTRATOR

Gloria Acosta

PICTURES

Carlos Ramirez

Apostolate of the Little Flower ISSN (1049-

9520) is published quarterly by the Discalced

Carmelites of the Province of Saint Thérèse, lo-

cated at 906 Kentucky Ave, San Antonio, Texas,

78201.

Business and Editorial Offices:

824 Kentucky Ave

San Antonio, Texas, 78201.

Accounting and Circulation Offices:

Discalced Carmelites of the Province of St. Thérèse

906 Kentucky Ave

San Antonio, Texas, 78201.

Apostolate of the Little Flower is a non-profit

Publication whose purpose is to spread devotion to

Saint Thérèse and to assist the Discalced Carmelite

Friars in their various ministries. Call (210) 735-

9126 to subscribe.

Postmaster:

Send address changes to

P.O. Box 5280

San Antonio, Texas 78201

All writers , consultants, and staff contribute to

this magazine on a volunteer basis and receive no

remuneration for their services except for the

editor. Free-lance articles are accepted in accord

with this genre of publication. Unsigned articles

are attributable to the editor.

All photographs of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

and Holy Face, OCD are used with the permis-

sion of the Office Central, Lisieux, France.

SPIRITUALITY of

ST. THÉRÈSE and the CARMELITES

— St. Teresa of Avila and the Spirituality of Lent

— The Killer and the Saint: Pranzini and Thérèse

— Lent: An invitation to a Deeper Experience of

Merciful Love, and an Opportunity to Share it

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6

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ILLUMINATING the BASILICA

— Our Little Flower Basilica Celebrates the 18th

Anniversary of its Dedication

— Lumen Gentiumm Award 2017 and

Lenten Retreat/ Retiro Cuaresmal

— Holy Week Schedule

— 2017 Musical Shower of Roses

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PROVINCE of ST. THÉRÈSE

— + Fr. John Michael Payne of the Child Jesus

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CONTENTS:

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From the Desk of the Editor

Dearest readers of the Little Flower Magazine,

Praise be Jesus Christ!

On behalf of the Carmelite Community here in San Antonio, our Little

Flower Magazine collaborators, it is a great pleasure to be with you once

again through this publication.

In this issue, we look to our Carmelite saints for inspiration in our Lenten practices. St. Teresa of

Jesus, as set forth in an article on page 4 by Ezequiel Machado, OCDS, describes the foundations

for a life of prayer: love, detachment and true humility. In an article by Fr. Emmanuel Nnadozie,

OCD, on page 8, we look at some of the ways St. Thérèse, The Little Flower, teaches us about

God’s merciful love as a father. On page 6, you can read the account of St. Thérèse’s prayers for

a triple murderer, whom she called her “first child.”

Every year is a blessing and opportunity for us to continue sharing with you what is happening in

our Basilica and the apostolate we offer throughout the variety of ministries. The Lord has been

so good to us and we give thanks for your constant support. The devotion of our beloved St. Thé-

rèse made possible the construction of this beautiful building; the celebration of its 18th anni-

versary of dedication as a Minor Basilica is a precious gift for the Carmelites of the Province of

St. Thérèse, and for our parishioners and visitors.

May the Lord bless all of you and give us wisdom and love as we continue our mission in the

Church through the Teresian Charisma.

Fraternally with my love and blessing,

Rev. Fr. Luis Gerardo Belmonte-Luna, O.C.D.

Editor

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SPIRITUALITY of

ST. THÉRÈSE and the CARMELITES

ST. TERESA OF AVILA AND THE SPIRITUALITY OF LENT By Ezequiel Machado

Lent is the penitential season in the Church’s liturgical year; it begins

with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal

Mystery (Easter Triduum). During Lent, the Church reflects the forty

days that Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer (CCC 540,

1095, 1438).

The Gospel of Mathew is traditionally proclaimed on Ash Wednes-

day; the penitential tone is set when Chapter 6 is read to remind us

what is the proper way and the right disposition to give alms, to pray and to fast – the way Je-

sus Christ did and taught:

1 “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you

will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 Thus, when you give alms,

sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,

that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3

But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4

so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and

pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I

say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and

shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in se-

cret will reward you.

[7 And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that

they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows

what you need before you ask him.

9 Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy king-

dom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily

bread; 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; 13 and lead us

not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. 14 for if you forgive men their trespasses,

your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their tres-

passes, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.]

16 And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their

faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their

reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting

may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees

in secret will reward you.” (Mt 6, 1-16)

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At the beginning of her reform of the Carmelites, St Teresa of Jesus was asked by the nuns of

her first foundation – the monastery St Joseph in Avila – to teach them how to pray. In her re-

sponse, she chose the spirit of Lent as her guide; she chose the Gospel of Mathew Chapter 6.

Her answer to the cloistered nun’s request was The Way of Perfection her first didactic book. In

it, she presents her meditations on the Our Father, the prayer of the Lord – the centerpiece of

chapter 6 of the Gospel of Mathew.

