The non-cult trial

Mother Agnes of Jesus

The Servant of God Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus died in this Carmel in the infirmary on September 30, 1897. In accordance with the customs of our monasteries, the body of the Servant of God was exposed near the gate of the choir on Friday evening October 1 to Sunday evening October 3. During this interval there was an uninterrupted procession of the faithful who came to pray and to touch various objects to the remains of the deceased. This practice is not exclusively specific to the case of the Servant of God. This is commonly done at the death of our Sisters; only the contest was more numerous. The attendance at his funeral, which took place on Monday, October 4, was not exceptional and the signs of veneration that were given were nothing special.

And juxtaposed 11 interr. proc. mad. 30 terg. replied:

Since the Servant of God's death, I have seen more evidence every day of universal trust in her intercession. From the year 1898 when the first edition of her life appeared, people began to show us the confidence we had in her. The letters we received at that time bear witness to this. Several missionaries from the Foreign Missions came to his tomb before embarking for their distant Missions. Today, I can no longer count the requests for prayers or the thanksgivings that the Post Office brings to Carmel every day. The daily mail now has an average of one hundred letters from all parts of the world. In order not to be diverted from our recollection by this correspondence which is becoming overwhelming, I had to print various models of replies which we send as the case may be. Sometimes out of ignorance, in these demonstrations of piety, the faithful can, without bad intention, use formulas less in conformity with the rigor of the rules of the Church. But we oppose it carefully whenever possible. For this we wrote in 1900 a letter to the Very Reverend Father General of the Carmelites asking him to inform us of what was permitted or prohibited in this matter. His answer of July 29, 1900 is a very complete directory and I take care that we conform to it exactly in Carmel and even outside as much as I can.

Thus I have prevented our nuns from making the novenas in choir which are required to obtain graces. One day when, in my absence, they had said to the choir, although outside of any liturgical office, “Little Sister Thérèse, pray for us”, having heard of it, I strongly recommended that we never do this again.

When the faithful out of ignorance send candles to Carmel “to be burned” in order to obtain graces through the intercession of Sister Thérèse, we burn these candles in front of the altar of the Blessed Virgin, where there is no image of the Servant of God.

We are sometimes sent ex-votos in recognition of the graces that are said to have been obtained through the intercession of the Servant of God. These ex-votos are locked up in a room withdrawn from the house and piled up on the floor against a wall.

I don't know of any special litanies or novenas composed in honor of the Servant of God; there is a prayer addressed to God to obtain his beatification. This prayer printed on the reverse of certain images has been approved by the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux.

We are so anxious to prevent any form of worship defended by the Church, that we have sometimes given advice on this subject to people outside. So I had the Reverend Father Etienne, Abbot of La Trappe de Mortagne, asked to remove the portrait of Sister Thérèse which he had had placed "although without nimbus and without rays" in the Church, near the painting of the saint Face. I even took the liberty of writing to Monsignor Allgeyer, Bishop of Zanzibar, to dissuade him from the project he explained to us in a letter to put Sister Thérèse's hair in his pectoral cross.

And iuxta interr. 12 p.m. mad. 32 replied:

Not having left the enclosure, I only know by public notoriety what happens at the Servant of God's tomb. Thus it is well known that she was buried in the public cemetery of the city of Lisieux, in a piece of land purchased to be used for the burial of Carmelite nuns. We also know that on September 6, 1910, the body of Sister Thérèse was exhumed by order and in the presence of the Bishop of Bayeux for better preservation. She was buried again in a grave dug in the same enclosure and close to the first site. We have a report of this exhumation drawn up the same day and signed by the Bishop of Bayeux and the witnesses.

Et ulterius fol. 32 terg. sequitor:

I also know from the reports that are constantly made to me that the practice of going to pray at the Servant of God's tomb has gradually developed. Today not a day goes by without several pilgrims going to pray at the tomb. As far as I can tell, nothing happens at the cemetery that is against Church rules. However, it happened that ignorant faithful placed lighted candles on the tomb, having learned this, we had placed near the tomb a notice thus designed and painted on a wooden tablet, "For prudence and to obey the prescriptions of the Church it is expressly forbidden to light candles on the tomb of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus”. One of these candles having set fire to the wooden cross placed on the tomb, we had it replaced on May 23, 1911 by an iron cross. Except for this peculiarity, the tomb of Sister Thérèse resembles that of the other Carmelites. Around 1902, a priest would have liked to adorn this tomb by placing a statue of the Blessed Virgin there, we opposed it.

And iuxta 13 interr. proc. mad. 33 replied:

We have in Carmel a very large quantity of relics and souvenirs of the Servant of God. My Sisters and I, having lived with her since her earliest childhood, and having always professed a very special affection for her, we carefully kept the objects which reminded us of her memory. The most precious of these objects are carefully preserved in the Carmel; the others serve us to respond to the innumerable requests that are made of us.

As for the relics kept here, the most interesting have been placed in cases, the others are locked up in boxes and cupboards. But either the caskets or the vulgar cases are deposited in an apartment which, not only is inaccessible to the public, but which is not even open to the devotion of our nuns. In addition, these boxes are carefully covered with curtains. Moreover, the Tribunal can see all these details first hand. Sometimes particularly worthy pilgrims are shown, e.g. to Bishops etc., one or the other of these memories. For this they are shown around, without any form of religious ceremony. Never are lamps or candles lit in front of these relics: they are never exposed among the relics of the Saints, nor in the church are they ever made the object of liturgical worship.

As for the relics sent to the faithful, they consist of small fragments of clothing, bed curtains, fabrics having touched the bones of the Servant of God. We are asked for it from all sides; we can no longer satisfy these pious desires; the graces very often obtained by touching these simple fragments further increase confidence and the desire to possess someone of them. The Carmels of Puy, Bergerac etc. help us to arrange these memories on pictures or in small bags, Despite this we cannot suffice because the requests are too numerous. When we send some memory a little more notable, we attach an assent to it with the small sheet above.

“It is expressly forbidden by the decrees of Pope Urban VIII. of 1625 and 1634, to expose these relics publicly to the veneration of the faithful and to place them in the middle of the other relics of Saints or Blessed”.

Strictly speaking, we do not possess any relic of the body of the Servant of God, with the exception of her hair and two teeth which had been set aside during her life. One of these teeth was given to His Eminence Cardinal Gotti in 1899 or 1900. During the exhumation of September 6, 1910, the Bishop of Bayeux forbade any part of the body to be removed. A very small bone fragment adhering to a fragment of clothing was taken by a worker and returned to Carmel a few days after the exhumation. We keep it with a note signed by the Bishop of Bayeux authenticating this relic.

proc, fol. 34 terg. respondit and iuxta 14 interr.

Representations of the Servant of God are quite numerous, either drawn or painted or in photographs. The explanation of this fact is in the presence in Carmel of one of my sisters (Sister Geneviève, to bed Céline Martin) who draws and paints very well and who, being the Servant of God's own sister, likes to reproduce her in every way. We have at Carmel the originals of these drawings. They were reproduced by photographic processes and served to illustrate the “Life of the Servant of God”.

Sister Geneviève, fearing to breach the Rules of the Church, took advice in the composition of her drawings from Monsignor Legoux, former Vicar General of Coutances and Apostolic Prothonotary, whom we knew to be particularly competent in these matters. Moreover, these images do not include any of the attributes that the Church reserves for the Saints and the Blessed: we see neither halo, nor rays of light, nor diadem. These images are neither placed on the altars nor exposed to public worship among the images of the Saints or the Blessed: candles are never lit to honor them.

We also have in Carmel a statue of which only this single example exists. This work is strictly speaking a group. It represents the Child Jesus carried on a cloud and haloed; lower down, Sister Thérèse, without nimbus of any kind, kneeling before the Child Jesus receives roses from him which she throws on the ground. This bronze statue, gift of two families, is placed without any sign of worship in a corner of our chapter house. The dimensions of this work are approximately a quarter life.

