Relics of St Therese of Lisieux: 2009 Visit to Lancaster Cathedral

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux in Lancaster

28th-30th September 2009

Information for Parishes

Parish groups are especially welcome to come to the Cathedral to visit the relics of St Thérèse. It is hoped that every parish in the Lancaster Diocese will be involved, along with parishes from further afield. Here you can find practical information for parish groups.

Organising a visit to the relics

We ask that groups and coach parties inform us in advance of their intention to come to the visit. This will help us to plan and to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Please contact us to register your interest.

What is there for parishes during the visit?

Parish groups will have the opportunity to venerate the relics, to gather together for prayers and devotions (a space and texts for prayer will be provided). You will be able to watch a short film about the life of St Thérèse and visit the Cathedral’s new Thérèse garden. Catechists will be on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will also be provided throughout the visit. We are not able to make provision for parish Masses, but groups and their priests are very welcome to join in the celebration of Mass and in the Liturgy of the Hours. See the full programme for more information.

What can we do before the visit?

In the months before the visit parishes can learn about St Thérèse. Why not consider organising a talk about her life and message? Use the resources supplied by the Cathedral to find out more about her. Prayers and devotions are a very important way of preparing, and texts for prayers will be provided to parishes in the Lancaster Diocese in advance of the visit. They will also be available online, here. If your parish has a statue or image of St Thérèse it could become a focal point for devotions in the coming months.

A parish prepares

If you would like some more ideas, click here for an excellent pdf document, ‘A parish prepares’, giving an account of the preparations being made by the parish of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in St Annes.