ST. Thérèse said :”I shall make the sky rain roses of good will onto the earth .”And this what has really happened through her visit to Lebanon . upon touring the Lebanese villages, ST. Therese sacred body paid our village , Tourza , an invaluable visit on Thursday, the twenty sixth of September 02 .

Preparation and Reception

Preparation started only one day before the visit –on Wednesday the twenty five of September 02. The decoration was so simple , most probably because there has been some lack of concern in the classes of the so called “responsibles”. Only some youths took the initiative of hanging up some photos , pictures and some signs on which was printed the words of ST. Thérèse . In addition there were “Mary's knights”, a religious group of very young people , who played and important role as well . These young and enthusiastic members woke up early on Thursday morning to set the alter where the coffin was to be put . They also participated in the decoration by adding more pictures , ballons and roses . Minutes before St. Thérèse reached Tourza People started arriving to the place at 3:00 p.m as they were expecting the sacred body of ST. Thérèse to arrive at 4:30 p.m . most villagers , if not all , were there ready to meet this holly gift . Parents – the old , the young and even the children all were exited and ready for this great events. People from neighbouring villages like Mazraat el Nahr , Sereel , Arbit izhaya and el-faradiis also came down to share in this great and historical event . However , there has been some delay in the arrival of the sacred body as everbody wanted to share and to take advantage of the presence of this holly and magnificent figure . Meanwhile , the children started praying followed by the young and old people who were getting prepared to carry and hold with their bare hands what was to them at that minute the most important thing . Women gathered flowers and roses to sprinkle , and so time was passing but tno one felt it . However , after long hours of waiting , people started wondering about the reasons of the delay , although they were sure she was to come and spread her own roses onto them . The Arrival It was six o'clock when at a distance the flashing lights of many cars were seen . This is the beginning of the end . ST .Thérèse is on her way to Tourza. People started moving unconsciously with tears filling their eyes – they were walking towards the car on which the coffin was fixed . Everything at that time seemed Godly . People were praying from the bottoms of their hearts , and the fever of their faith filled the air . The youth insisted on carrying the coffin from the entrance of the village to the alter which was set for it and which was about 500 meters away. People started moving unconsciously with tears filling their eyes – they were walking towards the car on which the coffin was fixed . Everything at that time seemed Godly . People were praying from the bottoms of their hearts , and the fever of their faith filled the air . The youth insisted on carrying the coffin from the entrance of the village to the alter which was set for it and which was about 500 meters away There on the alter facing “the Kadisha Valley “ , which is also known as “the valley of the saints “ , the coffin took a rest and the people were eager to get blessing by just touching its glass cover or by kneeling in front of it praying . But because there was still a long way to go , at 6:45 pm , ST. Thérèse left Tourza to another reception at the neighbouring village . this was really a historical event thatLebanon has witnessed . An event which carried with it a new meaning of love. ST. Thérèse , the passenger of love , carried with her to Lebanon the cure to our illnesses and the happiness which we had forgotten in our miseries . She is the stream of love and forgiveness which we have lost in the world full of hatred and malice . We are thankful to your visit which has supplied us with the strength to overcome our problems and troubles. St. Thérèse Pray for us as you are our hope. Photo Galleries