It may seem odd that the Catholic Church recognizes St Thérèse of Lisieux as Patron Saint of Alaska. After all, she never left her convent in France. But while she was living her humble life, a friend of her family was setting foot on the Yukon River.
Jesuit priest Joseph Crimont first arrived in Alaska in 1894. In 1917, he would be consecrated Alaska’s first Catholic bishop. Such was his dedication to Alaska that when he passed in 1945, Governor Ernest Gruening ordered flags across the territory be flown at half-mast for three days. Bishop Crimont’s deep devotion to St Thérèse’s “little way” informed his entire missionary career, and when she was canonized a saint in 1925, the Catholic Church wasted no time in entrusting Alaska to her heavenly care. The Catholic Church celebrates St Thérèse of Lisieux every year on October 1.
To this day, KNOM carries on the work of Bishop Crimont and countless other missionaries like him in service to the Alaska community. KNOM can only fulfill this mission thanks to your loyal support. Thank you for being a friend to Western Alaska! If you ever want to drop us a line, feel free to contact us by phone at 907-868-1200 or by email at belong@knom.org. We would love to hear from you! St Thérèse of Lisieux, Patroness of Alaska, pray for us!
