News

Thousands of pilgrims venerate Therese's relics at Aylesford
12 October 2009

Thousands of pilgrims came to "The Friars", the Carmelite priory in Aylesford, Kent, over the weekend of 9th-11th October, to draw closer to God by venerating the relics of his "Little Flower" Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. This report focuses upon the events on Saturday 10th October, a day of particular celebration for Southwark Archdiocese. A separate report will focus on the Sunday's events. For a report on the arrival of the relics on Friday 9th October please click here. For BBC coverage of the visit of the relics to Aylesford please click here.

Early on Saturday morning pilgrims began to arrive at "The Friars".

Pilgrims arriving at Aylesford for a special day

Many came by coach in order to reduce traffic (at the highpoint of the day cars queued for almost two hours to reach The Friars). It is estimated that perhaps as many as 15,000 pilgrims came to Aylesford on the Saturday, making it the largest single gathering at the one time of pilgrims in the presence of the relics during their month-long visit to England and Wales.

Coaches filled the carpark at Aylesford

Pilgrims who arrived in the morning set off down the Rosary Way to access the Relic Chapel where the reliquary of Saint Thérèse was placed near to the reliquary of Saint Simon Stock.

Pilgrims were united in their love of Saint Thérèse

Hundreds of volunteers were on hand to welcome pilgrims, provide programmes, offer refreshments, sell roses, and so on. The Society of the Little Flower gave out prayer cards to pilgrims as a souvenir of their visit.

Fr. Kevin Melody helping members of the Society of the Little Flower

Carmelite friars, including the Vocations Promoter of the British Province, Fr. Pat O'Keeffe (pictured below), also gave out prayer cards and welcomed pilgrims to Aylesford, some of whom had travelled hundreds of miles.

Fr. Pat welcoming pilgrims

Many pilgrims asked the friars to bless their roses

Brother Neil Scott welcoming pilgrims with a smile

Carmelite novice Brother Andy Joyce with a visiting Lay Carmelite

Many pilgrims took the opportunity of visiting the exhibition about the life and message of Saint Thérèse in the Conference Centre, where there was also a display about vocations to the Carmelite way of life.

Pilgrims learning about Saint Thérèse from the exhibition panels

So many people wanted souvenirs of their pilgrimage that a queue was formed outside the gift shop.

The North Barn (dedicated to Saint Edith Stein) was opened specially as a repository where pilgrims could purchase gifts.

The retreat on Saint Thérèse which had begun on Thursday continued at various points throughout the day on Saturday. The Prior General of the Carmelite Order, Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, spoke about Thérèse and her relationship with God through the Sacraments.

The Prior General speaking in the Conference Centre

As pilgrims queued along the Rosary Way, it gave them the opportunity to talk with Carmelite friars. Many asked for prayers and blessings.

Fr. Bob Colaresi praying over pilgrims on their way to venerate the relics of St. Thérèse

Pilgrims also had the opportunity of meeting friars and diocesan clergy through the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Hundreds of people went to confession during their pilgrimage, some coming to celebrate the sacrament for the first time in many years.

Pilgrims and priests celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Many pilgrims had come from London, including several groups of African and Afro-Carribean women who came dressed in special costumes bearing the image of Saint Thérèse.

As 11.30, the time for Mass, approached, a huge throng of pilgrims congregated on the piazza in front of the main shrine, blessed with glorious sunshine. According to members of the Aylesford community, this was the largest such gathering for decades.

Pilgrims congregating in the piazza

Brothers Michael Brookes and Paul Jenkins among the pilgrims

Pilgrims of every age came to pray to God in the presence of Thérèse's relics

At 11.30am the Mass began, presided over by Most Rev. Kevin McDonald, Archbishop of Southwark.

Brother Ged Walsh watches as Archbishop Kevin processes to the altar

Archbishop Kevin was joined at the altar by Bishop Howard Tripp, diocesan clergy and Carmelite friars

The Prior General with General Councillor for Europe Fr. John Keating

Vibrant singing was the order of the day!

Preparing to proclaim the Good News

The homily was preached by Fr. John Keating, O.Carm., Councillor General for Europe. You can read the text of the homily by clicking here.

Fr. John Keating preaching

Pilgrims at prayer

The collection and offertory procession

Brother Michael McMullen, O.Carm.

Fr. David Waite, O.Carm., distributing holy communion

The Prior General looks out across the crowds of pilgrims

Most Rev. Kevin McDonald, Archbishop of Southwark

After Mass the relics were carried back from the main shrine to the Relic Chapel where they were venerated by the Archbishop and clergy.

Archbishop Kevin venerating the relics

The Knights of Saint Columba alongside the relics

Brother Andy Joyce praying alongside the relics

After Mass pilgrims began to picnic on the lawns at The Friars, and to form a queue to venerate the relics. The line began on the lawn next to the Duck Pond ...

... and continued around the Great Courtyard ...

... wended past the Pilgrims' Hall and Prior's Hall ...

... continued in front of reception and the main shrine, and around the entire length of the Rosary Way.

Despite the long wait pilgrims were in high spirits, and the queues afforded friars the opportunity to be amongst the people.

Brother Paul de Groot, O.Carm., talking with pilgrims in the queue

Fr. Kevin Alban, O.Carm., hearing confessions of those queueing

In the mid-afternoon pilgrims began to reconvene in the piazza in front of the main shrine for a service of healing.

Carmelite tertiary Sìne Cameron-Mowat awaiting the start of the healing service

The service was beautifully accompanied by music provided by friars and a group from CathCom.

The service was not a celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick, but rather a reflection on God's Word in the light of the experience of Saint Thérèse who herself suffered sickness that was physical, emotional and spiritual.

Brother Andy Joyce caring for one of the younger musicians!

Carmelite friars attending the healing service

The service was led by the Prior of Aylesford, Fr. Brendan Grady, O.Carm.

Carmelite friars at prayer: (left-right), Fr. Fernando Millán Romeral, Fr. Piet Wijngaard, Bro. Paul Jenkins, Fr. Francis Kemsley

One of St. Thérèse's poems was read by Sister Eithne Donoghue, C.P.

 

A homily was preached by Fr. Damian Cassidy, O.Carm.

The service concluded with the distribution of oil which had been blessed with a relic of St. Thérèse.

Dishes of oil awaiting blessing

 

Fr. Brendan blessed the oil of healing with a relic of St. Thérèse

 

The Prior General being anointed with the blessed oil

 

All the liturgies were broadcast on the internet courtesy of CathCom; to review the footage please click here.

Photography by Johan Bergström-Allen and catholicrelics.co.uk. Additional photographs can be viewed online by clicking here for the Bishops' Conference pages on Flickr.

A write-up of the events on Sunday 11th October will be posted separately.