The printed reproductions of images of the Servant of God are multiplied in very large numbers by the various publishers who are unable to meet the demands that are made of them.

Sr Therese of St Augustine

I was in Carmel when the Servant of God died on September 30, 1897. Our Sisters paid her body no other honors than those which are customarily given to the mortal remains of nuns who die in Carmel. This is how his body was exposed to the grille of the choir. The affluence of the faithful was much greater than usual in such a case; but this can be explained by the fact that the family of the Servant of God was well known and highly esteemed in the town of Lisieux. The faithful who came had the body of the deceased touched rosaries, crosses, medals, jewels, etc., but this is also done on the death of the other Sisters.

And juxtaposed 11 interr. proc. mad. 44 terg. replied:

There can be no doubt that the devotion of the faithful will establish itself and increase considerably with regard to the Servant of God.

1°. I am sometimes employed by Our Reverend Mother to sort out the correspondence that the post office brings to Carmel every day. Either by the number of these letters (more than a hundred per day at the present date), or by their content, it is evident that devotion to Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus is becoming almost universal.

2°. But to stick to the remarks that my office as sacristan gives me the opportunity to make, I will say: 1. that the number of people who come to pray in the chapel during the day or attend masses in the morning has greatly increased since the death of the Servant of God and especially since the start of the Information trial; 2. I also note that the number of hosts spent that the communions of the faithful in the chapel of Carmel are much more numerous than formerly; 3. I also note that more and more Priests now come from different countries to say Holy Mass in the Carmel Chapel. There can be no doubt that all these movements of piety were occasioned by the reputation of holiness of the Servant of God.

Another form of devotion is the frequent sending to us of ornaments and objects of worship for our chapel, for example candlesticks and altar crosses, corporals, etc. . . Flowers and candles are often sent to honor “the Virgin who smiled at the Servant of God” or “the statue of the Child Jesus that the Servant of God loved to decorate. "I have never heard that these candles were intended for the very images of Sister Thérèse, in any case, we would not lend ourselves to these marks of devotion if they were asked of us, because we know that it is defended. In the Community, public prayers are never addressed to the Servant of God.

And iuxta 12 art. proc, fol. 45 terg. replied:

Naturally, because of the fence, I never saw the Servant of God's tomb; but everyone knows that he is in the town cemetery, and I hear from all sides that the number of pilgrims there is increasing every day. — I also know that the Bishop of Bayeux and Lisieux presided over the transfer of the bones of Sister Thérèse from the original grave to a neighboring tomb. Originally the ornamentation of the tomb of Sister Thérèse contained nothing special compared to the tomb of the other Carmelites. Only a wooden cross had been placed there. If this cross was a little larger than those used until then, it is because we had had the project when burying the remains of Sister Thérèse very deeply, to superimpose other coffins therein to save money and we would thus have placed several names on the same cross. We have since learned that the municipality, which is responsible for the administration of the cemetery, was opposed to this superposition of bodies; we then returned for the Carmelites who have since died to the old (smaller) size of the crosses. I know that this year the wooden cross was replaced by an iron cross, because ignorant faithful wanted to burn candles; we had them removed when we found out about them: in spite of that, the wooden cross was one day set on fire. I heard that our Mother Prioress had an inscription put up to recall the defense of the Church.

And iuxta 13 interr. proc. mad. 46 replied:

We have in Carmel many relics of the Servant of God. I do not believe that all these objects preserved even since Sister Thérèse's early childhood were initially reserved by persuasion of her holiness: but the nuns and particularly her Sisters, loved her very much and kept all these family memories out of affection. . One or two of us, however, had a presentiment of his glorification; thus one of us took care to keep her hair cut from time to time in accordance with the rule of the Monastery. I have not heard that at the death of the Servant of God or during the exhumation of September 6, 1910, anything was taken from the body of Sister Thérèse.

In this last circumstance, Monsignor the Bishop had formally forbidden it. It seems that a workman who had taken a piece of clothing, found a fragment of adherent bone there. Monsignor the Bishop has had it returned. “These relics that we have have never been exhibited in the chapel or in the oratories. They are kept locked up in a storage room. We were sent a fairly large number of ex-votos, we piled them on top of each other like stones on the floor of this same room. We never burn candles in front of these relics, as I said, the candles sent to us are lit in front of the Blessed Virgin.

To meet the countless requests made to us we send pasted on images etc. small pieces of clothing etc. : the souvenirs cannot be confused with the relics of the Saints or the Blessed placed in reliquaries to be objects of liturgical worship.

And iuxta 14 interr. proc. mad. 47 replied:

There are several drawings representing the Servant of God, because her sister (Sister Geneviève) composes and draws them herself. These different compositions are well known, since they have been reproduced either as separate images or to illustrate the story of his life. As everyone can realize, none of these images has rays or a halo, nor any of the attributes that the Church reserves for the Saints.

The originals of these compositions that we keep at Carmel are not the object of public and ecclesiastical worship, care is taken not to place them on altars or in sacred places. They are sometimes shown to visitors to satisfy their pious curiosity, but they are not exposed to public veneration like those of the Saints.

We have in the chapter room a statuette representing the Child Jesus at whose feet Sister Thérèse receives roses which she throws on the ground. The Child Jesus is haloed and Sister Thérèse is not. This statue that was given to us exists only in this single copy, and the few photographs that were taken from it are not delivered to the public. This statue, any more than the drawings or paintings, is not the object of any public worship.

Sr Mary of the Trinity

I was present at the Servant of God's last moments. She died in our monastery on Thursday September 30, 1897 in the infirmary around 7 o'clock in the evening. I have noted nothing in particular in the honors then paid to his mortal remains except for the exceptionally large influx of the faithful who came to have rosaries and pious objects touched while his body was exposed to the choir screen.

And juxtaposed 11 interr. proc. fol 50 replied:

There is no doubt that devotion to the Servant of God exists: it manifested itself from the first publication of her biography. From then on, people began to write to us asking for images, relics, prayers, etc. From that time too, our Reverend Mother thought of keeping these letters and asked me to classify them. The number of these correspondences has gone on increasing: it has increased extraordinarily since the process of Beatification began. I will give an idea of ​​what it is today by saying that since I gave evidence at the information trial, that is to say for only six months, we have spent in satisfying the requests approximately three hundred thousand images (I do not include in this number the images inserted in the various works and brochures published on Sister Thérèse). Over the past year, the proportion of the number of images requested has doubled. I also noted in the correspondence the number of letters of thanksgiving. From January to June 1910 there were one thousand and thirty-four. This year 1911, in the same period of time, from January to June the number has almost tripled, I counted three thousand and seventy-five. We are familiar with the decree of Urban VIII on the prohibition of the public worship of Servants and Servants of God who have not yet been beatified. As soon as there was any question in the public of the holiness of Sister Thérèse, our Mother recommended that we watch over the execution of these decrees, and we comply with them faithfully. When in the letters sent by the faithful we notice that, through ignorance or inadvertence, someone fails to follow these rules, we hasten to warn them to abstain from the forbidden manifestations. to my knowledge of the litanies or formulas of prayers in honor of the Servant of God. We are sometimes asked in the letters if there are novena formulas. We invariably reply that there is none and that it is only necessary to recite the prayer to obtain the beatification of the Servant of God, a prayer whose text has been approved by the Bishop of Bayeux. There is never a liturgical ceremony in our chapels in honor of the Servant of God. When ex-votos are sent to us, which is quite frequent, we hide them in a deposit room, while waiting for the Church to decide on the Beatification of the Servant of God.

And juxtaposed 12 in ter. proc. mad. 51 terg. replied:

The tomb of the Servant of God is in the town cemetery; I haven't seen it, but I've heard it said and I have one of the photographs. I also know, because it has been said enough, that the exhumation and transfer of the remains of Sister Thérèse to a neighboring tomb was carried out under the presidency of the Bishop on September 6, 1910. Many people come on pilgrimage at the tomb of Sister Thérèse. I know this from the report of the Tour Sisters, and also from the correspondence where we are very often asked for the way to the cemetery and other indications, to the point that we had to have a small plan printed to serve as an answer and save us a excessive work.

