The relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux (The Little Flower of Jesus), one of the most popular saints of modern times, and her parents, Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, will visit St Agnes’ Catholic Church in Hay Street Port Macquarie for a short time this Wednesday, 19 February as part of a four-month national pilgrimage.

Assistant Priest at St Agnes’ Parish, Fr Peter Wood, who is coordinating the local visit, said this is a rare opportunity to be close to these three Saints, to share their experience of God’s grace, to be inspired by their holy lives and to seek their intercession with God for your special requests.

“The relics of St Thérèse, a tremendously popular saint, last visited Australia eighteen years ago, so the whole community is invited to come and spend some time at the Church during the visit and to attend any of the Masses and ceremonies we have planned,” Fr Peter said.

St Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) became a Carmelite nun at a very young age and died at the age of 24 from tuberculosis at her convent in France. Her simple way of living, spiritual writings and commitment to small acts of charity and love made her an immensely popular figure. She was canonised in 1925, just 28 years after her death. Known as the Little Flower of Jesus, St Thérèse of Lisieux is an official patron of Christian Missions and a Doctor of the Church.

St Thérèse said, “I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth” and many people believe she has interceded with God on their behalf to grant them special favours.

Pope Francis declared Thérèse’s parents, Louis and Marie-Zélie Martin, saints in 2015. They were the first Catholic married couple to be canonised at the same time. Of their nine children, three died in infancy and one passed away at the age of five. Despite this suffering, the holiness with which the Martins lived their ordinary lives gives great inspiration to parents and families today.

Zélie (1831-1877) died from breast cancer when Thérèse was only four. Louis (1823-1894), single parent to his surviving five daughters (Pauline, Marie, Celine, Leonie and Thérèse, who all became nuns), developed symptoms of dementia later in life and suffered several strokes, passing away just three years before Thérèse.

Bishop Gregory Homeming OCD, Bishop of Lismore says the devotion shown by many Catholics to the relics of Saints is similar to that shown to treasured items given to us by people we have loved and that remind us of that person or a special event.

“Relics are physical remains, which connect us with the goodness and holiness of the saint. They remind us of the saint and through the saint move us to live better lives,” Bishop Homeming said.

“These three saints show us the integrity of virtue and holiness. The path to holiness is the path of struggle and ordinary life… carried and lived with love, and dependence on God. They have been where we are, and have together allowed God to perfect them. Being a family, the Martins prove that the family is the seed ground of holiness and goodness. We can learn from them,” he concluded.

The itinerary for the Port Macquarie leg of the pilgrimage is:
12.00pm Arrival and Welcoming Ceremony at St Agnes’ Catholic Church
1:00 pm Mass (for Schools and community)
2.00 pm Veneration and Visitation (Time for private reflection and for paying personal respect to the Saints)
5.00 pm Mass (all welcome)
5.45 pm Farewell of Relics

People from the surrounding parishes of Wauchope, Kempsey and Laurieton are also expected to attend the ceremonies and veneration.
Brian Hutchinson and his team at Hastings District Funeral and Cremations Service will transport the relics, from Coffs to Taree and for the duration of their visit to Port Macquarie.

Sponsored by Catholic Mission and funeral service provider, InvoCare, the relics will visit 17 Australian dioceses in Queensland, New South Wales and ACT, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia between February and May.

See Catholic Mission’s dedicated webpage for more details about the pilgrimage and full itinerary of the national tour or contact St Agnes’ Catholic Parish on 65 887444 for details about the local visit.