At the beginning of her book (Ch. 4) St Teresa lays out the proper foundations for a life of

prayer:

“I shall enlarge on only three things, which are from our constitutions, for it is very important

that we understand how much these three things help us to possess inwardly and outwardly the

peace our Lord recommended so highly to us.

“The first of these is love of one another; the second is detachment from all created things; the

third is true humility, which even though I speak of it last, is the main practice and embraces all

others” (W4, 4).

St. Teresa’s connection to the spirituality of Lent is now clear: love of one another relates to

alms giving; detachment points to fasting; and, the essence of prayer is rooted in humility. This

is Teresa’s masterful insight to a life of prayer for her nuns and to all of us today.

Humility is a relational word that acknowledges that God is the creator and man is indeed the

creature. The virtue of humility shows that God is the author of all Good and humanity recog-

nizes their total dependence on God and on His goodness and mercy. In the words of the

Church, humility avoids inordinate ambition of pride, reveals a contrite heart, and provides the

foundation for turning to God in prayer (Cf. CCC 2559).

St. Teresa by highlighting humility solves the situation presented by Jesus in the Gospel of

Matthew: “Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them” (Mt 6,1);

piety to be seen by men is pride; and the antidote of pride is the virtue of humility, as Teresa

rightly points out.

Therefore, to obtain the inner and outward peace that the Lord promises, St. Teresa’s counsels,

for a fulfilling life of prayer, is to be centered in humility – for

it embraces fully both alms giving and fasting; in her words, it

embraces both love of neighbor and detachment of all things.

Thus, immersed in the virtue of humility, our prayer life will

flourish and the spirituality of Lent will always present in

your life.

Ezequiel L. Machado has been a member of the Discalced Carmelite Secular

Order (OCDS) for the past 27 years and holds a master’s degree in Theolog-

ical Studies (MTS) from Madonna University in 2015. Mr. Machado has been

a volunteer and Faith Formation teacher at the Basilica of the Little Flower

for the past 10 years.

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THE KILLER AND THE SAINT:

PRANZINI AND THÉRÈSE

From Chapter V of The Story of a Soul

In The Story of a Soul, the Carmelite nun St. Thérèse of Lisieux recounts the conversion story of

Henri Pranzini, a triple-murderer whom St. Thérèse feared would die impenitent. Calling Henri

her “mon premier enfant” (my first child), she “wanted at all costs to keep him from falling into

hell, and to succeed I employed all means imaginable, feeling that of myself I could do nothing. I

offered to God all the infinite merits of Our Lord.” After Henri’s execution in 1887, Thérèse

learned of his last moments:

“He turned, took hold of the crucifix the priest was holding out to him, and kissed the sacred

wounds three times! Then his soul went to receive the merciful sentence of Him who declares

that in heaven there will be more joy over one sinner who does penance than over ninety-nine

who have no need of repentance!

“One Sunday, closing my book at the end of Mass, a picture of Our Lord on the Cross half

slipped out, showing only one of His Divine Hands, pierced and bleeding. I felt an indescribable

thrill such as I had never felt before. My heart was torn with grief to see that Precious Blood fall-

ing to the ground, and no one caring to treasure It as It fell, and I resolved to remain continually

in spirit at the foot of the Cross, that I might receive the Divine Dew of Salvation and pour it

forth upon souls. From that day the cry of my dying Savior--"I thirst!"--sounded incessantly in

my heart, and kindled therein a burning zeal hitherto unknown to me. My one desire was to give

my Beloved to drink; I felt myself consumed with thirst for souls, and I longed at any cost to

snatch sinners from the everlasting flames of hell.

“In order still further to enkindle my ardor, Our Divine Master soon proved to me how pleasing

to him was my desire. Just then I heard much talk of a notorious criminal, Pranzini, who was

sentenced to death for several shocking murders, and, as he was quite impenitent, everyone

feared he would be eternally lost. How I longed to avert this irreparable calamity! In order to do

so I employed all the spiritual means I could think of, and, knowing that my own efforts were

unavailing, I offered for his pardon the infinite merits of Our Saviour and the treasures of Holy

Church.

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“Need I say that in the depths of my heart I

felt certain my request would be granted? But,

that I might gain courage to persevere in the

quest for souls, I said in all simplicity: "My

God, I am quite sure that Thou wilt pardon this

unhappy Pranzini. I should still think so if he

did not confess his sins or give any sign of sor-

row, because I have such confidence in Thy

unbounded Mercy; but this is my first sinner,

and therefore I beg for just one sign of repent-

ance to reassure me." My prayer was granted

to the letter.

My Father never allowed us to read the pa-

pers, but I did not think there was any disobe-

dience in looking at the part about Pranzini.

The day after his execution I hastily opened

the paper, La Croix, and what did I see? Tears

betrayed my emotion; I was obliged to run out

of the room. Pranzini had mounted the scaf-

fold without confessing or receiving absolu-

tion, and the executioners were already drag-

ging him towards the fatal block, when all at

once, apparently in answer to a sudden inspira-

tion, he turned round, seized the crucifix

which the Priest was offering to him, and

kissed Our Lord's Sacred Wounds three

times... I had obtained the sign I asked for, and

to me it was especially sweet.

