Rome, Italy, Nov 14, 2007 / 11:41 am
At this week’s General Audience with Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square, thousands of pilgrims were able to venerate the relics of St. Therese of Lisieux.
According to Vatican Radio, the relics were taken to the Vatican as part of a pilgrimage throughout Italy, giving Catholics the chance to venerate the relics of the French saint. The pilgrimage will also coincide with the 10th anniversary of her proclamation as Doctor of the Church on October 19, 1997, the 120th anniversary of her encounter with Pope Leo XIII on November 20, 1887, and the 80th anniversary of her proclamation as patroness of the missions, together with St. Francis Xavier.
The pilgrimage is being led by Bishop Pierre Pican of Bayeux and Lisieux, France and the Rector of the Basilica of Lisieux, Msgr. Bernard Lagoutte.
The relics of St. Therese have been venerated in numerous countries throughout the world in recent years, usually at Carmelite monasteries.