News release from the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth
This week St John’s Cathedral welcomes the relics of the 19th Century French Carmelite nun St Thérèse of Lisieux, who was canonised in 1925.
This is the first time the saint’s relics have visited Portsmouth, a town the young Thérèse yearned to visit when still at school. Catholics from across the region and beyond are expected to visit Portsmouth in large numbers to pay homage. The casket containing the Saint’s relics will be on public display from 9.30 am 16 September until 10 am 17 September.
Timetable of the visit of the Relics of St Thérèse at St John’s Cathedral Portsmouth
Wednesday 16 September 2009
0930
Bishop Crispian welcomes the Relics of St Thérèse to the Cathedral and leads the Opening Liturgy (involving local Catholic schools)
1100
Bishop Crispian celebrates a Liturgy involving representatives of all the Catholic schools of the diocese
1400
Bishop Crispian celebrates Mass with Anointing of the Sick
(representatives from parishes around the diocese)
1930
Bishop Crispian celebrates a Mass of Thanksgiving with Canon John Udris to preach (Dean of Northampton Cathedral)
2200
Celebration of Night Prayer All-Night Vigil based on the Stations of the Cross celebrated by representatives from the Pastoral Areas of the diocese
Thursday, 17 September 2009
0700
First Mass of the day
1000
Farewell Mass and Departure of the Relics
The Cathedral will remain open for the twenty-six hours that St Thérèse’s relics remain in Portsmouth. For further details visit the Cathedral website.
St Thérèse of Lisieux – Portsmouth information (pdf)
Website: portsmouthcatholiccathedral.org.uk
Issued on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.