Et ulterius, fol. 52 sequitur:

To prevent pilgrims from indulging in demonstrations contrary to the laws of the Church, our Mother Prioress had an inscription placed near the tomb reminding us that candles etc. should not be lit. The faithful, without knowing it, sometimes infringed these rules by lighting candles, one of the wooden crosses had even been burned. I also heard our Mother say that she had given orders to the guardian of the cemetery to remove these candles if they were put.

And iuxta 13 interr. proc. mad. 52 terg. replied:

We keep many memories of the Servant of God in Carmel, her hair, her clothes, and a multitude of objects that were used by her. We even preserved objects that belonged to him in his childhood or during his stay in the world. Many of these objects had at first been kept by simple family affection; they have now become very valuable. — But as far as I am concerned, having known the Servant of God for the last three years of her life, I was convinced from that time that she was a saint, that is why I had great care to keep everything that was a souvenir of her, such as her hair, her writings etc. — All these objects are kept very preciously here in boxes and cupboards; we work (Sister Geneviève especially) to arrange the most remarkable memories in cases. All these caskets remain locked in a deposit room with the ex-votos, which I have already mentioned in answering the XIth question. They are never displayed in the church or on the altars; they are not placed among the Reliquaries of the Saints or the Blessed. They are not worshiped publicly. — When candles are sent to us to burn during a novena, to obtain a grace through the intercession of the Servant of God, we burn them exclusively before the altar of the Blessed Virgin or before the image of the Holy Face. . — To respond to the requests of the faithful, we send small parcels of clothes or various objects that were used by the Servant of God; but we take precautions to prevent these memories from being assimilated to the relics of the Saints and the Blessed. Thus we attach to certain shipments of more important souvenirs a printed note conforming to the model that I am depositing.

And iuxta 14 interr. proc. mad. 53 terg. replied:

There are quite a large number of images of the Servant of God. Most are drawings or paintings or photographs, the work of Sister Geneviève (her sister Céline). None of these types has halos, rays, or other features forbidden by the Church. Moreover, all have been reproduced by various typographical processes and used to illustrate the various works on Sister Thérèse of the Child, Jesus. — In the painting [it is a charcoal drawing] where Sister Geneviève has represented the Servant of God on her deathbed, Sister Thérèse wears a crown of roses on her head: it is the funeral adornment of all nuns Carmelites, in accordance with the prescriptions of our particular ceremonial approved by the Congregation of Rites (Book X, ch. 3, N. 4). —

There is also a bronze statuette offered by a friend of Sister Thérèse and composed on the instructions of our Mother Prioress and. of Sister Geneviève. In this work the Child Jesus is carried on a cloud and shrouded. Sister Thérèse is on earth without nimbus. The artist had not initially taken care in his model to observe these rules (the Child Jesus had no nimbus and Sister Thérèse rested like him on the cloud). Our mother forced him to redo his work and to modify these particularities so as not to be in contradiction with the rules of the Church. I know all these details because being in charge of everything concerning the images of the Servant of God, I attended all the deliberations and conversations that were held on this subject. Moreover, this statuette has not been reproduced and the mold has been destroyed. A few photographic copies of this work have been taken, as a document for our use, and this image has not been disseminated or divulged either. I have prepared the complete compendium of these various models and I deliver it to the court in support of my deposition.

These paintings and drawings adorn various interior rooms of our Community, but no public worship is given to them, they are not placed above the altars, nor in sacred places. We. nor do you burn candles in front of these images.

Marie-Elisabeth de Ste-Thérèse, tour driver

The Servant of God died on September 30, 1897, a Thursday, the evening at the end of the Angelus, I remember very well. Nothing special was done for her funeral: it was like for all the other Carmelite nuns. It is true that there was a considerable influx either to attend the funeral ceremonies, or to have rosaries, rings, pictures, etc., touched on his body. But it must be said that Sister Thérèse having family in Lisieux, and having herself lived in Lisieux before entering the Carmel, this can partly explain this exceptional competition.

And iuxta 11 interr. proc. mad. 69 terg. replied:

Devotion to Sister Thérèse is certainly growing. For the past three years especially, visitors have multiplied prodigiously. Every day comes, and sometimes the little apartments at the entrance are cluttered and the port sisters are overworked. These people ask for prayers, novenas; they buy the Life of the Servant of God or images, they pray in the chapel because Sister Thérèse prayed there; they asked to be received in the visiting room, especially by our Mother and the Servant of God's two other sisters.

All these steps obviously testify to the devotion of the faithful for Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Our Mother has had the following notice posted in the little store where pilgrims go, which I present to the tribunal:

REVIEWS

“Persons who wish to recommend themselves to the prayers of the Community are humbly requested to make known their intentions in writing or through the intermediary of the sisters. Because of the large number of pilgrims, the Carmelites had to, in order to safeguard the retirement imposed on them by the rule, resolve to refuse the interviews in the parlor which are too frequently requested of them. They only go there in very rare and exceptional cases. It is impossible for them to provide a guide to people who wish to visit the tomb of the Servant of God, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Pilgrims can be led there by the guardian of the cemetery”.

I don't know what is done in the inner choir or in the rooms of the Community, because the Tourières Sisters are not admitted there; but for the public and exterior chapel, I know very well that there have never been any prayers or public ceremonies there in honor of Sister Thérèse; that there is no memory or image of the Servant of God in this chapel. When pilgrims brought us ex-votos, I transmitted them inside the Monastery, according to the order that was given to me and I do not know where our Mother places them.

When candles are brought to us, which is frequent, we are ordered to pass them on also inside the Carmel and to explain clearly to the pilgrims that these candles will be burned in front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin and not near the images of the Servant of God.

And juxtaposed 12 interr. proc. mad. 70 terg. replied:

I was present at the Servant of God's burial and I followed the procession to the cemetery. The body was buried in a part of this cemetery purchased for the burial of the Carmelites and bounded by an iron gate. Previously the Carmel buried its nuns in another portion of land, which had been filled, was replaced by the new acquisition of which I spoke. Sister Thérèse was the first to be buried in this new concession. His tomb was in the corner at the back and on the right as you entered.

This grave was dug deeply because, for reasons of economy, it was thought possible in the future to place other coffins above the first. There was on this tomb a wooden cross, as is customary for the Carmelites with the simple inscription of the name “Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus” and below this sentence of the Servant of God. "I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth."

On September 6, 1910, the coffin was extracted from this first grave and placed in another nearby grave. I was also present at this operation with my two companions. The Bishop of Bayeux presided over it, assisted by a fairly large number of priests. There were also two doctors. The entire interior of the field had been concealed from view by means of a canvas closure. Outside this enclosure the crowd was very numerous. Priests did not wear priestly vestments; there was no liturgical ceremony: only a few prayers were recited (I no longer remember which ones) under the presidency of the Bishop. The old coffin with the bones it contained was enclosed in a lead coffin, this one in an oak coffin and the whole deposited in a new pit, forward and to the left on entering. At the bottom of this pit, the site of the coffin had been built. I think we made this change to better ensure the conservation of the Servant of God's bones. This new tomb has no other special ornament than the flowers arranged in large numbers by the faithful. I know that pilgrimages to this tomb are increasing day by day. Either I or my tour companions go to the cemetery up to twice a week and we always find people there praying, reciting the rosary and so on.

Pilgrims who do not know the laws of the Church often bring candles there; they even set fire to a wooden cross, which had to be replaced by an iron cross. We put an inscription to warn that we should not light candles, and when we find some during our visits, we do not fail to remove them.

And iuxta 13 interr. proc. mad. 71 terg. replied:

I have heard that inside the Monastery there are many memories of the Servant of God. I saw some of them around, like her hair, her Carmelite clothes, her instruments of penance, etc. I also know that on the occasion of the exhumation of September 6, some boards detached from the first coffin and some fragments of the clothes with which she had been buried were brought back to the Community; I witnessed this fact, in our duties as portress. I do not believe that either at the time of death or at the time of the exhumation any part of the body of the Servant of God was removed. I only heard that on the day of the exhumation the son of the carpenter who had made the coffin took a piece of clothing to which a small bone adhered, and that he returned this small bone to the community, but I do not haven't seen it.

