Flowers have the power to warm hearts and the power to deepen our appreciation of nature. This is especially true if children are doing the planting, the watering…the nurturing! The Basilica of the Little Flower is working to beautify the community of the West Side of San Antonio through the promotion of gardens. Since 2003 the Basilica’s community outreach efforts have focused on exposing children to the opportunity to appreciate the value of nature and grow in their awareness of how they can make a difference in their school and home environment. For the Basilica’s Program Department, this activity of working with children and helping them to grow flowers is an extension of the philosophy of the patroness of the Little Flower, St. Therese, who taught that the smallest of actions can have great significance if they are carried out with the right attitude of heart. She said that she would not allow even the smallest opportunity to show love escape. We believe that through the promotion of gardens we can demonstrate our love for our community and the people that live in them.  This program is entitled, “Power of Flowers.” Through the Power of Flowers Program, children are given hands-on training in growing flowers. These flowers are transferred later to raised flowerbeds on the grounds of elementary schools. On the occasions on which there are left over seedlings or flowers, the children are encouraged to share them with loved ones. We believe that through this activity of growing flowers and giving away flowers to beautify their community, the children have learned how the work of their hands can produce positive and visible results.

Basilica personnel are currently working to expand this program to partner with like-minded organizations, youth groups, residents, parishioners and businesses to support the revitalization needs of our neighborhoods and encourage volunteer coalitions to lead the efforts of garden development in the West Side.  In addition, 3rd grade students from both public and private elementary schools participating in this program, will now follow a course specially designed to complement the traditional curriculum of a classroom.  The Gardens of St. Therese will serve as an outdoor extension of the classroom for students to apply their knowledge of math, science, reading, writing, speaking and art, while promoting gardening year round both at school and at home. In this natural laboratory, students will learn life skills through team work and grow an appreciation for nature.

Before St. Therese died, she promised to send from heaven “a shower of roses” symbolizing the graces that could be received from God through her intercession. To symbolize her promise the Power of Flowers program will culminate with a balloon launch on April 27 during the 2nd Annual El Dia de Los Ninos celebration.  This launch will take place in the Gardens of St. Therese where students will have the opportunity to showcase their classroom projects. Balloons filled with a pinch of flowering seeds will be filled with helium and participating students will release their balloons to send them throughout the city with love to create a shower of flowers. This is our “little way” of keeping St. Therese’s promise.