Meet the team

With the relics arriving in England this afternoon, we feature a little on the logisitics of the national tour. A certain amount of military precision is involved in planning a month-long event; handy, then, that the man who has to oversee the practicalities is a former army Major. David Baldwin, seen here, is the logistics manager for the national organising committee. He will travel with the relics for the entire visit, and has been involved with organising the event from the outset. Last September he visited Lancaster Cathedral with Mgr Keith Barltrop, who is in overall charge of the national tour.

This is the "Thérèse mobile", which will be used to carry the relics throughout the tour.

In previous tours the vehicle itself has become a bit of a star - a bit like the 'popemobile'! For the tour of England and Wales the 'Thérèse mobile' seems to be unmarked.

An Anglican funeral director, Adrian Forsey of Somerset, has taken on the responsibility of transporting the relics. He will drive the 'Thérèse mobile' and will oversee the lifting and carrying of the relics at each venue. In total a party of seven will accompany the relics around the country: Fr Keith, David and Adrian will be joined by a couple of representatives of the shrine at Lisieux, a media spokesperson and a religious whose role will be to speak about the tour and to promote vocations. The scene is set. The tour begins in Portsmouth tomorrow.

Relics and Pilgrimage

Yesterday afternoon there were two talks in the Cathedral Social Centre, focussing on relics and pilgrimage. Caroline Hull, the Cathedral's events co-ordinator, talked about relics and pilgrimage in the Middle Ages; her talk looked at some of the aspects of pilgrimage which are relevant to the forthcoming visit of St Thérèse. Afterwards Fr Andrew talked about the history of the relics of St Thérèse, speaking about how she had died in obscurity but devotion to her quickly spread after her death. The talk charted how Lisieux had quickly become a place of pilgrimage and how, after 1997, the relics themselves began to draw crowds all over the world. There is a talk on Thérèse's life in the Cathedral 'day chapel' tomorrow evening at 7:30pm; this coming Saturday there is a training session for anyone who would like to help with the visit (2-5pm at the Cathedral). There is also a day of recollection at Kendal and a session on the Carmelite Way in Carlisle. Full details of all these events can be found here. Meanwhile, it's now just two days until the relics arrive in England and two weeks until they reach Lancaster.

Novena: prayer for those who doubt

This image of St Thérèse was taken only a couple of months before her death. It is in facing death that each of us endures our greatest test of faith. In the Diocesan Novena this week we pray for all those who doubt or struggle to find faith in God.

Intention for this week: those who doubt/struggle with faith

For the final 18 months of her life, Thérèse endured great suffering as the result of illness. Alongside this there was a form of spiritual suffering, as she felt that heaven “was closed” to her. She never lost her faith, but found it impossible to feel God’s presence. This experience of darkness for Thérèse reminds us how great a gift it is to have a sense of God’s presence in our lives; it is an invitation to pray for those who have no faith or who struggle to believe. Jesus’ question in the Gospel is also meant for each of us: “Who do you say I am?” This week we pray for a deeper, stronger faith in Christ.

Intercession:
Let us pray for those who struggle to believe in Christ – that by the prayers of St Thérèse they may find certainty in the truth which God has revealed to us.

Thérèse's Solemn Profession

There are 20 days to go until the relics of St Thérèse arrive in Lancaster, and just eight days until the tour of England and Wales begins. Today is the anniversary of the solemn profession of St Thérèse in Carmel, which took place in 1890. She was just 17 years old when she made this final commitment to spend her life in the monastery. The picture here, which shows Thérèse lying on the floor as a sign of her dependence to God and submission to His will, is taken from the book for children produced for the Lancaster visit.

Mother Agnes of Jesus

On this day in 1861 Pauline Martin, Thérèse's older sister, was born. Thérèse always had a special attachment to Pauline, and when their mother died the young Thérèse said, "Pauline will be my mother now." In October 1882 Pauline entered the Carmelite monastery at Lisieux, and her departure from the family home came as a huge blow to Thérèse, who became very ill. Later, after Thérèse had enetered the same Carmel, Pauline was elected Prioress. In this role Pauline (who in religious life was known as 'Mother Agnes of Jesus') asked Thérèse to write an account of her early years. This instruction brought about one of the greatest and most popular spiritual texts ever written: the 'Story of a Soul', Thérèse's autobiography, which was published a year after her death. We have great cause to be greatful to Mother Agnes, therefore, as without her we may never have known anything of St Thérèse.

