Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

What Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower does

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower is a Catholic Minor Basilica and parish located in San Antonio, Texas, founded in 1926 and operated as a ministry of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers of San Antonio, Texas, Inc. It was proclaimed a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul II on August 27, 1998, and formally dedicated on February 2, 1999, giving it national-shrine status and exclusive liturgical privileges including Red-Letter Days that confer plenary indulgences. The institution serves registered local parishioners, Catholic pilgrims, and visitors drawn to its relic collection of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and its Marian devotion centered on Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The Basilica operates an integrated five-building campus at 1715 N. Zarzamora St. and the surrounding 800-900 block of Kentucky Avenue, comprising the main Basilica Shrine, St. John of the Cross Center, Little Flower Hall, the Undercroft Presentation Hall, the Administration Office, and the Little Flower Catholic Store. Programs span sacramental services (Mass, confession, baptism, marriage, funeral), faith formation through Carmelite spirituality workshops and study groups (Legion of St. Thérèse, Laudato Si' reading groups), marriage preparation via UNITAS retreats, young adult ministry in English and Spanish, La Cofradía de Nuestra Señora del Carmen devotion, and charitable outreach through the St. Vincent de Paul Society food pantry. Pilgrimage ministry — Pilgrim Guides and Shrine Ambassadors — welcomes thousands of visitors annually.

The business model is donation- and fee-based. Revenue streams include voluntary donations and tithes (processed online via Stripe and Givebutter through a Squarespace website), one-time sacramental stipends such as the $300 funeral Mass fee, and retail sales of religious goods at the Catholic Store. Programs, workshops, and most spiritual services are offered free of charge with grateful acceptance of donations. The website (littleflowerbasilica.org) is the central digital hub, supported by email newsletters and community word-of-mouth; no mobile app, API, or proprietary technology systems exist. Staffing is lean at 18 employees, supported by Discalced Carmelite friars, volunteers, and lay ministry coordinators.

Name

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

Legal name

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower

Website

https://littleflowerbasilica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower is a Catholic Minor Basilica and parish in San Antonio, Texas, operated by the Discalced Carmelite Fathers since 1998. It serves local parishioners and Catholic pilgrims through sacraments, Carmelite spirituality programs, pilgrimage ministry, an on-site Catholic store, and charitable outreach, funded by donations and sacramental fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Parish and Shrine Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAJAL

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAJAA

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Religious & Faith-Based Organizations

SECONDARYTHAJACAG

Religious Landmarks & Pilgrimage Sites (Temples, Churches, Shrines)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Attractions & Landmarks (Observation Decks, Monuments, Scenic Sites)

Keywords

• Catholic parish services
• Sacramental ministry
• Carmelite spirituality
• Pilgrimage ministry
• Religious retail goods

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Tithes: The Basilica receives voluntary donations, tithes, and contributions from parishioners and visitors. Donation links and giving pages are referenced on the website, indicating ongoing recurring and one-time giving.
2. Catholic Retail Store: The on-site Little Flower Catholic Store sells religious goods, books, and sacramental items to visitors and parishioners. Store operates Tuesday-Sunday with retail hours.
3. Funeral and Sacramental Fees: The Basilica collects stipends for funeral Masses ($300 for Mass and organist) and likely other sacramental services, representing one-time transactional revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower is a Catholic basilica and parish in San Antonio, Texas, operated by the Discalced Carmelite Fathers. It provides Catholic sacramental services (Mass, confession, baptism, marriage, anointing of the sick, funeral Masses), faith formation programs, pilgrimage ministry, retreats and workshops, a charitable outreach program (St. Vincent de Paul Society), and an on-site Catholic retail store selling religious goods and devotional items.

