Pilgrims flock to see remains of saint (From Oxford Mail)

Pilgrims flock to see remains of saint

8:00pm Wednesday 7th October 2009 in

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THEY came in their hundreds for a chance to pray and worship in the presence of the remains of a 19th century nun.

Crowds queued beneath umbrellas in the pouring rain along Oxford’s Woodstock Road for the 6pm arrival of the relics of Roman Catholic St Thérèse of Lisieux at Oxford Oratory tonight.

The bells of the neighbouring Anglican church St Giles’ were rung to welcome the 132kg glass-enclosed casket, containing part of an arm and a leg, before pilgrims filled the Oratory.

The relics of the Carmelite nun arrived in Britain for a tour of England and Wales at the beginning of September. Oxford is one of 28 locations where St Thérèse’s remains will visit.

Anne Morgan, 44, of St Bernard Road, Jericho, Oxford, said: “I was so excited to see the relics, and a little bit overwhelmed to see so many people who have such great faith in her. It’s more emotional than rational.”

Bernadette Downs of Temple Cowley, Oxford, said: “It was an honour to be here, she is my favourite saint.

“I have had a lot of tragedy in my life and have suffered a great deal. I turn to her and things become easier for me.”

The first to arrive was a man who had travelled from Munich and arrived at 7.15am – waiting 11 hours for the casket, which was carried by six pupils from the Oratory School in Woodcote, near Wallingford.

Some worshippers were planning to stay up all night to stand vigil over the relics, while others pressed flower petals to the casket – believing they had been sanctified by the saint’s presence.

Fr Richard Duffield, of the Oratory, said: “It is a very exciting, unifying and prayerful time for all the community of Oxford, not just the Catholics.”

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