“Was it not when I saw the Precious Blood

flowing from the Wounds of Jesus that the

thirst for souls first took possession of me? I

wished to give them to drink of the Blood of

the Immaculate Lamb that It might wash away

their stains, and the lips of "my first born" had

been pressed to these Divine Wounds. What a

wonderful answer!

“After receiving this grace my desire for the salvation of souls increased day by day. I seemed to

hear Our Lord whispering to me, as He did to the Samaritan woman: "Give me to drink!" [3] It

was indeed an exchange of love: upon souls I poured forth the Precious Blood of Jesus, and to

Jesus I offered these souls refreshed with the Dew of Calvary. In this way I thought to quench

His Thirst; but the more I gave Him to drink, so much the more did the thirst of my own poor

soul increase, and I accepted it as the most delightful recompense.”

“I heard talk of a great

criminal just condemned to

death for some horrible

crimes; everything pointed

to the fact that he would die

impenitent…. I felt in the

depths of my heart certain

that our desires would be

granted, but to obtain cour-

age to pray for sinners I

told God I was sure He

would pardon the poor, un-

fortunate Pranzini; that I’d

believe this even if he went

to his death without any

signs of repentance or with-

out having gone to confes-

sion. I was absolutely con-

fident in the mercy of Je-

sus. But I was begging Him

for a “sign” of repentance

only for my own simple

consolation.”

— St. Thérèse of Lisieux

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LENT: AN INVITATION TO A DEEPER EXPERIENCE

OF MERCIFUL LOVE, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO

SHARE IT

By Fr. Emmanuel Nnadozie, OCD

The Holy Season of Lent is offered to us as a spring time of God’s

grace and as a season to renew ourselves in the experience of God’s

merciful love – given in the form of prevenient grace and in the form

of pardon and forgiveness. It is a time to experience and receive God’s

compassion and merciful love, and a season to share this love with others. It is eminently a time

to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the solemn feast of the Lord’s resurrection – the feast

of Easter.

In the Season of Lent, the Sacred Liturgy puts before us certain important spiritual themes for

our meditation: temptation and trials, failure and grace, repentance and conversion, fasting and

discipline, penance and prayer, almsgiving; mercy and compassion, renewal, adoption, and re-

generation. But the greatest of these themes presented to us is perhaps the theme of the merciful

love of our Heavenly Father, which encompasses the Paschal Mystery of Christ, (the themes of

pain and suffering, and the passion, death, and the Resurrection of Christ) with which we con-

clude the Holy Season of Lent. It is a theme that ties all the other themes together as sub-plots in

the one big design of our redemption and salvation in Christ.

WHAT IS MERCIFUL LOVE?

First, Merciful Love is not a thing—He is a Person! Merciful Love is the great love that God, our

Heavenly Father, bears us. Secondly, to fully understand God’s merciful love, we need to under-

stand our relationship to Him as our Father. Lent offers us the opportunity to delve more deeply

and intimately into the mystery of the Fatherhood of God, and our own filial adoption. We are

not just admirers of a distant but generous God. We are not slave-worshippers of a just and unre-

lenting God; we are called to be the sons and daughters of a merciful Father, who has loved us so

much with such tender love as to be willing to pay the ultimate price for our redemption through

the death of His Son, so that we would have new life in Christ. Familiar images and symbols

convey to us the richness embedded in this concept of merciful love.

IMAGES OF THE GOD AS MERCIFUL FATHER

Ash Wednesday calls us to an awareness of the presence of our Heavenly Father in all we do.

The Lenten liturgy reminds us that we have a Heavenly Father who is not only aware of what is

going on in our lives (including our prayers, penance, and almsgiving), but he is really interested

in our lives and cares for us even when we rebel against him, as in the Gospel of the 4th Sunday

of Lent. The whole point in the story of the Prodigal Son is the large-heartedness of the Father.

He shows mercy and compassion when we have repented of our sins and failures (the theme of

repentance and conversion), and even declares a feast when we come back to him (the theme of

grace).

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The image we get from the story of the Prodigal Son is not one of what is happening between

strangers. It is the image of a family relationship: of what is happening between father and son.

Here, we get a picture of the father accepting back his repentant son (the theme of re-adoption

and regeneration). It is an image filled with intimacy, tenderness, compassion, nurturing and fa-

thering!

These images relate to the characteristic good qualities of a parent. God, like a good parent, is

committed to caring for us, no matter what it takes, only that he is even more tender in his care

than the most tender of mothers! “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no com-

passion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Is. 49:15). In

this passage, Yahweh God assures his people of His constant, unchangeable, and tender remem-

brance, and care of them. The passage is made even more eloquent in speaking about the unsur-

passable love of God for his people when it shows that although earthly parents may at times be

unmindful of their children, God’s “eyes” and “heart” are constantly watching over his people.

In fact, they are carved in the very palms of his hands! (cf. Is. 49:16). Our sense of being adults,

at times, prevents us from fully realizing, and whole-heartedly entering this parent-child relation-

ship with God.