Product overview

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower is a Catholic parish and shrine operated by the Discalced Carmelite Fathers, offering spiritual services including Mass, sacraments, pilgrimage ministry, faith formation programs, and community outreach. The campus includes the main Basilica, Little Flower Catholic Store, St. John of the Cross Center, Little Flower Hall, and Undercroft Presentation Hall for events and venue rentals. The parish provides multiple programs including Carmelite spirituality workshops, young adult ministry, marriage preparation (UNITAS), Legion of St. Thérèse study groups, and St. Vincent de Paul Society food assistance. Pilgrimage ministry welcomes thousands annually with Pilgrim Guide and Shrine Ambassador programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Little Flower Catholic Store On-site Catholic retail store selling religious goods, books, devotional items, sacramental items, and gifts to visitors and parishioners. Operates Tuesday-Friday 10am-4:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-3:30pm.
• Pilgrimage Ministry Shrine pilgrimage ministry welcoming thousands of Catholic pilgrims annually through Pilgrim Guides and Shrine Ambassador programs, providing guided tours, relic veneration, Marian devotion opportunities, and Carmelite spiritual formation at a designated National Shrine.
• Sacramental Services Catholic sacramental services including Mass, confession, baptism, marriage, anointing of the sick, and funeral Masses for parishioners and visitors. A funeral Mass stipend of $300 covers Mass and organist services.
• UNITAS Marriage Preparation Marriage preparation retreat program in conformity with Archdiocese of San Antonio and Texas state requirements for engaged couples. Held at Little Flower Hall and operated by the Marriage Preparation Coordinator.
• Basilica Campus Venue Rental Campus venue rental including St. John of the Cross Center, Little Flower Hall, and Undercroft Presentation Hall available for weddings, retreats, meetings, and community events.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Assistance Charitable outreach program operated by the Little Flower Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society providing food pantry services and partial rent/utility assistance to community members in need from the Basilica campus.
• Carmelite Young Adult Ministry Young adult ministry program for Catholics in their 20s and 30s offering Carmelite spirituality formation, fellowship, study groups, and community events in both English (Carmelite Young Adults) and Spanish (Jóvenes Adultos Carmelitas).
• Spirituality Workshops and Lecture Series Faith formation program offering workshops, lectures, study groups, and retreats on Carmelite spirituality, St. John of the Cross teachings, the Legion of St. Thérèse study groups, and Laudato Si' reading groups, free of charge with donations accepted.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Praesidium (Abuse Risk Management)coreOthersThe Semi-Province of St. Thérèse of the Discalced Carmelite Friars has been certified as Praesidium Accredited™ by Praesidium, a leading abuse risk management group and the accrediting body for Catholic religious orders and congregations in the United States. The friars serving at the Basilica adhere to the Safe Environment policies of the Semi-Province.
• Archdiocese of San AntoniocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Basilica operates under the authority of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. It is subject to Archdiocesan policies including firearm restrictions and Safe Environment guidelines. The Basilica celebrates designated Red-Letter Days mandated by Basilica status, which reflect communion with the Pope and the Archdiocese.
• Discalced Carmelite Fathers of San Antonio, Texas, Inc.coreOthersThe Basilica is a subsidiary and ministry of the Discalced Carmelite Fathers of San Antonio, Texas, Inc. The friars of this order serve the Basilica, and the organization serves as the parent legal entity. The Semi-Province of St. Thérèse provides governance and accreditation.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society (Little Flower Conference)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Little Flower Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society operates from the Basilica campus (814 Kentucky Ave.), providing food and partial rent/utility assistance to community members in need. The Basilica provides physical space and administrative support for this charitable ministry.
• Carmel of the Infant Jesus of Prague and of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Discalced Carmelite Nuns)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Basilica collaborates with the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in San Antonio (6301 Culebra Rd) for joint Holy Week events and Carmelite Young Adult Days activities including monastery visits for vocation discernment. The two communities share Carmelite spirituality and occasionally coordinate pilgrimage experiences.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe: A Catholic Marian pilgrimage shrine in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is comparable as a U.S. Catholic pilgrimage destination with similar shrine, retreat, and devotional functions.
• National Shrine of St. Jude: A Catholic national shrine in Chicago devoted to St. Jude with strong pilgrimage traffic and devotional programming. Comparable in operating model as a saint-focused Catholic shrine serving both local parishioners and visiting pilgrims.
• National Shrine of St. Thérèse of Lisieux: A Catholic national shrine in Darien, Illinois also dedicated to St. Thérèse of Lisieux. It is the most directly comparable institution to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower in terms of patroness, mission, and pilgrimage focus.

Others

• Archdiocese of San Antonio: The Catholic archdiocese that exercises ecclesiastical governance over the Basilica. Relevant as the institutional authority that defines Red-Letter Days, Safe Environment policies, and sacramental requirements affecting operations.
• Discalced Carmelite Friars (USA): Parent religious order and sponsoring entity for the Basilica via the Discalced Carmelite Fathers of San Antonio, Texas, Inc. Provides governance, the pipeline of friars who staff the Basilica, and Praesidium Accreditation oversight.

Broad incumbents

• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: The largest Catholic church in North America and the preeminent U.S. Catholic national shrine in Washington, D.C. It operates at a much larger scale but shares the national-shrine and basilica model, making it a clear broad incumbent reference point.

Regional players

• Basilica of San Fernando Cathedral: Historic Catholic cathedral in downtown San Antonio and one of the oldest cathedrals in the U.S. It serves the same local Catholic market and operates with a comparable parish-plus-landmark model in the same city.
• Mission San José: A Spanish-colonial Catholic mission in San Antonio managed as a National Historic Landmark. It is comparable as a heritage Catholic religious site attracting both worshippers and visitors in the same San Antonio market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/littleflowerbasilica

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower