- It was all joy when 22 members of the St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, popularly known as the “Little Flowers” undertook a spiritual pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal, Lourdes and Lisieux, both in France and Vatican, Italy to meet the Holy Father Pope Francis.
The two-week trip from October 23 to November 7, 2024, was initiated and well executed by the National Vice President of the Society, Obaapanin Rose Adwoa Deku and the National Auditor, Opanin Georgina .Addo-Tawiah.
The professionally well organised trip included two Priests who were welcomed by the officials of Our Lady of Fatima. Six slots were provided to the group where Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Gosu, the Spiritual Director of the Society and Rev. Fr. Mandela Anyigbah both of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, joined the Priests on duty for the candle lighting procession.
Opanin Georgina Addo-Tawiah was among the notable lectors and Obaapanin Rose, Perpetual and Opanin Theresa were among the dignitaries who carried the cross of Virgin Mary on that occasion.
The group visited the Tombs of the visionaries Francisco, Jacinto, and Lucia. Groups were seen at the Aljustrel where the children lived, and the Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison.
Cava de Irina was one of the very interesting places the group visited. Group board their luxurious bus to Lourdes, passing through Spain.
In Lourdes, The Little Flowers (Pilgrims) had a walking tour tracing the life of St. Bernadette, which includes visits to the Boly Mills where Bernadette was born; the Locale Mill, residence of her parents; the “Cachot,” formerly used as a jail, where she lived at the time of the Apparitions; the Chapel where she received her First Holy Communion; and the Parish church containing the Font, where she was baptized.
The pilgrims viewed a video presentation relating to the story of Lourdes. The Sunday Mass was one of a spiritually filled service, where the group was recognised.
Another executive bus transported the group from Lourdes to Lisieux, the city where St. Theresa Society originated. Group were well welcome by the Rector on behalf of the Bishop of Lisieux.
The Rector expressed his appreciation to the group for taking into consideration of visiting Lisieux and called upon the group to always remember to come home annually. The National Vice President of the society made a presentation to the Bishop of Lisieux and thank him for the welcome message.
In Lisieux Group visited the beautiful Basilica of St. Theresa and the magnificent mosaics and stained glass windows contained within the Basilica. The pilgrims had the opportunity to view relics, clothing, and personal objects of St. Theresa, then we visit her family home, Les Buissonets.
Additionally, visited the Carmelite Convent, where she entered in 1888, currently entombed with her parents. According to Pope Pius X, St. Theresa of Lisieux was the “greatest saint of modern times.” Her extraordinary love for God and service to humanity will come alive as you walk in the great Saint’s footsteps.
The St. Theresa group departed to Rome and visited Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Colosseo, Tre Fontaine, Catacomb, Basilica of St. Paul, St. John the Lateran Cathedral, The Holy Stairs and the Basilica of Mary Major.
One of the never to forget day in ROME was the PAPAL AUDIENCE and the visit to the TOMBS OF THE POPES. At 06:00am on Wednesday, November 6, the group board their brand-new bus to Saint Peter’s square where the Holy Father holds a General Audience mostly on Wednesday mornings in Vatican City at 10:00 a.m.
The group continued to see the Tomb of the Popes which is referred to as The Papal Tombs. It is the final resting places of the Popes, most which dated from the fifth to sixteenth centuries.
In Vatican, the Little Flowers were so favoured to sit closer to the Holy Father. Group name was mentioned in public and after the Audience, the group were informed to have a memorable photo with the Pope that St. Theresa of the Child Jesus will never forget in their live.
The Group expressed gratitude to the Holy Father, Bishop of Fatima, Lourdes, Lisieux, the Priest of Santa Maria delle Grazie, Tour guides, Drivers, Hotel Managements and the official Airline, KLM.
According to the Pilgrims, the trip offered them the great opportunity to get closer to their Maker.
On behalf of the Society, the National Vice President, Obaapanin Rose Deku expressed her profound gratitude to all who participated in the 2024 Pilgrimage, saying, “you made it happen.”
“Happy Christmas in advance, my current Pilgrims and may the joy in Christmas be with you all in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit” she prayed.
