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See portions of the shrine:
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THE SHRINE The Shrine of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus is envisioned to be the center of devotion to the Saint in Asia. It is also the Diocesan Shrine of the Military Ordinariate in the Philippines. The primary influence of the design of the Shrine is the Reliquary of St. Therese. The building is shaped like a cross, as most Shrines are, with a long nave and two shorter transepts. The Shrine’s architectural style is Classical Contemporary, with a column-less interior and sleek, rounded lines. It stands at 35 meters from street level to the tip of the dome ceiling and can seat up to 1800 people comfortably. 168 basement parking slots are also conveniently available to the Shrine and Columbarium visitors.
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STAINED GLASS |
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The 14 windows on either side of the Shrine signify the 14 stations of the cross, as well as depict the life and times of St. Thérèse.
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1. In her memoir “The Story of a Soul,” St. Thérèse emerged as a simple country girl whom by her simple acts, and profound understanding of the Scriptures led others to marvel at her wisdom.
2. St. Thérèse could not enter the Carmelite convent when she wished because she was only 15 years old so when her father and sister took her to Rome, she spoke in the presence of the Pope in Vatican, even if she was forbidden to do so, to beg him to allow her to enter Carmel. 3. As a Carmelite nun, St. Thérèse chose the name “Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face.”
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Our Lady of Victories:
The Martin family often prayed to Her in the church of Carmel. St. Thérèse’s healing miracle with Our Lady of the Smiles was preceded by a novena of masses offered by her father to the Shrine of Our Lady of Victories in Paris. |
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Doctor of the Church: In 1997, Pope John Paul II named St. Thérèse a “Doctor of the Universal Church,” a title given to saints whose writings have been of fundamental influence in the development of the Church’s teachings.
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DOORS |
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These main doors feature carvings of the faces of St. Thérèse and the Holy Face of Jesus, surrounded by twelve roses each, signifying the 24 years of St. Therese on earth. | |
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These side doors feature a staff, sheep, a bottle of water and a satchel to signify Shepherding and a bushel of wheat and grapes to signify the Eucharist.
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PEWS |
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The pews are custom-designed with a cross and three roses symbolizing the Church (cross) and the three books of St. Thérèse (3 roses).
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CEILING |
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The ceiling also features the rose design with nine roses depicting St. Thérèse’s nine years inside the Carmelite convent in France.
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DOME |
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The diameter of this dome is close to 60 feet. It houses 16 stained glass windows as well. There are nine popes and seven saints, closely related to St. Thérèse and her spirituality, who appear on these windows. a. St. Thérèse of Calcutta – changed her name from Teresa to Thérèse, after St. Thérèse “not the great one but the little one.” b. Pope Pius XI– canonized St. Thérèse.
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ALTAR |
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The Altar has 24 roses intricately carved around it, symbolizing St. Thérèse’s 24 years of life.
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Reredo (or Retablo) and Altar Pieces: The Reredo and altar pieces are ornately carved wooden structures by renowned Bettis Pampanga furniture makers, Resty and Danny Garcia, with gold-leaf finish. It also features four columns showing the Four Evangelists with their corresponding animal representations: Matthew (winged man or angel), Mark (lion), Luke (calf/ox) and John (eagle). Crucifix: This was sculpted and painted by celebrated artist, Rev. Fr. Arman Tangi (famous for the paintings of the “smiling Christ”). It is patterned after the one inside the cloistered Convent of St. Thérèse in Carmel. |
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STATUES |
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Our Lady of the Smile statue: The Our Lady of the Smile statue was placed in the room of little St. Thérèse when she was sick of an unknown illness. It was the same image that seemed to beam and smile at her, curing her miraculously. |
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St. Thérèse Statue: This statue of St. Thérèse stands on a vault with a reliquary carrying a Primary Relic of St. Thérèse that was given to the Shrine as a gift by Monsignor Bernard Lagoutte during his visit on 2008 at the Welcome Mass for St. Thérèse’s 2nd visit to the Philippines.
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MULTI-PURPOSE HALL |
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The "Our Lady of the Smile Multi-Purpose Hall" is basically used as a crying room for children who cry during the mass so as not to disrupt the ceremony. It is equipped with sounds as can be heard during mass celerations. It also serves as a multi-purpose hall for church-related activities. |
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PHOTOGRAPHER'S AREA |
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The Photographer's area | |
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View from the Photographer's area. | |
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Statue of the Resurrected Christ as the "fifteenth & final station: to the Station of the Cross. | |
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MAGNIFICAT VENTURES COPORATION 22/F Galleria Corporate Center, EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City|| Tel. Nos. (632) 636-MARY (3279), Fax: 687-1477 SHRINE OF ST. THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS AND COLUMBARIUM Newport Blvd, Bgy. 183, Zone 20 Villamor, Pasay City 1100 || Tel. Nos. (632) 853-9187 to 90, Fax: 853-3168 |
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