ST. THÉRÈSE ILLUSTRATES GOD’S FATHERHOOD

St. Thérèse’s understanding of God shows an appreciation of Him as a Father, who has a heart

full of love, mercy, and compassion.

“Let us suppose that the son of a very clever doctor, stumbling over a stone on the road, falls

and breaks his leg. His father hastens to him, lifts him lovingly, and binds up the fractured limb,

putting forth all his skill. The son, when cured, displays the utmost gratitude, and he has excel-

lent reason for doing so.”

In this illustration given by Thérèse, we have a case of a post factum merciful love and care of

the father who after the son had been wounded comes lovingly with a remedy. The father’s com-

passion is discovered after the fall had taken place. It comes from behind the event of the col-

lapse. Thérèsealso talks about God’s mercy from an a priori perspective—a merciful love ex-

perienced in advance of any actual fall or brokenness.

“But let us take another supposition. The father, aware that a dangerous stone lies in his son's

path, is before-hand with the danger and removes it, unseen by anyone. The son, thus tenderly

cared for, not knowing of the mishap from which his father's hand has saved him, naturally will

not show him any gratitude, and will love him less than if he had cured him of a grievous wound.

But suppose he heard the whole truth, would he not in that case love him still more? Well now, I

am this child, the object of the foreseeing love of a Father ‘Who did not send His son to call the

just, but sinners.’ He wishes me to love Him, because He has forgiven me, not much, but every-

thing. Without waiting for me to love Him much, as St. Mary Magdalen did, He has made me un-

derstand how He has loved me with an ineffable love and forethought, so that now my love may

know no bounds” (Story of a Soul, Chap IV)

God precedes her and with a foreseeing merciful love that takes care of everything beforehand.

“Your love has gone before me since I was a child. It has grown with my growth,” she declares.

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JESUS IS THE LIFE-IMAGE OF THE MERCIFUL FATHER

In the Book of Deuteronomy, God’s posture towards his people is represented by the image of a

protective mother, symbolized by the mother eagle: “As an eagle that stirs up her nest, and flut-

ters over her young, he spread abroad his wings, he took them, and he bore them on his feath-

ers.”

In the New Testament, this mother-bird imagery is resumed. Here it is Jesus himself who summa-

rizes his care for Jerusalem in the metaphor of a mother hen who lovingly gathers her chicks un-

der her wings in the moments of peril: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I have longed to gather

your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). Jesus re-

flects the same kind of tender loving care that Yahweh has for his people.

All of Jesus’ words and actions and His very Person, reflect the Heavenly Father’s love. All

about him are oriented toward this goal: to show us the Father’s Face and bring us to know the

Father and love Him from his (Jesus’) way of being Son—totally Son— and entrust ourselves to

the Heavenly Father. Jesus is the Light that has come into this world to reveal to us the Face of

the Father, and that is why he says: “He who has seen Me has seen My Father, because I am in

My Father and My Father is in me!” And this is why also Jesus referred to His Father with that

most tender and familiar expression which Hebrew children, in their earliest years, use to call

their fathers: “Abba!” This is how He taught us to call His Father when we pray.

LENT IS A TIME TO APPRECIATE OUR FATHER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Jesus models for us what it means to be sons and daughters of a Mer-

ciful Compassionate Father. There is no doubt that he knew the Fa-

ther’s great love and approval of him: “Then from the cloud came a

voice (from heaven) that said: ‘This is my chosen Son, listen to him.’

It demands more than a feeling for our failures.

It asks us to enter more deeply into the profundity of this relationship,

and like the Prodigal Son, there to redis-cover the merciful love of

the Father; and thus, come to the renewal of our filial relationship

with God as He restores us to the dignity of his authentic sons and daughters (the theme of re-

newal and regeneration).

The Prodigal Son came back a long way off—The Father ran out to meet him

He came back in shame and depression—The Father met him with compassion and kisses

He came back unworthy to be called son—The Father restored him with dignity

The Prodigal Son came back in rags—He was restored with the finest robes

He came back barefooted—He was adorned with the best sandals

He came disenfranchised—the Father gave him the ring of royalty and

belonging

He came back hungry—the Father declared a feast, killing the fattened calf

He came back as though mourning—the Father declared a celebration with music and rejoicing He

came back disgraced—The Father gave him back his honor

Above all, he came back a slave, like any in his Father’s House—The Father restored his sonship!

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In a way, the Prodigal Son killed his Father, by asking for what can only be given after his Fa-

ther’s death—his share of the Father’s estate. In a sense, it took the symbolic death of the Father

(his departure from the Father) to come to the realization that he would only starve to death out-

side of the Father’s House. When we return to an intimate relationship with the Father—and back

into his dwelling place, we come to a realization of God’s grace. Lent is a time not just to re-

member that Jesus died for us; it is eminently a time to return to the Father’s House and to the

Father’s embrace of love because of that death.