The relics of Sister Thérèse, which are kept in the Community, are never brought into the chapel and I have never seen anyone pay them any liturgical worship.

We give to the faithful who ask for it, small bags or pictures filled with pieces of clothes etc. .... of the Servant of God: these little bags are given free of charge, as for the images, they are sold for the value of the image only.

And iuxta 14 interr. proc. mad. 72 terg. replied:

We sell in our little shop various images of the Servant of God; these images are known to everyone. None of these images represent the Servant of God with a halo or with rays. I saw my Sister Geneviève's paintings when they were brought back from the framer. But they are never taken out of the inner monastery to be exhibited in the chapel for the devotion of the faithful.

Auguste Ferdinand Acard sexton of Carmel

I was present at the funeral of the Servant of God on September 30, 1897. The nuns of the monastery did nothing extraordinary for her, but there were many more people; during the two or three days that it was exhibited there was an uninterrupted coming and going. I have the impression that this great crowd of people is not sufficiently explained by family relations in the city of Lisieux, and that most were attracted by a special feeling of veneration for the Servant of God.

And iuxta 11 interr. proc. mad. 74- replied:

I notice that the movement of devotion to the Servant of God is growing from year to year. I can judge by the continual comings and goings of people who come to pray in the chapel. The number also increases of priests who ask to say Holy Mass in the chapel. They come from all countries and out of devotion to Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. On certain days of this present year I had to prepare in the sacristy up to eight and ten masses, this number is exceptional, but every day there were one or two.

In the manifestations of this devotion I have never seen anything resembling ecclesiastical ceremonies or public worship. I never saw in the chapel neither the images nor the relics of Sister Thérèse; nor have I ever heard any formulas of prayers addressed to him directly.

Ex-votos are brought; there are about thirty of them, but they are put on the floor in a small apartment in the Monastery where I saw them.

And juxtaposed 12 interr. proc. mad. 74 terg. replied:

I was present at the burial of Sister Thérèse as I attend the burial of all the nuns. She was buried first in the newly purchased land for the burial of the Carmelites. There was no mark of honor on this grave. I thus attended the burial which was made on September 6, 1910. The coffin was found to be completely damaged and it had to be consolidated with new boards, the body had remained in the state of a skeleton. Monsignor the Bishop was present, we recited the psalm: Laudate, pueri, Dominum, without further demonstration of worship. What remained of the old coffin and the body of the Servant of God were enclosed in a leaded coffin and buried in a pit or a sort of small vault located five or six meters from the old tomb. No part of the body of the Servant of God was taken; only the small wooden cross she held in her hand was taken and which was given to the Bishop. We also collected a sterilized palm, some pieces of clothing and some boards from the old coffin.

There was a large crowd, although no invitation was extended and the project was kept secret. During the exhumation work, canvases stretched around the enclosure prevented the public from seeing the surroundings of the tomb. Before practicing the new burial, the canvases were removed, and the assistants paraded in silence in front of the body, most of them touching rosaries, crosses and other objects of piety.

Since this second burial, the pilgrimage competition has resumed in greater numbers than ever. I go to the cemetery quite often to clean up and put things in order. I go there about once a month, and I work there almost all day. I notice then that there is an almost uninterrupted coming and going of the faithful. These pilgrims pray, place flowers on the grave, small papers on which they have written their requests or their thanks. They also write in pencil on the cross which is covered with these inscriptions. I have never seen any religious ceremony at the tomb. I don't think candles were placed on the tomb frequently, I only noticed it once or twice: it was the work of ignorant and unknown pilgrims. These candles once set fire to a celluloid crown which was at the foot of the cross, and this wooden cross was partly burned. It was then replaced by an iron cross and an inscription was placed to prevent the lighting of candles in the future.

And juxtaposed 13 interrupts. proc. 76 replied:

There are memories of the Servant of God in the monastery. There are many. I saw them ; they are shut up in an interior apartment of the Carmel. We made some kind of showcases to protect them from dust. These souvenirs are never brought into the chapel. I have never seen any worship ceremony performed in their presence. My job as sexton would have given me the opportunity to find out, if it had ever happened. These memories are made up above all of clothes and objects that belonged to the Servant of God. With the exception of her hair, I don't believe that any relics of her body are kept, which must be entirely in her tomb.

And juxtaposed 14 interrupts. proc. ibid. replied:

While working inside the Monastery, I could not see the various paintings and drawings representing the Servant of God; I know they are the work of Sister Geneviève. They represent, but much larger, the subjects that were used to illustrate the "Life of Sister Thérèse" or more exactly the engravings of the books are reductions of these original drawings. These paintings in the monastery are hung in various apartments, but not in chapels or on altars. Nor are they ever brought into the main chapel accessible to the public. There is neither a halo nor rays in these drawings.

Ms. Hassebroucq, in charge of Les Buissonnets

It is certain that there is a great movement of devotion which is growing day by day with regard to the Servant of God. In addition to the evidence that can be drawn from the influx of pilgrims to Carmel and the many letters addressed there, I will mention in a particular way what I observe at Les Buissonnets. Many faithful come to ask me to visit this house and in particular the room where the Servant of God, at the age of 10, was miraculously healed by an apparition of the Blessed Virgin. Since May 7, 1911, I have noted about 624 pilgrims. These pilgrims come from various countries (France, above all, then others come from England, America, Italy, Belgium, Scotland, Portugal etc.). These pilgrims show great devotion to the Servant of God and pray fervently.

In the various premises of the “Buissonnets”, there is no exhibition of relics or images contrary to the rules of the Church. The images which adorn certain apartments of this house are the very ones which illustrate the book of "the story of a soul." images or memories. In the principal chamber of which I spoke above a statue of the Blessed Virgin has been placed: it is in front of this statue that the pilgrims kneel mainly to pray.

And iuxta 12 interr. proc. mad. 85 replied:

I was not in Lisieux when the Servant of God was buried in 1897, nor even when her body was transferred in September 1910. I go to the cemetery from time to time to pray at the tomb of Sister Thérèse of 'Baby Jesus. I go there once a month, my children go there more often. Either my children or I always find pilgrims praying at the tomb.

I have never seen any manifestations of forbidden worship at the tomb. The pilgrims pray in silence, write in pencil various invocations on the cross which is completely covered with these inscriptions. I never saw any lamps or candles on the grave.

And iuxta 13 interr. proc. mad. 85 terg. replied:

There are many memories of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus in Carmel. Most of them are objects that belonged to him. 'I haven't seen any relics of his body, which I believe is entirely in the cemetery. I only saw the hair of the Servant of God in Carmel. These memories are usually kept inside the Carmel. — I have never seen them exhibited in the chapel or offered for public veneration: They are sometimes brought to show them to a privileged few; it was under these conditions that I saw them, and I do not know that candles or lamps are ever burned in front of these objects.

And iuxta 14 interr. proc. fol 86 replied:

I don't know of any images of the Servant of God other than those that are commonly put up for sale, and which are the repetition in various formats of the illustrations in “Life”. These images have no nimbus or light rays. “There are none of these images on the altars, or even anywhere in the Carmel chapel, where, as I said, I come almost every day. In no form have I seen these images displayed for public veneration. Nor have I ever seen votive plaques in honor of the Servant of God.

Father Lamy, vicar at St Jacques

I have often noticed the existence of the devotion of the faithful towards the Servant of God. This devotion not only continues, but increases every day. I can judge by the frequent requests made to me by the parishioners of St. Jacques, or by people from outside, to obtain souvenirs and relics of Sister Thérèse. I myself come almost every day to the chapel of the Carmel to recite my breviary there, and I notice in this circumstance that the faithful come there constantly and in large numbers. I have never noticed that Sister Thérèse was given the honors of public and ecclesiastical prayer, I am sure that none of this is done at St. Jacques and I have not noticed it anywhere else.

