Approximately 22 miles away from downtown Juneau, the closest city, the Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux – also known as Saint Therese of the Child Jesus — has welcomed pilgrims and visitors, both Catholic or non-Catholic, for more than 75 years.
Located in an area of exceptional natural beauty, in which the Aurora Borealis can be seen during winter, the shrine is a place of spiritual refuge under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Juneau, of which St. Therese is the patroness — just as she is of all of Alaska, in case you didn’t know (I didn’t!). The founder of the shrine, the Jesuit William G. LeVasseur, conceived the place, from the very beginning, as a place of spiritual search and encounter in the solitude of nature, by the ocean shore.
The shrine offers lodging in several different log cabins (including a small hermitage with no running water or electricity), which the pilgrim can choose from depending on personal needs and preferences.
If you want to get to know the place or make a reservation (most Alaska cruises do make a stop at Juneau), you can check on this link, for more information.
And today we celebrate...