St. Theresa’s Shrine marks Centennial Jubilee Year

The Shrine of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus was established as a parish in the nasonville section of Burrillville on August 23rd, 1923 by then Bishop William Hickey. For the past 100 years, it has served the Catholic faithful from far and near. In July of 2019, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish merged with Our Lady of good Help Parish in Mapleville and is now known as Our Lady of good Help Parish and St. Theresa’s Shrine.

St. Therese of Lisieux was born in 1873 and is popularly known as “The Little Flower”. Together with St. Francis of Assisi, she is one of the most popular saints in the history of the Church.

DAR Scholarship recipients

The Captain Job Knapp Chapter of the national Society of the Daughters of the American revolution (nSDAr) awarded two 2023 graduating students each a $500 scholarship in honor of former chapter member Marcelyn Karagosian. The recipients are Hayle Ortla and Mayra DeSousa both from Blackstone Valley Vocational Technical High School. These exceptional students will be continuing their education in the medical field. Mrs. Karagosian's husband John Karagosian and daughter Dr. Elizabeth Karagosian were in attendance to present the scholarships. Dr. Karagosian sponsors the scholarship in honor of her mother.

Mrs. Karagosian was a 30-year member of the nSDAr and was descended from many patriots who served in the revolutionary War. A Past regent of the Capt. Job Knapp Chapter, she also served as Chapter Chaplain. She also served as State Librarian, Vice regent, and for 3 years as State regent. After serving as State regent, she was honored with the title of Honorary State regent.

The national Society Daughters of the American revolution, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children. It is a nonprofit, non-political, volunteer women’s service organization. Any woman who has an ancestor who fought in or rendered aid in the American revolution may be eligible for membership in DAr. FMI contact Chapter regent noveline Beltram at noveline@verizon.net.

Even before construction began on the Shrine, a local resident, Mrs. Florilda Faford, was the beneficiary of a miraculous cure. Her illness had been deemed incurable by her doctors in Boston. But the then newly-appointed Pastor, Father Desrochers, and two nuns from nearby Southbridge, MA visited her and began a novena to St. Theresa for Mrs. Faford’s healing.

When news of the miraculous cure spread, pilgrims began to visit the area even before the new Church was built. Mrs. Faford was 34 at the time of her healing and lived to be 89. She was laid to rest in 1977.

This being our Centennial year of celebration, the Parish is working to improve the grounds with a new rosary Walk, beautify the campus, and continue to spread the message of love which is at the center of St. Theresa’s unique contributions to theology and faith.

We gratefully appreciate the Vatican’s grant of THE PLEnArY InDULgEnCE to those who visit the Shrine during the Centennial Year.

Upcoming events include a Mass, with a reception following Mass on July 23rd by His Excellency, Most reverend Salvatore r. Matano, Bishop of rochester, nY and a talk on the Life and Theology of St. Therese of Lisieux on August 4th by His Excellency, Most reverend robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester. Both Bishops were members of the Diocese of Providence and served as pastors in different parishes.

Many events are scheduled throughout the period running from May of 2023 through May of 2024. For information on all the events visit: www.burrillvillecatholic.org

As devoted pilgrims are aware, the Shrine holds a major celebration every year on the third Sunday in August. This year, the Centennial Celebration Mass and Dedication of the newly-built rosary Walk will be held on August 20th beginning at noon with a Mass by the Most reverend robert C. Evans, Auxiliary Bishop of Providence (retd.). Confessions will be available in the afternoon, the gift Shop will be open, and food and beverages will be available as we enjoy the holy grounds, religious music, and the honor of being present at the celebrations of the first Shrine in north America and the World built in honor of “The Little Flower”.

The Shrine is located at 35 Dion Drive, Harrisville and is open yearround from sunrise to sunset. Visitors may stroll among the beautiful Church of the Little Flower, the newly-built rosary Walk, the outdoor Chapel, Holy Stairs, Stations of the Cross, garden of the Saints, and the Shrines of Our Lady of guadalupe and Our Lady of Fatima. Picnic tables are available outdoors and the Hall can be used for meals during periods of inclement weather.