And iuxta 12 interr. proc. mad. ibid. replied:

The place of burial of the Servant of God is notorious since she was buried in the city's public cemetery. I did not attend his funeral, but I attended the exhumation which took place in September 1910. In this circumstance, the faithful who were outside the reserved enclosure recited the rosary in commmon. Inside the gate that surrounds the land reserved for the burial of the Carmelites, the Bishop was present with a number of priests. We recited psalms when the coffin was taken out of the ground, but I don't remember which psalms, because I was busy touching rosaries and religious objects passed to me by the faithful. The body was in dust, only the skeleton and the clothes remained. We enclosed these remains in a new coffin without distracting anything. A priest had taken a piece of the scapular and the Bishop ordered him to put it back. However, several people surreptitiously took a few shreds of cloth.

The faithful go to pray at this tomb. I can testify that there are daily pilgrimages, because I often go to the cemetery for parish burials and always find people praying. Most of these pilgrims recite the rosary, kiss the cross and lay flowers on the grave. I heard once that an unknown person had lit a candle whose flame had deteriorated the cross placed on the tomb, but I myself never saw these candles although I went to pray on the tomb, every time I go to the cemetery. I noticed that we had put up a sign prohibiting the lighting of candles.

And iuxta 13 in terr. proc. mad. 88 ter replied:

I have seen on several occasions some of the memories of the Servant of God that are kept in Carmel. I was then in the company of visitors being shown them. I don't know exactly what apartment they keep them in at Carmel. Among other objects, I noticed the hair of the Servant of God, her New Testament, her instruments of penance, etc. I have never seen these objects exhibited in the church or offered for public veneration.

And juxta interr. 14 p.m. mad. 89 replied:

I have often seen the images, moreover very divulged, of the Servant of God. They are found in the form of small images to put in the pious book. and in larger format in the book "The Story of a Soul". These well-known images do not have a halo, rays etc. I have never seen these images anywhere placed on the altars or offered as an object for the public veneration of the faithful. Nor did I see any candles or lamps lit in the presence of these images.

Father Georges Marie, Vicar at St Jacques

For a little over a year that I have been exercising the holy ministry in Lisieux, I have been able to observe a certain and very considerable movement in the piety of the faithful towards the Servant of God, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Thus the little children, in large numbers, to prepare for their first communion make pilgrimages to the tomb of the Servant of God and to the Chapel of Carmel; a large number of sick people (I could say “all those I have seen”) recommend themselves to the Servant of God and seek to obtain her relics.

I have never noticed in the manifestations of this devotion anything resembling the public and ecclesiastical worship prohibited by the Church. No official prayer in honor of the Servant of God is ever held in the parish Church, nor any liturgical function: neither her images nor her relics are found in the Church; in the sermons there is no mention of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus as being among the “Blessed”. Nor have I ever seen an ex-voto in his honor; now, because of my duties, I would have noticed these practices if they had been employed, at least, in the parish church of St. James.

And iuxta 12 interr. proc. mad. 91 replied:

As I said, I did not attend the funeral of the Servant of God, but I saw the tomb that everyone designates as that of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus. Moreover, last year (September 6, 1910), I was present at the exhumation of the body of the Servant of God and its transfer to a nearby grave. There was on this occasion a certain assistance of priests around Monseigneur the Bishop of Bayeux; outside the enclosure closed by grids and tarpaulins, there was an attendance of several hundred faithful. Monsignor the Bishop was in simple ratchet and stole, the ecclesiastics in city costume without sacerdotal ornaments acted as simple spectators.

There was no liturgical function: only the psalm was chanted Laudate pueri Dominum when the coffin was removed from the first grave. All that remained of the body were bones and half-consumed clothes. We took a few shreds of these clothes, a small wooden cross that the Servant of God held in her hands and a green palm. I then heard the Bishop proclaim that no part of the bones should be removed and I believe that, in fact, the body was placed whole in the new coffin.

The new tomb is located in the same enclosure of the Carmelites, which contained the first burial. The faithful go in large numbers to pray at this tomb. I know this because my duties call me almost every day to the cemetery for burials. I then noticed that there are always a few people near the Servant of God's tomb; moreover, a certain number of the faithful who take part in the funeral processions leave to go and pray at the tomb of Sister Thérèse before leaving the cemetery. In these visits many people recite the rosary. I have never seen candles lighted on this tomb; I only saw the recent sign that forbids lighting it.

And juxtaposed 13 interrupts. proc. mad. 92 replied:

I don't know in a precise and complete way which relics of the Servant of God are kept in Carmel. On two or three occasions, accompanying distinguished visitors, I saw five or six mobile showcases in which souvenirs of the Servant of God, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus were kept. We were shown these objects on tour to satisfy our pious curiosity rather than as objects of worship. I have never seen these objects exhibited in the chapel, nor have they been the subject of any liturgical manifestation.

And juxtaposed 14 interrupts. proc. 92 terg. replied:

I saw various images representing the Servant of God. These are the very ones that are found in the book of “His Life”. There are no attributes of holiness on these images. Nor have I ever seen any of these images placed on altars, either in church or offered in any way for public devotion.

Sr Magdalene of Jesus

Unfortunately I was not yet in Carmel when the Servant of God died. I only know from the story of our Sisters what happened in this circumstance, but I have not heard that anything was done for his funeral other than what is done for all the nuns.

And iuxta 11 interr. proc. mad. ibid. replied:

And iuxta 12 interr. proc. mad. 99 terg. replied:

I can only know by hearsay what concerns the tomb of the Servant of God. I was not in Carmel during the first burial. I have heard the story of the exhumation which was made on September 6, 1910. We often hear from our Tour Sisters of the competition of pilgrims who settle at the tomb of Sister Thérèse of the Child, Jesus. We knew that one of these pilgrims had lit a candle, since someone came to tell us that the cross in the tomb was a little burnt. The next day, I received from our Reverend Mother Prioress the order to have the workers prepare an iron cross and an inscription to warn that this form of devotion is prohibited.

And iuxta 13 interr. proc. photo. 100 answered:

We treasure in Carmel objects that belonged to the Servant of God; we call them “Memories” rather than “Relics”, in order to clearly distinguish them from the Relics of the Saints and also because they are rather objects for his use than remains of his body. Nothing was taken from his body, either at the time of his death or at the time of the exhumation made last year. In this last circumstance in particular, the Bishop had expressly forbidden to take any of the remains of the Servant of God. A workman having appropriated a piece of clothing, a small fragment of bone was stuck there. Warned of this fact, our Reverend Mother warned the Bishop and took action to have this bone returned to the Carmel, which was done. Apart from this parcel, we have no other remains of the Servant of God's body other than what was removed during her life; her hair, a tooth (another was sent to Cardinal Gotti) and a fragment of skin that a nursing Sister, in charge of lifting a blister during the Servant of God's last illness, took care to keep.

These memories we keep with great respect. The most precious were placed in boxes, by the care of some of our Sisters. All these objects are kept not in an oratory, but incognito in a room which has been assigned for this purpose.

In this room there are no lighted candles, no lamps or any sign of worship. Sometimes these memories are taken out of storage to show them to some pious pilgrims. But in this case, there is nothing resembling an “Ostension of holy relics”. It is in turn that we bring the boxes and never in the church. They are placed on an ordinary table and never on an altar or among the relics of the Saints; and the marks of reverence given, then those to whom they are shown do not exceed the bounds of private worship. We are continually asked in correspondence for some souvenir of the Servant of God. To meet these requests we send fragments of fabrics, clothes etc. pasted on pictures or enclosed in small bags of cloth or paper. These images and these sachets bear the seal of the Vice-Postulator. When we send a slightly more important keepsake, which is only done exceptionally, we attach a small note to the shipment to point out that these keepsakes cannot be placed with the relics of the Saints.

