About Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower · San Antonio, Texas
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower (also known as Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thérèse Church) is a historic Roman Catholic minor basilica in San Antonio's West Side, operated by the Discalced Carmelite Friars. Built during the Great Depression (1929–1931) and dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux, "The Little Flower," it was the first National Shrine in the United States honoring her and is one of only four minor basilicas in Texas. The Beaux-Arts landmark was elevated to minor basilica status and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, and remains both an active parish and a pilgrimage church housing first-class relics of St. Thérèse and other Carmelite saints.
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Rector
- Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of San Antonio
Why belong here
Parishioners of Little Flower belong to a community shaped by Discalced Carmelite spirituality — the 'Little Way' of St. Thérèse emphasizing simplicity, humility, and love — and rooted in San Antonio's historic West Side for nearly a century. The basilica combines traditional parish life (Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, OCIA/RCIA, faith formation for children, marriage prep) with pilgrimage offerings such as Heritage Tours, Carmelite Young Adults, the Legion of St. Thérèse prayer groups, the Little Flower Catholic Store, and a Catholic school (PreK–8) where the Carmelite charism is woven into daily curriculum. It is an unusually rich spiritual home for anyone drawn to Carmelite devotion, Spanish-language liturgy, or simply one of the most beautiful historic Catholic churches in Texas.
Mass times at Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Saturdays 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Adoration times
- St. Elias Adoration Chapel on campus (currently closed — open with Pilgrim Guide volunteers or donations)
- First Friday Healing Mass at 7:00 pm (followed by Eucharistic Adoration until midnight per related sources)
About the Basilica
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower — officially named Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Thérèse Church — is the first National Shrine in the United States dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Operated by the Discalced Carmelite Friars on San Antonio's historic West Side, it is both an active Catholic parish and a pilgrimage landmark. The Beaux-Arts building was constructed during the Great Depression (1929–1931), listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, and elevated to the status of Minor Basilica the same year.
- First National Shrine to St. Thérèse in the U.S.
- One of only four minor basilicas in Texas
- Beaux-Arts style, architect Charles L. Monnot
- Operated by Discalced Carmelite Friars (OCD)
Parish History
The parish was canonically established February 22, 1926, by Archbishop Arthur Jerome Drossaerts for Discalced Carmelite friars who had fled religious persecution in Mexico. The first Mass was celebrated in March 1926 on Kentucky and Zarzamora streets, and the Carmelites soon built a small wooden chapel that still stands as part of the present school cafeteria. Under the leadership of Fr. Raymond Gomez, OCD, the friars launched an international fundraising campaign, secured the blessing of Pope Pius XI, and broke ground in October 1929 — just two weeks before the stock market crash — on what would become a National Shrine to St. Thérèse.
- Parish founded February 22, 1926
- First Mass: late March 1926, Fr. Edward Soler
- Groundbreaking: October 13, 1929; cornerstone October 15, 1929
- Consecrated September 27, 1931
- Fr. Raymond Gomez led the National Shrine project
Architecture & Sacred Art
The church and adjoining monastery are built of concrete, steel and clay tile sheathed in gray Bedford limestone from Indiana, and crowned by three golden domes that are visible from Interstate 10. The interior is a treasury of Carmelite art: Carrara marble (Italy) for the altar, communion rail and main pulpit; wooden statues carved in Spain; bronze doors and wrought-iron gates by Voss Metal Works of San Antonio under Theo Voss; concrete floor tile by the Aztec Art Tile Company; and stained-glass windows by the Emil Frei Stained Glass Company. The rose — symbol of St. Thérèse — recurs throughout the building.
- Architect: Charles L. Monnot, Oklahoma City
- Builder: Dennehy Construction Co.
- Sculptor: Louis Rodriguez (Rodriguez Monument Works)
- Ironwork: Voss Metal Works (Theo Voss)
- Stained glass: Emil Frei Stained Glass Company (St. Louis)
- Floor tile: Aztec Art Tile Company, San Antonio
- North tower: 96 ft, with 7-ft bronze statue of St. Thérèse
- South campanile: 118 ft, six bells cast in Germany
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
Faith Formation at Little Flower serves people of all ages. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is offered in English and Spanish for adults (18+) seeking baptism, confirmation, or first Eucharist. OCIA for Children is a year-long process for ages 7–17. A separate Adult Confirmation track runs virtually from January to May. Religious Education classes for parish children not attending Little Flower School meet Sundays during the school year. Catechist and aide volunteer opportunities are available.
