Bayeux, January 31, 1922
To the Mayor of Lisieux
Mr. Mayor,
The public voice has informed you that for several months the forthcoming Beatification of Sister Thérèse of the Carmel of Lisieux has been considered as probable.
I am officially informing you today that this is certain and that this great honor will be awarded to your compatriot next spring, known and celebrated throughout the Catholic universe.
It is a constant custom and respected everywhere that, on this occasion, the remains of the beatified person, which have become relics in the eyes of the Church, are transported to a church or a chapel to be deposited there in a shrine.
We have already received from Brazil a magnificent shrine intended to receive the relics of the new Blessed.
Consequently the young ladies Martin, sisters of the Blessed, Carmelites at the monastery of Lisieux as they represent the family; and I, as I represent religion in the capacity of Bishop of Bayeux, we wish to obtain, and request from you, the authorization to exhume the remains of Sister Thérèse, and to transport them to the chapel of the Carmel.
We will comply with all police laws governing the transport of human remains.
We will settle later, in agreement with you, the details of this transport and the character to be given to this ceremony.
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Bayeux, March 5, 1923
To the Mayor of Lisieux
Mr. Mayor
I have already had the honor of writing to you to ask for your authorization to transport the remains of Sister Thérèse from the cemetery of Lisieux to the chapel of the Carmel.
The moment of the beatification is near; the time for final preparations has arrived. I would therefore be grateful if you would kindly give me your official response as soon as possible, which I (sic) hope will be favorable to you.
Accept, Mr. Mayor, the assurance of my highest consideration,
+ Thomas, Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux
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Bayeux, March 20, 1923
Mr. Mayor
I have the honor to inform you that we wish to proceed with the transfer of the remains of Sister Thérèse, on Monday March 26 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
This day is imposed on us because this ceremony cannot be postponed after Easter and cannot be postponed during Holy Week.
I hope that, on your side, there will be nothing to prevent the choice imposed on me by the circumstances which I have just described to you.
During the next week, Father Trèche will be going to Lisieux. Please accept it; on your instructions we will regulate the modalities of this transfer which I propose to preside over, in choir costume, accompanied by a certain number of priests.
Accept, Mr. Mayor, the assurance of my most distinguished sentiments.