Quite often we are sent votive plaques in thanksgiving for the favors received through the intercession of the Servant of God. We place these tablets in this private apartment which contains, as I said, the memories of Sister Thérèse. In this room, the ex-votos are not fixed to the wall, but placed on the floor on the floor and stacked on top of each other.

And iuxta 14 interr. proc. mad. 101 replied:

There are paintings in the Carmel, some drawn in charcoal, others painted in oil, representing the Servant of God at different periods of her life. These paintings are the work of one of her Carmelite sisters. These paintings have all been reproduced in reduction to illustrate the book of “His Life” and to satisfy the requests of the faithful. I don't know of any other type of these images. Now it is easy to see from the reproductions of the book that these representations do not include a halo or rays.

These images are not in the Carmel the object of public worship and a fortiori liturgical: they are not exposed on altars, but hung here and there on the walls of the rooms. We never light candles or lamps to honor these images.

We also have in the Carmel a small bronze statue representing Sister Thérèse in prayer at the feet of the Child Jesus. In this composition, the Servant of God does not wear any of the attributes that the Church reserves for the Saints. Besides, this statue is kept inside the Carmel in the Chapter room.

Testis (2 ex off.) RP Aubey, vicar at St Pierre

I know not only from public renown but from my personal connections that a large number of souls have devotion and trust in the Servant of God Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus, that many invoke her, make pilgrimages to places which she lived. I know from the functions of my ministry that the sick have recourse to his intercession. These are not isolated facts: it is a fairly general state of mind. — However, I have not noticed any liturgical manifestation of this devotion. There have never been any prayers or public ceremonies in honor of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus at the cathedral.

And iuxta 12 interr. proc. mad. 104b g. replied:

I did not attend the funeral or the exhumation of the Servant of God, but, because of my ministry, I go to the city cemetery at least twice a month. Almost every time I noticed the presence of some faithful at the Servant of God's tomb. These visitors were in the attitude of prayer. I did not notice anything in the acts of these pilgrims which was contrary to the Decrees of the Church or which expressed a public and official worship. I have never seen candles lit on the tomb. In fact of votive plaques I have never seen any in this place or elsewhere anywhere. I only noticed that the cross placed on the tomb was covered with pencil inscriptions; I have read some of these inscriptions: they express requests, invocations to the Servant of God. I also noticed papers on the tombstone, handwritten petitions placed at the foot of the cross.

And iuxta 13 interr. proc. mad. 105 replied:

I once saw a few boxes in Carmel, one of which contained the hair of the Servant of God and the others objects that had been used by her (instruments of penance, etc.). These objects had been shown temporarily to some ecclesiastics.

They were not presented in the church, nor even outside the church, as the Relics of the Saints are presented for the veneration of the faithful, but rather as objects of pious curiosity. I don't know if there are other relics in the Carmet than these.

And juxtaposed 14 interrupts. proc. mad. ibid. replied:

In fact, I only know of images of the Servant of God that are commonly put up for sale. I have never noticed on these images known to everyone any of the signs that the Church reserves for canonized Saints. I have never seen either in St. Peter's Church or elsewhere that these images are the object of public worship. We don't place them on the altars, we don't burn candles in front of them.

Mary of the Angels

I, the undersigned Sister Marie of the Angels and of the Sacred Heart, with my hand on the Holy Gospels of God, swear and promise to tell the truth on all questions that will be put to me; and that under pain of perjury; so help me God and his Holy Gospels.

I swore as above.

Signatum: Sr. Marie of the Angels and of the Sacred Heart

My name is Marie Julie Jeanne de Chaumontel, in religion Sister Marie of the Angels and of the Sacred Heart, born February 24, 1845 in Montpinon, diocese of Bayeux. — I have been a nun of the Carmel of Lisieux since 1866: I made my profession there on March 25, 1868. I was Novice Mistress of the Servant of God, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and I shared her life in Carmel for all the time she was there.

Interrogated an sciat Servam Dei in hoc coenobio habitasse et obiisse, replied:

It is indeed in this monastery of Lisieux that Sister Thérèse spent her holy religious life and that she made the most admirable of deaths. I was a direct witness to all these events.

Interrogata quaenam sint coenobii loca quae specialius memoria referunt Servae Dei, respondit:

1.° The oratory where she painted a fresco; 2.° the Choir; 3.° the Refectory; 4.° his cell; 5.° the Archives; 6.° Finally the infirmary where she died.

Interrogata num in his Iocis inveniantur imaginis vel alia quae publicum redoleant, respondit:

In none of these places are there any images of the Servant of God contrary to the Decrees of the Holy Church: her images have no halos or rays: or you do not worship them liturgically, you do not do not light up in front of his images of candles or lamps. His relics are not the object of any cult either. I know that this is so, since living in Carmel, I can observe the layout of these premises daily. I filed as above for the truth.

Signatum: Sister Marie of the Angels and of the Sacred Heart.

beloved of jesus

I, the undersigned Sister Aimee of Jesus and of the Heart of Mary, with my hand on the Holy Gospels of God, swear and promise to tell the truth on all the questions that will be put to me and this under penalty of perjury: so that God be in me help and his holy Gospels.

I swore as above.

Signatum: Sister Aimee of Jesus of the Heart of Mary.

Questioning of nominees etc. replied:

My name is Léopoldine Féron, in religion Sister Aimée of Jesus and of the Heart of Mary, born on January 24, 1851 in Anneville-en-Saire, diocese of Coutances. I entered the Carmel of Lisieux in October 1871 and made my profession on May 8, 1873. I was therefore in the Carmel at the time of the Servant of God.

Interrogated an possit testificari Servam Dei Theresiam a Puero Jesu reapse ibi vixisse et decessisse, replied:

I can affirm that it was in this Carmel that Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus lived and died. I witnessed all the events of her religious life and I also know that she died in the infirmary located on the ground floor, at the corner of the cloister.

Interrogata de praecipuis locis quae documenta retain Servae Dei respondit:

1.° The Oratory. — 2.° The Choir. — 3.° The Chapter Hall. — 4.° The Refectory. — 5. Its cells. — 6. The recreation or community hall. — 7.° The depot or chamber of memories. — 8.° The Infirmary.

Interrogata an in Monasterio et praecipue in praefatis locis sint aliqua quae cultum ecclesiasticum redoleant, respondit:

Nowhere in our Monastery have liturgical ceremonies ever been held in honor of the Servant of God. The images that adorn the premises designated above do not have a halo or any of the attributes of the Saints or Blessed: no candles are burned in front of their images or relics.

I filed as above according to the truth.

Signatum: Sister Aimee of Jesus of the Heart of Mary.

[Follows a site visit]

I. Oratory (Map - Ground floor W.)

This oratory communicates with the sanctuary of the main chapel through an opening fitted with a grille. In this opening the Holy Sacrament is exposed to the adoration of the nuns.

Surrounding this “exhibition” is a fresco representing angels in adoration, the work of the Servant of God.

II. Statue of the Child Jesus, known as the Child Jesus of Sister Thérèse.

(Map - Ground floor N. 11).

The Servant of God took religious care to adorn this statue placed against a pillar of the cloister with flowers. In memory of the Servant of God, this statue is always very ornate with flowers and lights.

III. Nuns' Choir (Map - Ground floor, N. G).

Nothing special except that the third stall on the right towards the gate bears on a small copper plate this engraved inscription:

“Last stall occupied by Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus”.

IV. Refectory (Map - Ground floor 0).

A small engraved plaque marks each of the four places successively occupied by the Servant of God.

V. Community or Recreation Hall.

(Map - Ground floor S).

We see an oil painting, the work of Sister Geneviève, representing the Servant of God with a harp as an attribute. Item a large charcoal painting representing Thérèse at 15 at the feet of SS Leo XIII. These drawings have been reproduced and popularized in particular in the large edition of the "Story of a Soul".

VI. Infirmary of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

(Map - Ground floor U).