Novena: prayer for religious

As the anniversary of Thérèse's solemn profession in Carmel approaches, this week in the Diocesan Novena we pray for all who serve God and the Church in religious life.

Intention for this week: those in religious life

On 8th September 1890 Thérèse – still just 17 years of age – made her final profession, committing the rest of her life to Carmel. For the remaining nine years of her time on earth she lived a life of prayer and service. Although she never left the confines of the monastery she served the world by her prayers. Throughout the world today there are countless religious women and men who devote their lives to prayer and service, living lives of poverty, chastity and obedience. In the words of St James, they are “poor according to the world but rich in faith.”

Intercession:
Let us pray for those who live the religious life – that by the intercession of St Thérèse they may be faithful to their calling.

St Thérèse: her story for children

For the visit of St Thérèse, which is now just 23 days away, we have produced a book for children. It tells the story of Thérèse's life from the day of her birth right up to the travels of her relics around the world. Based on resources which we sent out to every school in the Diocese in June, the booklet has been beautifully illustrated by local artist Wendy Moore, with a text written for the Cathedral. Copies of the 20-page book will be available throughout the visit, as will a range of other books, devotional items and souvenirs. More information will be posted in due course.

St Thérèse events in September

As the arrival of the relics approaches, here is an image of the reliquary during the visit to New Zealand in September/October 2005. It is now just 15 days before the tour of England and Wales begins; once it is underway we will follow its progress on this blog. Also in the coming month there will be regular updates on our behind the scenes preparations, plus useful practical information about the visit. For today, though, here is a brief look ahead to some events happening this month before the relics arrive. At the Cathedral Social Centre on 13th September there are two talks: one surveying the history of relics and another looking at the life and relics of St Thérèse herself. Then on the evening of 15th September, at the Cathedral 'day chapel', the life of the saint will be explored using images of her home town, Lisieux. On 19th September there is a training afternoon for anyone helping with the visit (stewarding etc), and also a day of recollection for the South Lakes Deanery, taking place at Brettargh Holt near Kendal. On the same day in Carlisle a day session called 'Glimpses of the Carmelite Way' will take place at St Bede's Church. Finally, the Cathedral's new St Thérèse cloister garden will be opened and blessed on Sunday 27th September (the day before the relics come to Lancaster) at the end of Vespers. If you're interested in any of these events, find more details on the diary page, here.

Novena: prayer for the conversion of sinners

This image shows a confessional in the Cathedral Church of St Pierre in Lisieux, where Thérèse made her first confession. This week the Diocesan Novena prays for the grace of conversion for all who have turned from God.

Intention for this week: the conversion of sinners

In early September 1887 Thérèse read an account of the execution of a murderer by the name of Pranzini. She already knew of this man and had spent much time praying that he might repent of his crime before his death. He had shown no sign of remorse until – moments before his execution - he asked for a crucifix and kissed it. Thérèse took this as a sign that her prayers had been answered, and rejoiced that a soul had been saved. In today’s first reading at Mass we hear of the value of God’s Law, and in the Gospel reading Jesus criticises those whose hearts are far from God, even when they pay Him lip service. This week let us pray for the conversion of those who have turned from God, and ask that each of us may sincerely try to follow God’s will.

Intercession:
Let us pray for conversion - that all of us, especially those who are far from God, may return to Him with the help of the prayers of St Thérèse.

Novena: prayer for families

This image of Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of St Thérèse who were beatified in October 2008, is shown today as in the Diocesan Novena we begin a week of prayer for married couples and for the welfare of family life.

Intention for this week: marriage and family life

Thérèse was fortunate to be born into a loving family, but her happiness was short-lived. Her mother Zélie died on 29 August 1877 (132 years ago this week), when Thérèse was just four years old. The family home was a faith-filled environment, from which Thérèse and all four of her surviving sisters entered religious life. Her father, with whom she was very close, suffered with dementia at the end of his life, and this caused Thérèse and her sisters great pain. Last October Thérèse’s father and mother were beatified: now Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin are venerated as models of holiness in married life. As today we hear St Paul remind us that love is at the heart of both family life and the Church, let us pray that all families may grow in holiness and in love.

