In 1887, during a pilgrimage to Rome, Thérèse Martin — now known around the world as St. Thérèse of Lisieux — visited the chapel of Mater Admirabilis, tucked inside a convent atop the Spanish Steps. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Vatican City, May 16, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).
MillionsoftouristsflocktoRome’sSpanishStepseachyear,butfewrealizethatatthetopofthestepsisahiddenchapelwithaspecialconnectiontoSt.ThérèseofLisieux.
In1887,duringapilgrimagetoRome,ThérèseMartin—nowknownaroundtheworldasSt.ThérèseofLisieux—visitedthechapelof“MaterAdmirabilis,”tuckedinsideaconventatoptheiconicstaircase.
There,sheprayedonherkneesbeforeapaintingoftheVirginMary,beseechingGodforthegracetoentertheCarmeliteconventattheageof15,arequestthatshealsoboldlymadeduringanaudiencewithPopeLeoXIIIattheVatican.
Today,visitorscanaccesstheMaterAdmirabilis,whereSt.ThereseofLisieuxprayed,throughtheentrancetotheInstitutodelSacroCuore,justtotheleftofthechurchofSantissimaTrinitàdeiMonti.Credit:DanielIbanez/CNAThisyearmarksthe100thanniversaryofSt.Thérès
