When you get off of the Funiculaire at the top, go left. This will take you around past a pretty little park, another short left past the side of Sacre Coeur, and then straight into the corner on the right that cradles the Church St. Pierre of Montmartre-Paris.
I decided to stop in this time. Usually, I'd just been inside Sacre Coeur or I'd been on may way to meet someone somewhere else, but this time was different. I always look for St. Therese. Funny, I saw her candles but not her. So, I went into the shop where they had post cards and additional information. The priest had just come out to the counter, and took my money for the book I decided to buy about the church. He asked me where I was from...not an easy question for me. I gave him my Readers Digest version in French, and threw in my day of birthday celebration in Paris. He looked at me and said: "You have chosen the best time to be in Montmartre." Now, a lot of reasons went through my mind. Could it be that: Assumption is at the end of the week; it's the summer season; or possibly the time of the day? When I asked: "Pourquoi"? He very sweetly said that mornings are best because there aren't so many people and it is cooler. He made me chuckle. I thanked him and headed on.
I found the place for St. Therese, but it wasn't a statue per se. It was an artifact that had been found that represented her. I lit my candle and placed it right in the top center spot. I rested for a moment of gratefulness, reading her prayer in French and in English. How wonderful that I'd come to Montmartre at the best time of the day. And, wasn't it interesting that it makes no difference if I'm hiking up to the chapel above Str. Cirq Lapopie or hiking up the Butte Montmartre to the Church St. Pierre...morning is the best time of the day for the very same reasons.
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