IN GOD’S MERCIFUL LOVE IS ALL GRACE

Now, concerning the actual moments of failures, Thérèse’s insight shows that the Father’s mer-

ciful love still overshadows any faults that we may commit, provided we are repentant. Here is

what she writes in a letter to a priest who was despondent about his own struggles:

“I picture a father who has two children, mischievous and disobedient, and when he comes to

punish them, he sees one of them who trembles and gets away from him in terror, having, howev-

er, in the bottom of his heart the feeling that he deserves to be punished; and his brother, on the

contrary, throws himself into his father's arms, saying that he is sorry for having caused him any

trouble, that he loves him, and to prove it he will be good from now on, and if this child asks his

father to punish him with a kiss, I do not believe that the heart of the happy father could resist

the filial confidence of his child, whose sincerity and love he knows. He realizes, however, that

more than once his son will fall into the same faults, but he is prepared to pardon him always, if

his son always takes him by his heart. ... I say nothing to you about the first child, dear little

Brother, you must know whether his father can love him as much and treat him with the same

indulgence as the other” (LT 258: To Fr. Belliere, July 18, 1897).

The love revealed to St. Thérèse in the Person of our Lord was a merciful love, and it is as

"Merciful Love" that she always speaks of it. In God’s merciful love “all is grace.”

During this season of Lent, we would have opportunity to exercise ourselves in charity. Let us

not let them pass us by. May we truly strive to become in word and deed, in this Holy Season,

like our Heavenly Father!

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ILLUMINATING the

BASILICA

OUR LITTLE FLOWER BASILICA CELEBRATES the

18TH ANNIVERSARY of its DEDICATION

Granting the Title of Minor Basilica

Many people do not know what a Minor Basilica is or what is

its significance or obligations as a Papal Church. Here is an

extract of the document “DOMUS ECCLESIAE” (Norms for

the Granting of the Title of Minor Basilica Congregation for

Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Novem-

ber 9, 1989).

Churches wishing to petition the Holy See for the granting of

the title Minor Basilica should contact the USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship to obtain the questionnaire

mentioned in section II below. Use the "Contact Us" link at the top-right of the page, select Divine Worship as

the office, and mention "Minor Basilica application" in your message.

"The house of the Church" or the house of God and of the Christian community has always stood out as one

of the special signs of holy Church herself, the Bride of Christ, present and on pilgrimage in the world.

The beauty and glory of a church and its fitting arrangement for liturgical celebrations have at various times

been ordered by appropriate norms.

Among the churches of any diocese the cathedral church holds the first place and the greatest dignity. In it is

placed the cathedra, the sign of the Bishop's teaching authority and power, as pastor of the same diocese and

the sign of communion with the Roman cathedra of Peter. Next there are the parish churches, which are the

homes of the various communities of the diocese. In addition, there are shrines to which the Christian faithful

of the diocese or of other local Churches go on pilgrimage.

Among these churches and others of different categories are found some that have particular importance for

liturgical and pastoral life. These may be honored by the Supreme Pontiff with the title of minor basilica,

thereby signifying their particular link with the Roman Church and the Supreme Pontiff.

Norms concerning minor basilicas were established after the Second Vatican Council in the Decree Domus

Dei promulgated on July 6, 1968 by the Sacred Congregation for Rites (Acta Apostolicae Sedis 60 [1968],

536-539).

Attentive to more recent liturgical documents and after the experience of the passing years, the Congregation

for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments considers it opportune to adjust the aforementioned

norms to present circumstances as follows.

I. CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING THE TITLE MINOR BASILICA

1. A church for which the title of basilica is proposed must have been dedicated to God by a liturgical rite

and must stand out as a center of active and pastoral liturgy, especially through celebrations of the Most

Holy Eucharist, of penance, and of the other sacraments, which celebrations set an example for others

on account of their preparation and realization according to liturgical norms and with the active partici-

pation of the people of God.

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2. To further the possibility of truly carrying out worthy and exemplary celebrations, the aforesaid church

should be of an appropriate size and with a sufficiently large sanctuary. The various elements required

for the liturgical celebration (altar, ambo [lectern], celebrant's chair) must be placed according to the

requirements of the restored liturgy (cf. General Instruction of the Roman Missal, nos. 288-318).

3. The church may enjoy a certain renown throughout the diocese, for example, because it has been con-

structed and dedicated to God on the occasion of some particular historical and religious event, or be-

cause the body or significant relics of a saint are reserved in it, or because some sacred image is there

venerated in a special way. The historical value or importance of the church and the worthiness of its

art are also be considered.

4. So that, as the liturgical year progresses, the celebrations of the various seasons may be carried out in a

praiseworthy manner, a fitting number of priests is necessary; they are to be assigned to the liturgical

and pastoral care of the church, especially for the celebration of the Eucharist and penance (there should

also be an appropriate number of confessors who at stated hours are available to the faithful). In addi-

tion, a sufficient number of ministers is required as well as an adequate schola cantorum, which is to

encourage the participation of the faithful with sacred music and singing.

II. OFFICES AND DUTIES PROPER TO A BASILICA IN THE LITURGICAL

AND PASTORAL AREAS

1. In a minor basilica the liturgical instruction of the faithful is to be promoted by establishing groups con-

cerned with liturgical activity, by special courses of instruction given in a series of conferences, and by

other programs of this kind.

Among the special activities of a basilica may be especially mentioned the study and popularization of

documents coming from the Supreme Pontiff and the Holy See, especially those pertaining to the sacred

liturgy.

2. The celebrations of the liturgical year are to be prepared and carried out with great care, especially the sea-

sons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.

During Lent, in places that preserve the traditional form of gathering the local Church in the manner of

the Roman "stations,” it is highly recommended that a basilica be chosen for celebrating this kind of sta-

tion (cf. Roman Missal, the beginning of Lent; Ceremonial of Bishops, nos. 260-262).

The word of God is to be diligently proclaimed either in homilies or in special sermons.

The active participation of the faithful is to be pro-

moted both in the Eucharistic celebration and in the

celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, especially at

Morning and Evening Prayer.

In addition, approved forms of devotion are to be

suitably fostered.

3. Since the celebration of the liturgy takes on a

more noble form when it is carried out in song, care

must be taken that gatherings of the Christian faith-

ful be associated with the singing of the various parts

of the Mass, especially those found in the Ordinary

(cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 54; Sacred Con-

gregation for Rites, Instruction Musicam Sacram,

March 5, 1967).

14

In a basilica where the faithful from different nations or languages frequently come together, it is useful

that they should know how to sing together in Latin the profession of faith and the Lord's Prayer, using

more simple melodies like those composed in Gregorian chant which is "proper to the Roman Litur-

gy" (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 116; General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 41).

4. To make clear the particular bond of communion by which the minor basilica is united with the Roman

cathedra of Peter, every year there must be celebrated with particular care:

1.the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle (February 22);

2.the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (June 29);

3.the anniversary of the Supreme Pontiff's election or inauguration into the

supreme ministry.

III. CONCESSIONS CONNECTED WITH THE TITLE OF MINOR BASILICA

1. The day on which the concession of the title of basilica to a certain church is publicly announced should

be prepared for and observed in a festive way with appropriate sermons, prayer vigils, and other celebra-

tions, all taking place not only on the days immediately preceding the proclamation of the title but also on

those immediately afterwards.

On all these days, provided there does not occur a liturgical day listed in no. I, 1-4 or II, 5–6 of the table of

precedence in the Universal Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, there may be celebrated the

Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours of the title of the church or of the Saint or of the holy image which is es-

pecially venerated there; or "For the Particular Church" or "For the Pope" (cf. Universal Norms for the Li-

turgical Year and the Calendar, no. 59).

On the day of the proclamation itself, the Mass of that day is celebrated or one of the Masses indicated

above, according to the norm of the rubrics. At the beginning of the celebration, before the Gloria, the apos-

tolic brief or decree of concession by which the church is raised to the status of basilica is read in the ver-

nacular.

2. The faithful who devoutly visit the basilica and within it participate in any sacred rite or at least recite the

Lord's Prayer and the profession of faith may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions

(sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intention of the Supreme Pontiff):

1.on the anniversary of the dedication of the same basilica;

2.on the day of the liturgical celebration of the title;

3.on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles;

4.on the anniversary of the granting of the title of basilica;

5.once a year on a day to be determined by the local Ordinary;

6.once a year on a day freely chosen by the each of the faithful.

3. The papal symbol, that is, "crossed keys," may be exhibited on banners, on furnishings, and on the seal of

the basilica.

4. The rector of the basilica or the person in charge of it may wear in the exercise of his office — over the

cassock or the religious habit and the surplice — a black mozetta with red piping, buttons, and button holes.

From the offices of the Congregation, this ninth day of November 1989, the Feast of the Dedication of the

Lateran Basilica.

15

LUMEN GENTIUMM AWARD 2017

This award is bestowed upon an individual Catholic member of a parish who has demonstrated by their life,

service, and ministry a participation in the mission of Christ Jesus and the Church. The criteria for the award

are:

The individual is to be a practicing Catholic layperson, not a

priest, deacon, or religious, who manifests an understanding of the

teachings of the Church and has been graced with a life formed in

the Catholic spiritual tradition.

The individual has used his/her talents to deepen the life of the

Church in the parish or has served in an extraordinary way the

ministry of the parish.

The nomination for the award has been advanced by the pastor

and pastoral council of the parish, and the nominee has accepted

and will be available to receive the award.

Mr. Homer Cadena 2017

Award Recipient

Mr. Homer Cadena’s countless hours in various ministries serve as

an example to all of us. Through his service, he has demonstrated

the meaning of “Loving our neighbor.” He has been instrumental

in organizing and leading St. Vincent de Paul Society programs for

over 30 years, serving the most needy of our community. He is a

spirited leader that has served in finance committees, parish coun-

cils, festival committees, Archbishop’s appeal campaigns and much

more. At his 80 Years of age, Mr. Cadena can always be counted on to support and lead efforts for the com-

mon good of his community. The Carmelite Fathers and the Little Flower Community are grateful to Mr. Ca-

dena for his service and dedication.

Congratulations!

LENTEN RETREAT ~ RETIRO CUARESMAL

“Listen to God and see the other one”

(on the Lenten message of our Holy Father Pope Francis)

“Escuchar a Dios y Mirar al otro”

(sobre el mensaje cuaresmal del Santo Padre el Papa Francisco)

PRESENTERS-PRESENTADORES

Fr. Raul Reyes, O.C.D. (English)

Fr. Luis Gerardo Belmonte-Luna, O.C.D. (Español)

WHEN-CUANDO

Saturday, April 8 ~ Sabado 8 de Abril

8am (Begin with Mass at the Basilica) -1pm (Ends with lunch)

FOR REGISTRATION

Call at 210.735.9126 Ext. 116

or stop by the

Administration Office

824 Kentucky Ave

(Left to Right) Mrs. Annie Cadena, Mr. Homer

Cadena, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller

M.Sp.S., and Fr. Luis Belmonte OCD (Pastor).

16

HOLY THURSDAY and GOOD FRIDAY

at the BASILICA

2016

Washing of the Feet

(Left to Right) Deacon Rodriguez, Fr. Luis and Fr. Gregory

reading the Passion of Christ.

17

LITTLE FLOWER BASILICA

Holy Week ~ Semana Santa

Sunday, April 9th:

Palm Sunday

Masses: 5:30 pm (Vigil), 7:30am, 9:00 am (Spanish),

11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm (Spanish)

April 13th:

Holy Thursday- Jueves Santo

10:00 am Morning Prayer

6:00 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

(Adoration till Midnight)

April 14th:

Good Friday- Viernes Santo

10:00 am Morning Prayer

3:00 pm Adoration of the Cross and

Communion Service

April 15th:

Holy Saturday- Sabado Santo

10:00 am Morning Prayer

12:00 pm Via Matrix

9:00 pm Easter Vigil

April 16th:

Easter Sunday-Domingo de Pascua

Masses: 8am, 10am (Spanish), 12pm,

2pm and 6:30 pm (Spanish)

April 17th-22nd:

Octave of Easter- Octava Pascual

Masses: 12pm and 5:30pm

(Saturday Mass is at 8am)

18

EASTER at the

BASILICA

2016

19

2017 MUSICAL SHOWER of ROSES 20

th Anniversary 1997-2017

On Sunday, April 23, 2017, the Basilica will

host the San Antonio Mastersingers and the

Children Chorus of San Antonio for our 20th

annual celebration of “A Musical Shower of

Roses.” This event has become a marvelous tra-

dition for the Basilica and a way in which the

Discalced Carmelite Fathers contribute to the

cultural life of the people of San Antonio

through the presentation of fine choral music.

Long ago, we chose the title of “A Musical

Shower of Roses” to refer to our annual concert

with the Mastersingers. The title for this concert

is a play of words referring to

St. Thérèse’s promise to let fall a shower of ros-

es after her death. Obviously St. Thérèse has never become idle in heaven. She has kept her promise.

We firmly believe that one of the ways in which St. Thérèse continues her work of blessing the world is

through her National Shrine and Basilica in San Antonio. When people come to the Shrine, they find their

spirits uplifted by the marvelous spiritual art that is on display. The beauty of the art becomes a way for God

to speak to the soul. The same is true of music, as was noted by our emeritus Pope Benedict XVI on the occa-

sion of the third anniversary of his Pontificate on April the 24th 2008, he spoke of the universal value of mu-

sic and said that there is “a kinship between music and hope, between song an eter-

nal life.” If this is true, then the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

has become a place where this kinship between music and hope can be experi-

enced.

Many people, including the director of the Mastersingers, Mr. John Silantien, have

noted that for a musical concert the Basilica is top notch in terms of acoustics. In

other words, the Basilica’s acoustic qualities contribute to the purity of the sound

coming from the human voice and from musical instruments.

On April 23rd the human voice will be on display, as the San Antonio

Mastersingers present works by Gioacino Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle.

20

PROVINCE of

ST. THÉRÈSE

+ Fr. John Michael Payne of the Child Jesus

(1941-2017)

Father John Michael Payne, of Little Rock, was born on August 11, 1941. His name was Patrick John Payne.

In the Discalced Carmelite order he was known as John Michael of the Child Jesus. He was born in San Fran-

cisco, CA, but became a Texan when Mr. Morgan, his pappy, and Georgina Mahoney Payne, his mother,

moved to Mount Pleasant, TX. He finished high school in Mount Pleasant and entered Saint Joseph Seminary

at Saint Benedict Abbey in Covington, LA. In 1963, he graduated from St. Joseph’s Seminary and joined the

Discalced Carmelite Friars. He was professed as a Discalced Carmelite on July 20, 1964 at Marylake in Little

Rock, AR. He went on to study philosophy in Santa Clara. Finishing Philosophy in 1966, he continued his

studies of Theology in Washington, D.C. at Catholic University. He was ordained on June 13, 1970. Through-

out his years as an ordained friar in the Province of St. Thérèse, Father John Michael served the province in

many capacities. He served in the cathedral parish in Dallas, TX, and served as Superior of Houston, TX in

the mid-1970’s. He was given the task of coordinating the withdrawal of the friars from our foundation in Bel-

laire, within the broad Houston metropolis. (The Province was in the process of consolidating its sparse per-

sonnel). Then he went on to serve in our house of prayer in Dallas. He was assigned to the house and parish in

San Antonio, TX. He worked for many years as Spiritual Director of the Secular Order of our Province of St.

