The original chasuble is not on display, but a photo of it is included. The original maniple and chalice veil are seen here. In the photos can be seen the intense detail of the embroidery.
Thérèse had great devotion to the Holy Face of Tours and this is reflected in the image on the chasuble. The decoration is full of symbolism. Thérèse chose two white roses to honor her parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie. She also chose to depict white lilies to symbolize the nine children born into her family. Four died in infancy and so they are the flowers that have not bloomed. The five siblings who survived into adulthood all became fully professes sisters, depicted as the flowers in full bloom. Thérèse identified with the lily half hidden behind the Holy Face.
Thérèse and her sisters were no strangers to the Roman Rite. Their father, Louis, was a big fan of Dom Prosper Louis Pascal Guéranger, OSB. He would often read to his children from this seminal work, The Liturgical Year. This excellent resource is today available in English; a very readable and informative multi-volume work that is a classic for teaching the Roman Liturgy. May we be inspired to do the same, teaching sacred liturgy to our children in the context of home life, familiarizing them with this valuable work, illustrating greatness on every page.
