St. Therese relic arrive in RP

The country’s Catholic faithful will once again have the privilege of seeing the relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, for a three-month visit and tour around the country.

The relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus arrived yesterday afternoon at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for the second time since it arrived on Jan. 30- April 29, 2000. The relic arrived on board Etihad Airlines flight EY 428 from Lisieux, France via Dubai at around 2:50 p.m. and was brought down from the plane to the NAIA ramp and boarded on a Philippine Air Force open van.

The relic 1.5 meters in length, 0.95 meters in width, 1.85 meters in height and some 132 kilograms in weight or a total of 241 kilos, including the case and was brought to Villamor Air Base Kalayaan Lounge for uncrating by Air Force personnel.

Military Bishop Leo Tumulak and party met Msgr. Lagoutte who accompanied the relic on a separate flight on board Gulf Air at around 10:45 a.m. and stayed at the NAIA Dignitaries’ Lounge while waiting for the relic.

Lagoutte said St. Therese is now 110 years old. One year before she died, she wrote a diary that she wanted to be at a remote island and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Later the relic was turned over to Bishop Leo Tumulak, the St. Therese Church Diocese.

From Villamor Air Base, at around 3:40 p.m. the relic was held in a procession going to St. Therese Church while the Philippine Air Force helicopter dropped some five sacks of rose petals.

The pilgrim relic of St Therese will be brought to different diocese of the country: Jan. 15-19 Shrine of St. Therese of the Child of Jesus (Barangay. Villamor, Pasay City; Jan.20-21, Our Lady of All Nations (Villamor); Jan. 21-22, Navy-Sto Nino Chapel, Bonifacio Naval Station; Jan. 22-23, Army-St. Michael Chapel Fort Bonifacio; Jan. 23-24, Camp Crame- St Joseph Chapel; Jan.24-25, Camp Aguinaldo-St Ignatius Military Cathedral; Jan. 25-27 Diocese of Cubao.

Jan. 28-30, Diocese of Balanga (Bataan); Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Diocese of Tarlac; Feb. 2-5 Vigan Ilocas Sur; Feb. 6-7 Diocese of Malolos; Feb. 8-20 Metro Province of Lipa, Batangas, Mindoro, Lucena and Gumaca Diocese.

On Feb. 21-23, the relics will move to the Archdiocese of Palo Leyte; Feb. 23-24, Diocese of Naval; Feb. 24-27, Archdiocese of Cebu; Feb. 27-March 1, Diocese of Tagbilaran, Bohol; March 1-4 Archdiocese of Jaro, Iloilo; March 4-7, Diocese of Bacolod; March 7-8, Malacañang; March 8-10, Manila Cathedral; and March 10-13, Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Villamor Air Base.