Intercession:
Let us pray for families – that by the prayers of St Thérèse and of her blessed parents, all homes may be places of holiness and love.

Novena: prayer for the Pope

In November 2007 the relics of St Thérèse visited the Vatican and the Pope had opportunity to pray before them. This week in the Diocesan Novena we pray for the Pope and his intentions.

Intention for this week: the Pope and his intentions

On a pilgrimage to Rome in 1887 Thérèse had an opportunity to meet Pope Leo XIII. She had been told in advance that she should remain silent. Unable to stop herself, however, she made her request: she wanted to become a Carmelite at 15 and asked the Pope for his permission. “If it is God’s will, you will enter”, he replied. From the desire of this individual to the pressing concerns of the whole Church, the Pope is charged with the responsibility of leading the world to Christ. Pope Benedict’s intentions for this time include prayer for refugees and displaced peoples, and for Christians suffering persecution or discrimination; we pray for him and for his intentions, as Thérèse did during her time in Carmel.

Intercession:
Let us pray for Pope Benedict – that by the intercession of St Thérèse he may be sustained in his task of leading the Church.

All-night Youth Vigil

The all-night youth vigil will take place on the night of Tuesday 29th September. Although it's designed specifically for young people, anyone is welcome to attend. The Diocesan Youth Service, which is organising this part of the visit, has recently sent publicity to every parish and has launched its own webpages for the event; you can find the site here. Meanwhile, all the religious houses in the Diocese have been contacted in preparation for the all-night vigil for clergy and religious (Monday 28th September; again, all welcome). More details will follow in due course.

Novena: prayer for young people

Here Thérèse is seen at the age of 15; she has changed her hairstyle to make herself seem a little older in an attempt to win permission to enter Carmel at her young age. Prayer for young people is the theme of the Diocesan Novena this week.

Intention for this week: young people

With exam results due soon, we pray for young people. This week in 1921 Pope Benedict XV issued a decree on the ‘heroic virtues’ of St Thérèse and so made her a model for young people to follow. Thérèse was a headstrong child and from an early age was certain of the path which God had chosen for her. When she applied to enter Carmel at age 15, she was denied entry because she was too young, but Thérèse was not prepared to let her youthfulness stand in her way. After a determined struggle she obtained permission from her family, from the Prioress and from the local Bishop. Just 24 years old when she died, Thérèse became a natural patron for the youth. As we prepare for her visit we pray for young people, that – in the words of St Paul – they may imitate God and follow Christ.

Intercession:
Let us pray for young people, especially those who are awaiting exam results – that by the prayers of St Thérèse they may find and follow the path which God has chosen for them.

Patron of the skies

It may seem unlikely, given that she died a few years before the first flight took place, but Thérèse is the patron saint of aviators and aircrew. Presumably she was chosen on account of her desire to travel the world as a missionary. Thérèse is also a patron saint of missionaries, of the World Youth Day, of those who have lost their parents, of those with HIV/AIDS or tubercolosis, of florists, of France, of Russia and of priests. It's quite a list, and is a sign of the widespread appeal which this wonderful saint has.

Novena: prayer for priests

This mosaic in the Basilica at Lisieux is a reminder of Thérèse's desire to help priests in their life and work. Over the image of a priest the words read, "I will help the priests". Priests, and vocations to the priesthood, are the subject of the Diocesan Novena this week.

Intention for this week: priests and vocations to the priesthood

This coming Tuesday we will celebrate the feast of St John Vianney, the patron saint of priests throughout the world. It is 150 years since he died, and Pope Benedict has asked us to mark the anniversary by keeping a year of prayer for priests. During her life in Carmel St Thérèse dedicated herself to praying for two young missionary priests. In this way she supported their efforts to bring Christ to others. As we hear Jesus in the Gospel describe Himself as ‘the Bread of Life’, we thank God for the priesthood, by which the Eucharist is given to us.

Intercession:
Let us pray for priests and for vocations to the priesthood – that by the intercession of St Thérèse and St John Vianney the Church may always have holy and dedicated priests to serve God’s people.