It was in this infirmary that the Servant of God died. The bed on which she died was left in its place. On the wall was hung a charcoal painting, the work of Sister Geneviève, representing the Servant of God on her deathbed, the reduction of this painting is included in the illustration of the volume “Story of a Soul”. On the door of this infirmary overlooking the cloister, and outside an engraved plaque bears this inscription: "Infirmary where fell asleep in the Lord charged with virtues and merits, Our Venerable Mother Geneviève of Saint Thérèse Foundress of this Carmel , and the little victim of the merciful love Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face (5 X.bre 1891 - 30 7.bre 1897).

VII. Novitiate or meeting room for Novices.

(Map - Floor R).

In this room for pious meetings, which is not an oratory in the liturgical sense, hangs on the wall, with images of piety, the portrait of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus,

VIII. Chapter room where the Servant of God made her Profession.

(Map - Floor I).

In this room, in the corner to the left of the entrance, is placed on a pedestal a bronze statuette: the haloed Child Jesus, standing on clouds, leans with one hand on the cross draped with the Holy Shroud marked with the Holy Face; with his left hand he raises a section of the Holy Shroud thus forming a pocket filled with roses. Lower down, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus, without nimbus and placed on the ground, bends one knee; she has an attitude of prayer and with one hand collects roses which with the other she scatters on the ground. On a scroll an inscription bears these two words of the Servant of God: “I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth”. - "After my death I will make it rain a shower of roses".

IX. Oratory of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

(Map - Floor J).

This room is close to the chapter room and forms the vestibule of the cell (Fe) of the Servant of God. On a small altar (where Holy Mass is not said) was placed the miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin who, one day, came to life and smiled at the Servant of God who was then 10 years old. — The altar is very adorned with flowers, — candles are lighted before the statue of Mary. On each side, two cups where the supplications and requests for prayers sent by the faithful are placed. Hung on the walls of this room, charcoal paintings, the work of Sister Geneviève, paintings which have all been known by the reduced reproduction which is in the “Story of a soul”. Namely: 1°. Thérèse at 4 years old with her mother. 2° Thérèse at 15 with her father. 3°. Thérèse on the day of her First Communion. 4°. Bust portrait of Sister Thérèse, Carmelite at 23 years old.

X. Last cell occupied by the Servant of God (from August 1894).

(Map - Floor Fc.)

On the door which communicates with the oratory previously described, a copper plate with this engraved inscription: “Last cell inhabited by Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

Inside the cell, nothing special.

XI. Chamber of the deposit of the Souvenirs of Sister Thérèse.

(Map - Floor K).

This room is an ordinary cell assigned to the deposit of the memories of the Servant of God. We notice there:

About forty votive plaques, in marble, stacked on the floor.

Two wooden crosses brought from the cemetery, namely the cross which was placed on the first grave and the one which, placed on the 1st grave, was damaged by the fire communicated by a lighted candle. These crosses are literally covered with "Graffiti" in pencil, expressing invocations to the Servant of God or thanksgiving.

Several silk boxes closed by glass, some placed on the furniture, others hung on the walls and containing the most beautiful memories of the Servant of God, in particular 1. Her baptismal dress. — 2. The dress she wore when, as a little child, she threw flowers before the Blessed Sacrament on Corpus Christi. — 3. Her First Communion dress. — 4. The hair cut on the day of her clothing. — 5. A cilice, a horsehair belt!, a discipline, an iron mesh bracelet with spikes; — a small cross in iron mail with spikes. A few other objects for his use. — 6. A copy of the New Testament which she had carried on her heart since 1896; it contains the Apostles' Creed written with her hand and with her blood when she struggled against painful temptations against the faith, towards the end of her life. —- 7. Another, larger copy of the New Testament, which she wore before 1896. — 8. A molar tooth extracted in 1884 and preserved with a note written by Mr. Martin, father of the Servant of God. — 9. The act of consecration to merciful Love written by the hand of the Servant of God. — 10. The Crucifix which she wore on the day of her taking the habit and which was placed in her hands on her deathbed. (Another Crucifix that she carried during her life was given to her sister Léonie, nun of the Visitation of Caen). — 11. Boards detached from the first coffin of the Servant of God during the exhumation of September 6, 1910. — 12. A wreath of cornflowers (flowers) with which the Servant of God adorned the image of the Blessed Virgin and of roses that she plucked from her crucifix in the last days of her life. — 13. The sterilized palm placed and found in its first coffin; — of the wood of this coffin and the remains of clothing extracted from this first coffin during the exhumation of September 6, 1910.

Also locked in a wardrobe a white stole with ornamentation of flowers painted on satin, painting made by the Servant of God; — item a black chasuble decorated with painted lilies [sic] and the Holy Face in the middle, the work of the Servant of God.

Drawers and closed boxes contain clothes worn at various times by the Servant of God, and in particular Carmelite clothes; — item of hair cut from time to time, according to the rule, during his religious life. Finally, closed cupboards contain a large quantity of objects that belonged to the Servant of God even in her earliest childhood.

XII. Chapel and exterior sacristy.

(Map - Ground floor, defJ)

They contain no memory of the Servant of God.

Marie Hassebroucq

"I, the undersigned Marie Hassebroucq, hand on the Holy Gospels of God, swear and promise to tell the truth on all questions that will be put to me, and this is a penalty of perjury: so help me God and his holy Gospels.

I swore as above.

Signature:

Marie Hassebroucq

My name is Marie Elisabeth Hassebroucq, born September 13, 1893 in Comines, diocese of Cambrai. I have been living in Les Buissonnets with my mother and my sisters for six months.

Interrogata an sciât hune esse locum in quo Serva Dei mansit, respondit:

The house we live in is the property of Doctor La Néele, first cousin of the Servant of God. It is well known that this property called the "Buissonnets" is indeed the one where Thérèse Martin lived with her father and her sisters from her arrival in Lisieux at the age of four and a half in 1, until her entry into the Carmel in 1877. My mother rented this dwelling precisely, out of devotion to Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

We find in the layout of the premises the particularities described by the Servant of God herself in the story of her life.

Interrogated an in his locis fiat ecclesiasticus et publicus cultus in honorem Servae Dei, answered:

Many pilgrims come to Les Buissonnets and ask to visit this house out of devotion to the Servant of God. These pilgrims have the memories of Sister Thérèse explained to them, they kneel on the kneelers that have been used by her, say the rosary, have pious objects, images etc. touched. But there are no images anywhere in the house representing the Servant of God with rays or halos: candles are not lit in the presence of these images or objects that belonged to her.

I filed as above according to the truth.

Signed: Marie Hassebroucq

Maryelle de la Tour d'Auvergne

"I, the undersigned Maryelle de la Tour d'Auvergne, with my hand on the Holy Gospels of God, swear and promise to tell the truth on all questions that will be put to me and this under penalty of perjury, so help me God and his Holy Gospels.

Quo juramento praestito, interrogavit eam RD Promotor Fiscalis, de nomine, patria etc. cui illa replied:

My name is Maryelle Françoise de la Tour d'Auvergne, born January 16, 1881 in Versailles. I have been living in Les Buissonnets for six months.

Interrogata de dispositioue hujusce loci respondit:

I came here at the kind invitation of Madame Hassebroucq; I find in the house the memories of the life of the Servant of God Thérèse of the Child Jesus. We particularly notice the room where she was cured around the age of 10 by an apparition of the Blessed Virgin.

Interrogata de concursu peregrinorum et de cultu Servae Dei exhibito, answered:

I was very surprised to see the competition of pilgrims established here. They come every day: they pray with great fervor, especially in front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin placed in the room where Thérèse was cured. But in the house, strictly speaking, there is no official and public worship of the Servant of God. None of his images have nimbus or rays; none are placed on altars or even in the place of honor in the apartments of the house; with all the more reason no candles are burned in his honour.

I filed as above according to the truth.

