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Activities for Children
Children 0-5: Build with blocks; create art rubbings of saints, angels and nature; ring the bells; play dress up; and watch Bible stories under a tent.
Children 5-8: ring the bells; discover melody selections from Catholic hymnals; and create an electronic stained-glass window.
Children 8 & up: participate in a scavenger hunt, available at the Admissions Desk. |
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"You have a facility that offers a unique social and spiritual
atmosphere in a top-notch environment. ... your institution has the
potential to impact peoples lives and our world in a positive way.
We were extremely impressed and inspired by the presentation and effectiveness of your interactive displays." |
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A unique, almost life-size, painting of one of the 20th Century's most revered saints now graces a special place at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. A portrait of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, affectionately known by Catholics throughout the world as the Little Flower, hangs in the chapel at the Cultural Center. The portrait, painted by her sister Celine Martin (Sister Genevieve), who, like St. Thérèse, was a nun of the Carmel of Lisieux, is a gift from the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Philadelphia. The extraordinary portrait was considered one of their most prized possessions.
Pope Pius XI canonized Thérèse, a modern day mystic, on May 17, 1925, only 28 years after her death. On October 19, 1997, Pope John Paul II declared her a Doctor of the Church, the only such declaration of his pontificate to date. She, along with Saints Catherine of Siena and Teresa of Avila, is one of three women Doctors of the Church. Her spiritual autobiography, The Story of a Soul, inspired people around the world to attain great spiritual heights through simplicity and performing their ordinary duties of daily life.
A deep spiritual bond existed between Celine and Thérèse, and, after Thérèse's death in 1897, Celine painted a number of portraits of her. This one, a 5-foot by 4-foot oil on canvas, is rich in symbolism: St. Thérèse holds the Bible over her heart - it was the source of her inspiration and spiritual strength. The harp signifies the song of her heart, as she poured out her life of dedication to God in prayer and sacrifice. At the tip of the harp is the Holy Face of Jesus surmounted by a small figure of the Child Jesus. These represent her two special devotions and the titles of her name in religious life (Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus). The inscription in French reflects her words, "I wish to spend my Heaven doing good upon earth." The rose, dropping its petals, signifies one of her predictions: "After my death you will see a shower of roses." The painting was originally commissioned and donated to the Carmel of Philadelphia by Pauline Wilcox in 1907.
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