Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway

God is working miracles in England through the "reverse pilgrimage" of the relics of St. Therese, who died 112 years ago this evening.  Something like 6,500 "little souls" venerated the relics at the Lancaster Cathedral.  Please see the bishops' blog for the tour of the relics for powerful stories.  Commenting on the many ill and elderly who struggled through the uncertainties of rural transport to pray before the relics, the national blog of the Catholic Church adds:

"At the same time, there is a sense that Therese has acted as a catalyst, allowing Catholics the opportunity to congregate, enjoy each other’s company, pray together and to ‘be Church’ in a unique way. There is a feeling of having had the opportunity to reclaim Catholic heritage, regardless of potential misunderstanding and criticism from outsiders … and to everybody’s surprise, the result has been amazingly positive and supportive from even the most unlikely media quarters. Believers and unbelievers will be left with a memory of a very special togetherness, a moment catalysed by the bones of a young Carmelite nun who died a century ago." 

Please also see the beautiful photos and moving text from the Lancaster Cathedral blog for the visit.  The relics are now at St. Andrew's Church in Newcastle; on the feast tomorrow they will be at the Anglican Cathedral,  York  Minster.  Let's pray "that all may be one."