Military Precision for Saint’s Relics
9 August 2009
A Royal Marines Commando takes charge of the visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux to England and Wales. Major David Baldwin, from Glastonbury, will accompany the relics throughout the nationwide tour including the two stops in our diocese.
‘You need to be fit, strong and determined to become a Royal Marines Commando’, according to the Royal Navy careers office. Not surprising then that the Church has appointed a former Green Beret Major as its Logistics Manager for the visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux to England and Wales.
The visit includes stops at St Teresa of Lisieux Church on Eastwick Road, Taunton on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September and St Teresa of the Child Jesus Church on Gloucester Road North in Filton on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September.
Major David Baldwin is also a consultant to the nuclear industry. He is tasked with the challenging role and aims to provide the safe pair of hands you need to manage the logistics of this historic one-month tour.
“One of my jobs [in the Marines] was the logistic planner responsible for taking the Commando Brigade out to Norway in the winter - 5,000 men with associated equipment,” said Major Baldwin. “I hope that my brain can get around the logistics of taking St Therese’s reliquary around many destinations in this country in a reasonably short space of time.”
During September and October, cathedrals, churches, convents, and a prison are among the venues hosting the relics. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected as, historically, huge crowds have flocked to St Thérèse in every country her relics have visited - over 46 to date. She will have just visited Guyana and after her tour of England and Wales will leave for Tunisia.
On a reconnaissance mission to Ireland, one of the last countries to host the relics, Major Baldwin made an interesting observation relating to St Thérèse’s nickname - the Little Flower. He said: “It was the first time we’d seen the whole event being put into practice. We learned a lot of practical things about how to carry the reliquary, how to get to the point of veneration, and all the rest of it. What caught us quite by surprise was the abundant use of roses.”
The relics will also spend some time ‘inside’- visiting Wormwood Scrubs (a prison visit is commonplace when the relics tour the world) and St Thérèse will also travel to York Minster on 1 October.
In a final logistics twist, the relics are entering the country under the English Channel through Eurotunnel - thought to be an historic first. From then on, Major Baldwin is encouraging people in his home diocese to come out in force - regardless of their faith: “The invitation’s very warmly extended to people of any faith or no faith - whoever wants to be touched by St Thérèse and ultimately touched by God.”
Watch Major Baldwin in our special video made by the Catholic Communications Office (CCN), below.
Here are some logistical facts and stats about this amazing journey. The relics will travel approximately 1,367 miles in just one month. St Thérèse will visit 28 different venues around England and Wales, travelling in a clockwise direction from Portsmouth.
11 Catholic cathedrals
7 parish churches
4 Carmelite convents
2 large pilgrimage centres.
1 Anglican Cathedral
1 university chaplaincy
1 prison
1 hospice for the dying.
They will be travelling in a specially adapted hearse. Seven people will be accompanying the relics in two vehicles.
The casket containing the relics of St Thérèse is made from Jacaranda wood and was donated by the people of Brazil. It weighs 132 kilogram (nearly 21 stone) and requires six people to carry it.
A Royal Marines Commando takes charge of the visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux to England and Wales. Major David Baldwin, from Glastonbury, will accompany the relics throughout the nationwide tour including the two stops in our diocese.
‘You need to be fit, strong and determined to become a Royal Marines Commando’, according to the Royal Navy careers office. Not surprising then that the Church has appointed a former Green Beret Major as its Logistics Manager for the visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux to England and Wales.
The visit includes stops at St Teresa of Lisieux Church on Eastwick Road, Taunton on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 September and St Teresa of the Child Jesus Church on Gloucester Road North in Filton on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September.
Major David Baldwin is also a consultant to the nuclear industry. He is tasked with the challenging role and aims to provide the safe pair of hands you need to manage the logistics of this historic one-month tour.
“One of my jobs [in the Marines] was the logistic planner responsible for taking the Commando Brigade out to Norway in the winter - 5,000 men with associated equipment,” said Major Baldwin. “I hope that my brain can get around the logistics of taking St Therese’s reliquary around many destinations in this country in a reasonably short space of time.”
During September and October, cathedrals, churches, convents, and a prison are among the venues hosting the relics. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected as, historically, huge crowds have flocked to St Thérèse in every country her relics have visited - over 46 to date. She will have just visited Guyana and after her tour of England and Wales will leave for Tunisia.
On a reconnaissance mission to Ireland, one of the last countries to host the relics, Major Baldwin made an interesting observation relating to St Thérèse’s nickname - the Little Flower. He said: “It was the first time we’d seen the whole event being put into practice. We learned a lot of practical things about how to carry the reliquary, how to get to the point of veneration, and all the rest of it. What caught us quite by surprise was the abundant use of roses.”
The relics will also spend some time ‘inside’- visiting Wormwood Scrubs (a prison visit is commonplace when the relics tour the world) and St Thérèse will also travel to York Minster on 1 October.
In a final logistics twist, the relics are entering the country under the English Channel through Eurotunnel - thought to be an historic first. From then on, Major Baldwin is encouraging people in his home diocese to come out in force - regardless of their faith: “The invitation’s very warmly extended to people of any faith or no faith - whoever wants to be touched by St Thérèse and ultimately touched by God.”
Watch Major Baldwin in our special video made by the Catholic Communications Office (CCN), below.
Meet the former Royal Marines Major looking after the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux from Catholic Church (England/Wales) on Vimeo.
Here are some logistical facts and stats about this amazing journey. The relics will travel approximately 1,367 miles in just one month. St Thérèse will visit 28 different venues around England and Wales, travelling in a clockwise direction from Portsmouth.
11 Catholic cathedrals
7 parish churches
4 Carmelite convents
2 large pilgrimage centres.
1 Anglican Cathedral
1 university chaplaincy
1 prison
1 hospice for the dying.
They will be travelling in a specially adapted hearse. Seven people will be accompanying the relics in two vehicles.
The casket containing the relics of St Thérèse is made from Jacaranda wood and was donated by the people of Brazil. It weighs 132 kilogram (nearly 21 stone) and requires six people to carry it.
Images
Your comments
© Clifton Diocese 2010 | Disclaimer