- OCIA (Adults) — English & Spanish
- OCIA for Children (ages 7–17)
- Adult Confirmation (virtual, Jan–May)
- Religious Education for parish children
- Contact: Yolanda Vargas, [email protected], ext. 110
Little Flower Catholic School
Little Flower School has educated students in the Carmelite tradition for more than 95 years. Located at 905 Kentucky Avenue, the school serves PreK through 8th grade, weaving Catholic faith and Carmelite spirituality throughout its curriculum. Students attend weekly Mass at the Basilica with the Discalced Carmelite Friars and participate as altar servers, lectors, and choir. The school motto — 'Remember, Jesus Christ Came From Heaven Spreading Love, Peace, and Hope' — is a mnemonic for the ten Gospel Values practiced across the campus.
- Grades PreK–8
- Principal: Jackie Castro
- Liturgical Music Coordinator: Thelma Montez
- Weekly Mass at the Basilica
- Meditation Mondays using St. Thérèse's 'Story of a Soul'
- Stewardship and service-learning program
Carmelite Spirituality & Devotions
The Basilica is the spiritual home of the Discalced Carmelites in South Texas and a center for the 'Little Way' spirituality of St. Thérèse — simplicity, humility, and love. The annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena is celebrated July 7–15, culminating in the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16. The 10:00 am Sunday Spanish Mass is attended by La Cofradía de Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Carmelite Young Adults and the Legion of St. Thérèse prayer groups extend the charism to younger Catholics and laity.
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Novena (July 7–15)
- Solemnity Mass on July 16
- La Cofradía de Nuestra Señora del Carmen
- Carmelite Young Adults
- Legion of St. Thérèse prayer groups
Pilgrimage, Tours & Relics
As a National Shrine and basilica, Little Flower welcomes pilgrims year-round. Public Heritage Tours — presented in partnership with the OCDS of San Antonio — cover the Basilica's history and the lives of Discalced Carmelite saints, with the opportunity to venerate the first-class relics of St. Thérèse, her parents St. Louis Martin and St. Zélie Guérin Martin, and other Carmelite saints. The Shrine Chapel of St. Thérèse on the lower level is a replica of the Tomb Chapel in Lisieux, France.
- Public Heritage Tours (free; registration encouraged)
- Private Tours by appointment
- Shrine Chapel replica of Tomb Chapel in Lisieux
- Side altars: Our Lady of Guadalupe and Infant of Prague
- Undercroft: Sts. Louis & Zélie Chapel; St. Elias Adoration Chapel
Visiting & Hours
The Basilica is open 30 minutes before scheduled liturgies. Regular open hours are Sunday 7:30 am–1 pm and 5:00 pm–6:30 pm; Monday–Friday 11:30 am–1 pm (Tuesday also 5:30 pm–7 pm); and Saturday 10:00 am–6:30 pm. The Little Flower Catholic Store (920 Kentucky Ave.) is open Tuesday–Friday 10:00 am–4:30 pm and Saturday–Sunday 9:00 am–3:30 pm. Parking is available on the campus.
- Open ~30 min before each liturgy
- Little Flower Catholic Store on campus
- Heritage Tours year-round
- Volunteer as a Shrine Ambassador to help expand open hours
Staff, Contact & Administration
Pastoral and administrative offices are at the Little Flower Administration Center, 824 Kentucky Avenue (open Mon–Fri 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00 pm–5:00 pm). The pastor and rector is Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD. Key staff include Laura Vega (Receptionist), Susana Cantu (Executive Director of Administration and Finance), Laura Cole (Business Manager), Consuelo Salazar (Bookkeeper), Sylvia DeHoyos (Administrative Secretary), Marc Chavez (Development Associate), and Colleen Ortegon (Development & Communications Manager).
- Pastor & Rector: Fr. Gregory Ross, OCD
- Provincial in residence: Fr. Luis Castañeda, OCD
- Phone: (210) 735-9126
- Email: [email protected]
- Admin Center: 824 Kentucky Ave., San Antonio, TX 78201
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Edward Soler, OCD1926 (first pastor)
Celebrated the first Mass on Kentucky and Zarzamora streets in late March 1926 for the newly established Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish.
- Fr. Raymond (Raymon) Gomez, OCDmid-1920s
Major Superior of the Discalced Carmelites who conceived and drove the National Shrine project; traveled to Lisieux in 1927 to seek the blessing of St. Thérèse's sisters.
