The all-night youth vigil with the relics of St Therese of Lisieux.
Tuesday 29 September, beginning in the Cathedral at 9pm. even if you can't make the whole night, you are welcome to join in with the night's events, though it would be better if you can to come to the whole thing.
Rough schedule is as follows:
Sprinkled amongst all this there will be lots of time for socialising, fun times - as well as time for candlelit vigil and prayers before the relics. It should be a good time together and to catch up with friends, and make new ones.
The news stories of a papal visit to Great Britain splashed round the websites of the daily newspapers in Britain, and other news services, Yesterday. It will be a great blessing to our country and I am sure that the presence of the Holy Father and his wise words will bring about an increase of faith, and a deepening of the spiritual and liturgical life of the Church.
The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the Patron Saint of Florists, will arrive into the UK via Eurotunnel on this afternoon in a specially adapted hearse for an historic first visit to England and Wales. From 16 September to 16 October, the relics of the beloved, Catholic Saint will visit 28 different venues, including many Catholic cathedrals and parishes, an Anglican cathedral, a university chaplaincy, a prison and a hospice for the dying.
Eight people will be accompanying the relics into the country, including a filmmaker and at least one Religious (monk, sister, or friar). The team leave for France tonight (14 Sept) on an overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen, they will then journey to Lisieux to pick up the relics and drive back through Northern France to catch the Eurotunnel from Calais to Folkestone. It is the first time that the relics will have travelled through the tunnel.
The relics make their way Wednesday to the first tour venue, Portsmouth Cathedral. As a child Thérèse drew a map of England and on this map she named two cities, the cities where the official tour begins and ends; Portsmouth and London.
Huge crowds have flocked to St. Thérèse in every country her relics have visited – over 42 to date. Wherever they have gone, many people have experienced conversion, healing, a renewed sense of vocation, and answers to their prayers. All are welcome and there is a special invitation to the sick, young people seeking their way in life and those from any faith or none.
One of St. Thérèse’s sayings was that she would “let fall a shower of roses on earth” after her death. Consequently, many people will be bringing roses to the venues and asking for them to be blessed and to touch the reliquary.
Father Michael McGoldrick ODC, Regional Superior of the Discalced Carmelites in the UK, said: “The arrival of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux is an important moment in their journey. They have been in over forty countries but in England they will visit an Anglican cathedral (York Minster) for the first time. It reveals something of the way in which St. Thérèse’s "Little Way" of confidence in God's love speaks to people of different faith traditions.
“I hope the visit will bring many blessings on all those who follow Jesus and that like her they will come to a deep experience of his love for them. I am sure she will bring many blessings to people of other faith traditions and to all people of good will.”
To receive daily updates from each venue, check out www.catholicrelics.wordpress.com
As we listen to the gospels and ponder the interaction between Jesus and those he has chosen to follow him, the term “school of discipleship” springs to mind. The apostles and disciples finds themselves constantly on a steep learning curve, as evidenced by the behaviour and reaction of Peter in today’s gospel passage. To form part of the company of Jesus entailed accepting his outlook and values, standards which were often in stark contrast to what were considered normal ways of thinking and behaving, what we call ‘The ways of the world.’ Peter, we discover, was taught a sharp lesson by Jesus when he protested about the possibility of his master having to suffer. The apostle had still much to learn about Jesus and the place of the cross in his life, despite his faith in him as God’s Messiah.
The Scripture readings we listen to at Mass Sunday after Sunday are intended to nourish our lives of faith. The Holy Spirit prompted and inspired the writers of the bible to set before us God’s truth. Gathered at Mass, it is God himself who speaks his word to encourage us on our journey of faith, hope and charity. What we are required to bring is an attentive ear and a receptive mind, for the word of God is ever alive and active, giving us fresh insight into the divine plan each time we hear it.
