28 August 2019
The relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux arrive in Scotland for the first time on Thursday 29thof August, where they will begin a three-week tour of Scotland’s eight Catholic dioceses.
Marie-Francoise-Therese Martin entered the convent aged just fifteen and was canonised a saint in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Many miracles of healing have been reported throughout the world, including Scotland, through her intercession.
She is a Doctor of the Church, Patroness of the Missions and of the sick. Her relics will be brought to Barlinnie Prison for a special Mass on Monday 16thof September.
Fr Jim Grant, General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland who has coordinated the visit said:
“People today are fascinated by the idea of pilgrimage, of travelling to a holy place or site associated with a holy person. This once in a lifetime visit of the relics of Saint Therese to Scotland is a pilgrimage in reverse, where a holy person comes to us. We can expect many graces from this visit including healing, conversion and discovery of true vocation to God.”
The relics are in the Diocese of Motherwell from 29thof August until 1stof September.
Bishop Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell, said:
“I hope the Pilgrimage of the Relics of St Therese will encourage us, through the inspiration and intercession of St Therese, to have confidence in God’s merciful love for each of us, and to share that love daily with all with whom we share our lives. In bringing St Therese’s relics to Scotland we will pray that we will be inspired by her to recognise and live to the full our vocation in the mission of the Church in our country as joyful witnesses of Jesus Our Lord.”
ENDS
Peter Kearney
Director
Catholic Media Office
5 St. Vincent Place
Glasgow
G1 2DH
Tel: 0141 221 1168
Mob: 07968 122291
ISDN: 0141 204 4956
Note to editors
You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to St Teresa’s, Newarthill at 10.15am on Friday 30thof August where the procession will begin. The ornate casket carrying the relics of St Therese will arrive at St Francis Xavier’s, Carfin at 11am. Hundreds of pupils from Taylor High School, New Stevenston, Our Lady and St Francis’ Primary School, Motherwell and St Teresa’s Primary School, Newarthill will line the streets to witness the procession which will be led by North Lanarkshire School Pipe Band.
Bishop Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell, will celebrate Mass with primary and secondary school children at St Francis Xavier’s, Carfin at 11am. There will be a Mass with Sacrament of the Sick at 1pm.
A full itinerary of the visit and other background information about the Saint is available at www.littleflowerinscotland.co.uk
Images
Will be available to download at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmGhJe91
What is a relic?
A relic is either part of the physical remains of a saint after his or her death, or an object which has been in contact with his or her body. The casket coming to Scotland contains some of the bones of Saint Therese.
In each location across Scotland’s eight Catholic dioceses, the relics will be placed in a prominent place, such as the sanctuary of a Church, and people are invited to file past the casket containing the relics.
Key dates
Diocese of Motherwell 29 August – 1 September
Diocese of Galloway 1 September – 4 September
Diocese of Dunkeld 4 September – 7 September
Archdiocese of Saint Andrews & Edinburgh 7 September – 9 September
Diocese of Aberdeen 9 September – 12 September
Diocese of Argyll and the Isles 12 September – 14 September
Diocese of Paisley 14 September – 16 September
Archdiocese of Glasgow 16 September – 19 September
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