York Minster to house bones of St Thérèse of Lisieux (From York Press)

York Minster to house bones of St Thérèse of Lisieux

7:39am Tuesday 15th September 2009 in News By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk

PILGRIMS of all denominations are being invited to York Minster as it prepares to take temporary charge of the relics of a Christian saint.

The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux will be homed at the Minster on October 1 and 2 when doors will be open for 18 hours to allow visitors to pray and spend time close to the remains of the French Carmelite nun.

A relic is either part of the physical remains of a holy person after his or her death, or an object which has been in contact with his or her body.

An Irish bishop has said the casket in which St Thérèse’s relics are stored contains not just bones, but the remains of the nun’s love for God.

The Minster is the only non-Catholic venue, apart from Wormwood Scrubs prison, where the relics will appear during a tour of the UK.

Martin Sheppard, marketing manager at the Minster, said the inclusion of a Church-of-England venue for a tour of the sacred Catholic relics was “very unusual” and was “a privilege”. He said: “We have been working very closely with St Wilfrid’s Roman Catholic Church in Duncombe Place and the Carmelite brothers in Heslington; the Carmelite order, of course, is custodian of these remains.”

Mr Sheppard said the Minster had received a letter from a member of the public raising concerns over the hosting of a Catholic relic, but he said: “The Dean has replied to that letter and answered the concerns.”

St Thérèse, pictured, died in September 1897 at the age of 24 and was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1925 after a series of miracles were attributed to her. She is also known as “The Little Flower Of Jesus”.

Her feast day is October 1, which this year coincides with the Minster visit.

“It’s a very prominent date in the calendar for those who are influenced by her teachings,” said Mr Sheppard.

The relics will arrive at the Minster’s West Door at 6pm and will be conveyed to Lady Chapel. There will then be a time of prayer in front of the remains of the young saint.

Other events throughout the 18-hour stay will be Matins at 7am on October 2 and a service in the Nave for children and young people at 11.15am.

For more details on the relics exhibit, phone 0844 939 0016 or visit yorkminster.org