Tuesday, 03 July 2012

The heart of St John Vianney arrvies in the UK today. Everyone from the Diocese of Salford is invited to venerate this relic of the patron saint of clergy. Many will remember the extraordinary time when 30,000 people visited our own Cathedral as the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux came to the UK. The heart will be at St Anthony's, Wythenshawe on Thursday 5th July from 4pm. There is a special Mass of the Sacred Priesthood at 7pm. On Friday 6th July, the relic will be at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool. The relic will also visit Northwich and Shrewsbury.

The Church of St Anthony, Wythenshawe, Manchester, will host the relic during the late afternoon and early evening of Thursday July 5th when priests will gather to celebrate a Mass in thanksgiving for the “gift of the sacred priesthood”.

The public will also be able to venerate the relic. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity to go to Confession.

On Friday July 6th the relic will be taken to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool for a National Day of prayer for vocations and the renewal of parish life.

The purpose of the visit is to provide an occasion of prayer for the renewal of the ministerial priesthood in the diocese, to inspire new and generous vocations, and to spur the renewal of the mission and life of the parishes.

Bishop Davies of Shrewbury, the diocese hosting the relic, said: “The visit of the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux to Britain in 2009 had a great impact on the many thousands who spent time to pray and reflect on the life of the saint.

“The visit of the relics of St John Vianney will likewise be a moment for many to reflect on what should be at the heart of parish life, the heart of the priesthood – the same call to holiness and witness to the Gospel which was seen in the life of this great parish priest.”

Listen to Bishop Davies explain to the BBC why it is good that the relic is coming.

In brief:

THURSDAY 5th JULY
St Anthony's, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe M22 0WR
4pm – 6.30pm Veneration of the Relic of the Curé d’Ars and Confessions 
7pm – 9pm "Celebrating the gift of the Sacred Priesthood": Concelebrated Mass
9pm – 10pm Veneration of the Relic resumes, concluding with Compline

FRIDAY 6th JULY
Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool L3 5TQ
10am Morning Prayer and Homily
12 noon Concelebrated Mass
3pm Vespers and Homily
There are Confessions and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the day.

St Michael and All Angels, Woodchurch, Wirral CH43 5LE
6pm – 9pm Veneration of the Relic, Confessions concluding with Compline 8.45pm

SATURDAY 7th JULY
St Wilfrid’s, Witton Street, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 5NP
9am – 11am Morning Prayer, Veneration of the Relic and Confessions

Shrewsbury Cathedral, Town Walls, Shrewsbury SY1 1TE
12:30pm – 5.30pm Mass and Veneration of the Relic and Confession

Download a flyer.

For more information, please visit the Diocese of Shrewsbury website.