Questions
Here is selection of the questions people ask most frequently about the visit of the relics. If they are answered on other pages of the website, there is a link to that page.
If you have further questions, you can e-mail us and we will do our best to answer.
Who was St. Thérèse of Lisieux?
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Why is St. Thérèse considered to be of such importance to us today?
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Where will the relics be going in England and Wales?
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What will actually happen at each venue?
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Isn’t the veneration of relics a form of superstition which has no place in today’s world?
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I am not a Catholic? May I take part in the visit?
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Isn’t there a danger that this visit will be offensive to members of other churches and faiths?
One of the graces we pray for from the visit is a deeper conversion of heart. True conversion always leads to a respectful attitude towards members of other churches and faiths, as well as a desire to share our own with them. While it is possible that a few people may find the visit offensive, a far more likely reaction is one of interest and support.
St. Thérèse has an appeal which is universal: for example, there is a shrine to her in a suburb of Cairo which is frequently visited by Muslims, who call her “the little saint whose wishes Allah always grants.”
I or someone I would like to bring has a disability or is seriously ill: will we be able to take part?
Those who are ill or disabled are especially welcome to participate in the visit. The accessibility will vary between the different venues. Please contact the venue you would like to attend to enquire about wheelchair access and other provisions for the sick and disabled.
Will there be anything special organised for young people and school groups?
Young people and school groups will be warmly welcomed at the participating venues. As each location will be offering a tailor-made programme for visitors, please contact the venue that you would like to bring a group to for information about the specific timetable of events.
What is the “Little Way” all about?
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How can I get more involved in helping the visit to be a success?
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How is the visit being financed and organised?
The visit is under the direction of Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds and Bishop Malcolm MacMahon of Nottingham, and is being organised by Mgr Keith Barltrop, with the help of a group which includes some Carmelite priests. Each place to be visited by the relics has a working group in charge of local organisation. It is financed entirely by donations.
I heard that St. Thérèse is a “Doctor of the Church.” What does that mean?
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What does the casket actually contain?
Some of the bones of St. Thérèse. While it is true that in exceptional cases, the bodies of holy people have remained incorrupt, St. Thérèse herself predicted that her body would decay after her death, and this has been confirmed by the three exhumations of her body that have taken place. From very early days, however, healings and other extraordinary answers to prayer took place at her grave.