Thérèse. Several terms he served as Superior in our Novitiate House in Little Rock, AR; and this is where he

died on the afternoon of the Feast of the Epiphany, January 8, 2017.

21

Little Flower Carmelite Mass Association

The Eucharist, as celebrated in Mass, was greatly valued by St. Thé-

rèse, the Little Flower, the patroness of our Province. In her autobiog-

raphy, The Story of a Soul, St. Thérèse describes the joy she experi-

enced upon receiving her First Communion, a joy that continued

throughout her adult life as a Carmelite nun, serving as sacristan in her

cloistered community. The Discalced Carmelite Friars would like to

offer you the opportunity to enroll your family, friends and loved ones

in the Little Flower Mass Association, named in honor of our beloved patroness.

As a token of your love, we will send a Mass Certificate to the family member or friend whom you wish to receive the

enrollment. This enrollment originates a process of prayer that culminates in the remembrance of the one enrolled into

the Masses and prayers of Discalced Carmelite Friars at her National Shrine in San Antonio, Texas.

Enrollment Benefits:

Membership enrollment in the Mass Association is for one year and includes the following benefits:

Remembrance in a sung Mass every Saturday in the chapel of our Carmelite Nuns and offering of the Eucharist at

the Basilica as well as on the following days: – Christmas Day, Solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19), Solemnity of

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (July 16), Solemnity of St. Thérèse, the Little Flower (October 1), Solemnity of St. Teresa

of Jesus (October 15), All Souls Day (November 2 for enrollees who have died).

Remembrance in the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours by the Discalced Carmelite Friars

Enrollments are for Both the Living and the Deceased

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Carmelite Mass Association Order Form Dear Discalced Carmelite Fathers, please enroll:

[ ] Individual ($25 donation) [ ] Family ($50 donation)

Person(s) enrolled _________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

[ ] Deceased [ ] Living [ ] Anniversary of Death [ ] Wedding Anniversary

[ ] Birthday [ ] Other

Mail certificate to:

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________________________

City: ___________________State: ___________Zip: _______________________

Mail to:

Rev. Fr. Luis Gerardo Belmonte-Luna, O.C.D.

824 Kentucky Ave.

San Antonio, Texas 78201

22

The Tomb Chapel The most consoling thought of the National

Shrine of the Little Flower is the one that grati-

tude alone has built this beautiful edifice. The ros-

es our Little Saint let fall so abundantly upon

those who sought her help have inspired the erec-

tion of this Shrine of love.

In this National Shrine is the “TOMB CHAPEL”

of the Little Flower, a very sacred spot, wherein

the walls are also lined with the names of the liv-

ing and departed who shall forever be remem-

bered in the prayers.

This Tomb Chapel of St. Thérèse is exactly like

the one at Lisieux where her blessed remains re-

pose. So natural does her representation appear that all idea of death is lacking. It is a foretaste of the bliss

which we see; the repose of a soul after the ecstasy of beholding God.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Burn a vigil light for your prayer intentions in the Tomb Chapel of St. Thérèse at the Basilica of the Na-

tional Shrine of the Little Flower.

Dear Discalced Carmelite Fathers, please accept my gift offering of:

[ ] $3.00 to burn a vigil light in the Tomb Chapel of St. Thérèse.

Name:_____________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________

City:____________________________State:_____________Zip:_____________

23

Saint Thérèse Painting Perhaps the most treasured work of art at the Basilica is

the painting of Saint Thérèse created by the saint’s own

natural blood sister, Celine (Sr. Geneviève of the Holy

Face). The painting was a gift from the Discalced Car-

melite Nuns from the convent of Carmel in Lisieux,

France. Oral history states that the painting traveled to

Rome for the event of Thérèse’s canonization by Pope

Pious XI at a ceremony on May 17, 1925.

Prints are available for purchase at $40.00 (please add

$10.00 for shipping fee) and includes a certificate of

authenticity. Prints are 20” x 26” and printed on high

quality linen stock.

My Novena Rose Prayer O Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and

send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the fa-

vor I now place with confidence in your hands… (Mention specific requests). Saint Thé-

rèse, help me to always believe as you did, in God’s great love for me, so that I may imitate

your “Little Way” each day. Amen.

ORDER FORM

Dear Carmelite Fathers, please send me a copy of the 20”x

26” print of Saint Thérèse. I’m including my check of

$_________ for ___ print(s) plus $10.00 for shipping fee.

Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

City: ___________________________State: _________Zip:

24

APOSTOLATE OF THE LITTLE FLOWER

P.O. Box 5280

San Antonio, Texas. 78201

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PERIODICALS

POSTAGE PAID

SAN ANTONIO

TEXAS