Signatum: Maryelle de la Tour d'Auvergne

The Property known as Les Buissonnets is located towards the limit of the town of Lisieux and the surrounding countryside, on the north side. It includes a small entrance courtyard laid out like an English garden; a dwelling house with two floors in front and only one floor behind because of the slope of the land; finally behind the house a large vegetable garden. In the dining room, on the ground floor overlooking the courtyard, the same pieces of furniture which furnished this room in the time of Mr. Martin, father of the Servant of God, have been preserved in their respective places. There are here and there, in the apartments by way of ornament, hung on the walls one or the other of the images which illustrate the book of "History of a soul". The only particularly interesting room from the point of view of the trial is the bedroom located towards the west end of the house, on the 1st floor on the side of the courtyard and lit by the first three windows on this side. This room is the one where the Servant of God was cared for during her illness, at the age of 10, and where she was favored by an apparition of the Blessed Virgin. A statue of the Blessed Virgin has been placed on a cupboard forming a console, on the very spot where the miraculous statue which is now in Carmel was similarly placed. In front of this small sanctuary, two kneelers which the Servant of God used. The bed was laid out as it was during the Servant of God's illness and miraculous healing. It is in this room that the pilgrims come by preference: they kneel on the kneelers placed in front of the image of the Blessed Virgin. — On the walls various images identical to those found in the book “Story of a Soul” and in the alcove the portrait of the Servant of God which is on the frontispiece of the said book.

We also sometimes visit "the Belvedere" which is an adjourned room with four windows, and located on the 2nd floor on the courtyard. The Servant of God speaks of this “Belvedere” in the story of her life. This room does not contain any objects of worship.

Gaultier (Father) [by Pierre Gaultier]

"I, the undersigned Pierre Gaultier, head warden of the cemetery of Lisieux, hand on the Holy Gospels, swear and promise to tell the truth on the questions that will be put to me: and this under penalty of perjury: so may God help me and his Holy Gospels.

Signature: Father Gaultier

Gaultier Pierre junior witness summoned

Quo praestito juramento, Rñdus Promotor Fiscalis interrogavit praefatum testem de nomine, patria, aetate etc. . . . how he replied:

Interrogatus au sciat ubi Serva Dei Theresia a Puero Jesu fuerit tumulata, answered:

When I arrived at my position as cemetery caretaker, Sister Thérèse had already been buried for more than two years. But there is no doubt that her tomb was number 1 in the first row at the back and on the right touching the wall, in the special enclosure reserved for the Carmelites, and in addition to the cross bearing the inscription "Sister Thérèse of the 'Child Jesus', the public testimony proved without any possible hesitation that Sister Thérèse was indeed buried at the place I have mentioned. — Besides, I was present at the exhumation carried out on September 6, 1910, and I worked there. The coffin extracted from the first grave contained the remains of the young Carmelite. He was then transferred with all the remains that he contained in the tomb placed on the left while entering and surrounded by a paving of bricks. In this tomb was built a vault which itself contains the old coffin enclosed in a double coffin of lead and oak.

Interrogatus an sit circa praedictum sepulchrum species aliqua cultus ecclesiastici, respondit:

Many pilgrims come to pray at this tomb: I see them every day and from all countries; the current average seems to me to be 80 a day. We pray on the tomb, but we do not perform ceremonies there as in the church. Only once did I realize that a candle had been lit there which had ignited the wreaths placed on the tomb: since then there has been an inscription forbidding it and it is no longer lit.

I filed as above according to the truth.

Signature: Father Gaultier

Gaultier Pierre son, summoned witness.

Dr La Neele

I, the undersigned Francisque La Néele, Doctor of Medicine, with my hand on the Holy Gospels of God, swear and promise to tell the truth on the questions that will be put to me, and this under penalty of perjury so that God may help me and his Holy Gospels.

I swore as above.

Signature: Dr. La Néele

Quo juramento praestito, Rmus Dñus Promotor Fiscalis interrogavit Testem de uomine, patria, etc. cui ille respondit dicens:

My name is Francisque La Néele, doctor of medicine residing in Lisieux, rue Paul Banaston, 19. I was born on October 18, 1858 in Paris. The Servant of God, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus was my wife's first cousin.

Interrogatus an sciat ubi corpus Servae Dei fuerit inhumatum, respondit:

I was present at her burial and the land where she was buried is owned by our family. She was buried in the corner of this Carmel plot, at the bottom and to the right as you enter, that is to say in the northeast corner. This first grave was dug very deep, because it was intended to put another coffin above the first. I also attended the change of burial carried out on September 6, 1910, on the order and under the presidency of the Bishop of Bayeux. We proposed in this translation to ensure the conservation of the remains of the Servant of God and the ease of finding them later. Monsignor the Bishop had wanted to ask me to recognize in my quality of doctor the identity and the state of the remains. It is in this capacity that I signed the exhumation report. There is no doubt that the coffin removed from the first grave contained the body of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus in the state described, minutely recorded. The coffin containing his remains was enclosed in a lead coffin, and the latter in an oak coffin, all provided with seals bearing the arms of Monseigneur Lemonnier and of Mgr de Teil Vice-Postulator. The inner coffin also contains a lead tube containing an authentic copy of the exhumation report. Everything was placed in a small vault, covered with earth and located immediately to the left when entering the Enclosure (1st row) towards the south-west corner. This site is distinguished externally by a paving of bricks with which it was surrounded, because of the influx of pilgrims.

Interrogatus an sciât utrum sit circa hoc sepulchrum aliquis cultus publicus, respondit:

I come to the cemetery quite often, at least every three months, and my wife comes more often. I know that many pilgrims come there, but I have never seen any manifestation of liturgical worship at the tomb of the Servant of God. Of course, I heard in Carmel that a candle had been lit and caused the cross to deteriorate, but I myself never saw candles lit on the tomb. Pilgrims generally pray in silence or recite the Rosary.

I filed as above according to the truth.

Signature:

Dr. La Néele.

His peractis, idem Rmus Judex, una cum Promotore Fiscali et Testibus infrascriptis specialiter vocatis, meque Notario Actuario, coemeterii communis et Servae Dei sepulcbri externam dispositionem et formam anticipation inspexit mihique Notario mandavit ut sepulchrum necnon circumposita loca describerem, quod et feci sequenti modo, annuente RD Fisci Promoter, videlicet:

The large cemetery common to the various parishes of Lisieux, is outside the town, at a distance of about one kilometer from the last houses, on the south side, in the territory of the parish of St. Jacques. It extends in the shape of an elongated rectangle from west to east over a length of about 300 meters and a width of 100 to 150 meters. Towards the east end and in the southeast corner, there is a rectangular space bounded by a small brick wall surmounted by an iron gate. This space is assigned to the burial of the Carmelites; it measures about 10 meters in length (west, east.) and 5 m. 50 in width (North-South). The entrance to the enclosure is formed by an ascending step and a small door in the iron gate, in the middle of the south side. In this ground there is first, along the north side, a row of seven tombs. The last, on the right, of these seven tombs in the northeast corner of the concession no longer bears a cross: it is a simple irregular mound of disturbed earth; it is the site of the first burial of the Servant of God.

In front of this row of seven tombs there is a second row in formation, therefore further south and towards the entrance. To the right of the entrance a single tomb which occupies approximately the middle of the space between the entrance door and the western wall. This tomb is the current burial place of the Servant of God, she has been resting there since September 6, 1910. The space surrounding this tomb has been consolidated with brick paving, at a distance of about 0 m. 80 all around. On the tomb is fixed an iron cross, painted white, without ornaments, but a little larger than the wooden crosses which are on the other tombs. This cross bears an inscription painted in black, similar to those which can be seen on the other tombs contained in the enclosure. Only in the name of the deceased, which only the other tombs contain, a word spoken by the Servant of God has been added here. So we read: 1873-1897. — Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face. "I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth." This cross is literally covered in graffiti.

Near the enclosure, to the left of the door, a sheet metal plate is suspended from the grid with this inscription: "Out of prudence and to obey the prescriptions of the Church, it is expressly forbidden to light candles on the tomb. of Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus”. Finally it is good to note that there is in the cemetery of Lisieux another ground also limited by a grid and a small wall, and assigned formerly to the burial of the Carmelites; but this older concession is towards the center of the cemetery, while the one containing the tomb of the Servant of God is at the eastern end.