St Thérèse of Lisieux Relics Visit Our Diocese

The saint known as the Little Flower visits our diocese in September 2009 as part of a national tour.

St Teresa of Lisieux, Eastwick Road, Taunton TA2 7HF
3.30 pm Friday 18 September to 10.30 am Saturday 19 September
Contact: Canon John Cunningham 01823 272700

St Teresa of the Child Jesus, Gloucester Road North, Filton, Bristol BS34 7PL
2.00 pm Wednesday 23 September to 10.00 am Thursday 24 September
Contact: Father Tom Finnegan 0117 983 3938

The visits are an important time in the life of our diocese.  More information can be obtained from the special website set up by the Catholic Communications Network - catholicrelics.co.uk.  You can find out much more at the St Thérèse video channel.

As we look forward to the visits cliftondiocese.com will bring you a series of podcasts where we will meet people with a special affinity with St Thérèse of Lisieux.  Check our 'News and articles' section for the latest.

Many preparations for the visit are already underway.  An expert on the saint's life has visited us and spoke to many people to help us prepare, top London film makers have been to Somerset to make a video about this extraordinary event and you've been invited to play a vital part during the Taunton visit.  The news of the special song in honour of the visit was also reported.  In July a reminder letter was sent by the host parishes inviting parishes to help in the organisation of the events.  There will be a movie night on Thursday 3 September at St Teresa's Social Centre in Filton to let us know more of St Thérèse's life.  We also brought you personal stories of how St Thérèse has changed people.  Father Tom Finnegan spoke on the radio about the visit.  Taunton's music makers and tuning up.  cliftondiocese.com brought up a series of talks of the saint's life.  Signs are going up in Taunton to help travelling pilgrims.  A parishioner in Clevedon has published a book. The 'Little Flower' is in safe hands on the tour and we told you about the travel arrangements.  Sounds of St Thérèse - our first podcast episode and the second.

The timetable for the Taunton visit:

3.30 pm Welcome liturgy.  You can download the order of service in the multimedia panel on the right.

7.00 pm Mass and healing service celebrated by Taunton’s Parish Priest and Dean Canon John Cunningham.  You can download the order of service in the multimedia panel on the right.
 
10.00 pm Holy hour led by Father Gary Brassington Diocesan Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies and Parish Priest of St Augustine of Canterbury, Matson and English Martyrs, Tuffley, Gloucester.  

12.00 am to 8.30am Night vigil with readings from the writings of St Thérèse on the hour, every hour.  The readings will be linked with the mission of the Church.

8.30 am Mass in honour of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus celebrated by Bishop Declan, homily by Father Michael McAndrew, Director of our Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation.

10.30 am Departure liturgy.

For further information about the Taunton visit contact Canon John Cunningham 01823 27270.

The timetable for the Filton visit:

2.30 pm Welcome liturgy.
 
3.15 pm to 6.30 pm Opportunity for private prayers, veneration of relics. Opportunity for Reconciliation.
 
7.00 pm Mass celebrated by Filton’s Parish Priest and Bristol North West Dean Father Tom Finnegan. Homily by Father Michael McAndrew, Director of our Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation.
 
8.30 pm to 11.30 pm Opportunity for private prayers, veneration of relics. Opportunity for Reconciliation.
 
11.30 pm to 8.30 am Night vigil with readings from the writings of St Thérèse on the hour, every hour.  The readings will be linked with the mission of the Church.
 
9.00 am Mass celebrated by Father Tom Finnegan followed by farewell prayers.

For further information about the Filton visit contact Father Tom Finnegan on 0117 983 3938.

Father Tom is looking forward to hosting the relics and he is keen for people to take part in the singing during the liturgies.  He said: “The well known and inspirational Catholic singer and songwriter Mike Stanley has written a special hymn to commemorate the visit of the relics of St Thérèse to England and Wales.

“Based on her words, the hymn sung by Mike together with Jo Boyce beautifully expresses the love that St Thérèse had for Jesus.

“Mike Stanley has given his permission for it to be used by those who will be visiting the relics.

“At St Teresa’s in Filton we will be sing it at the welcome liturgy and the Mass on 23 September when the relics visit our diocese for the second time.

“So if you are planning to visit the relics, please try to learn the hymn and join in the singing of what will be a special time of grace.”

‘My Song of Today’ is a beautiful rendition of words by St Thérèse herself, by Mike Stanley.  It is suitable to teach everyone to sing. You can download the song along with the words and music in our multimedia panel on the right.  

Parish Priests are reminded to contact Ronnie Mitchinson at our Department for Adult Education and Evangelisation when organising their visits.  This enables Canon John and Father Tom, as hosts, to ensure all visits are undertaken in a respectful and dignified manner and to make sure they can best welcome all those wishing to be present.