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National Shrine of St Therese

Museum
In Darien, Illinois
0.2 mi from Route 66

Darien's National Shrine of St Therese is a Catholic shrine and museum in Darien, IL, honoring St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the saint often called the Little Flower. It stands on the Aylesford Carmelite campus, less than a mile off the old Route 66 corridor. For travelers interested in faith or in a quiet pause, it offers a calm stop away from the traffic of Chicago's southwest suburbs.

What is National Shrine of St Therese?

The shrine belongs to the Aylesford Carmelite campus, which is run by the Carmelites' Most Pure Heart of Mary province. Society of the Little Flower members, devoted to the saint, support the shrine and serve at it. Besides being a place of prayer and pilgrimage, it is also counted as a museum, so visitors come both to worship and to learn about the saint and her following.

Visiting National Shrine of St Therese: tips

The shrine is less than a mile off the old road. Restrooms are on site. As a working religious site, dress and behave as you would in a church, and allow half an hour to an hour. Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is only about 0.6 miles away for a walk, and Dell Rhea's Chicken Basket, a Route 66 restaurant dating to 1938, is about 2.2 miles off. The ghost town of Tedens is about 2.7 miles away.

Practical info

Address: 8433 Bailey Rd, Darien, IL 60561
Phone: +1 800-647-1430
Website: littleflower.org/national-shrine-and-museum-of-st-therese
Hours: Daily 10–4
On site & nearby

Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix

Where to eat near National Shrine of St Therese

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Diner & restaurant
Rich & Creamy
Joliet, IL · 14.4 mi from National Shrine of St Therese
A Joliet ice cream stand on old Route 66 with the Blues Brothers dancing on its roof.