Portsmouth first stop

Portsmouth is first stop on UK visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux

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.

Further information and contact

St Thérèse of Lisieux - Portsmouth information (pdf)

Canon David Hopgood, Cathedral Dean
St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth
Tel: +44 (0) 23 9282 6613
E-mail: info@PortsmouthCatholicCathedral.org.uk
Website: portsmouthcatholiccathedral.org.uk

Issued on behalf of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. Contact Barry Hudd, Bishop's Press Officer.
Tel 07770 538693

What actually happens?

The relics are contained in a large, sealed casket, which will be taken round over 20 churches in England and Wales. They will remain in each place for between one and three days.

In each venue the casket will be placed on display in a prominent place. There will be a Mass and other services each day, but most of the time will be left free for people to come and venerate the relics and pray for whatever is in their hearts.

Stewards will direct you in an orderly way to come and venerate the relics. How you do that is entirely up to you. Some people like to kiss the casket, or place their hands reverently upon it, while others may prefer just to pray quietly for a few moments.

There will also be plenty of priests available to hear your Confession or give spiritual advice