Relics of St Gerard Majella – Tour
The Tour of the Relics of St Gerard Majella – February 2026
Diocese of Middlesbrough
In February 2026, the Diocese of Middlesbrough will be blessed to welcome the relics of St Gerard Majella, one of the most loved saints in the Catholic Church. This sacred visit offers a rare and prayerful opportunity for the faithful to draw close to the life, witness, and spiritual legacy of a saint whose holiness was rooted in humility, compassion, and trust in God.
The tour will include Masses and opportunities for personal prayer and blessings across the Diocese, including Middlesbrough, York, and Hull. Churches will be open for prayer before each Mass, allowing individuals and families time for quiet reflection in the presence of the relics.
Who was St Gerard Majella?
St Gerard Majella (1726–1755) was an Italian lay brother of the Redemptorist Order. He lived a short life but one marked by extraordinary holiness in ordinary circumstances. Known for his deep obedience, kindness, and devotion to God, Gerard carried out humble tasks within his religious community while quietly living a life of intense prayer and charity.
He is especially known as the patron saint of expectant mothers, families, and those longing for children, but his appeal extends far beyond this. St Gerard is remembered as a saint who understood human suffering, who listened patiently, and who trusted completely in God’s providence.
His sanctity was not found in grand achievements but in faithfulness to daily duties — a message that resonates powerfully in modern life.
What are relics, and why do they matter?
In the Catholic tradition, relics are physical reminders of the saints — often a fragment of bone, clothing, or an object associated with them. The Church honours relics not as objects of superstition, but as tangible connections to the “communion of saints”: the belief that those who have gone before us in faith remain united with us in Christ.
Relics remind us that holiness is real, lived, and embodied. The saints were not ideas or legends; they were people of flesh and blood who faced struggles, doubts, and suffering — just as we do.
When Catholics venerate relics, they are not worshipping the saint, but honouring God’s work in that person’s life and asking for the saint’s prayers and intercession.
The spiritual significance of visiting the relics
Coming into the presence of the relics of St Gerard Majella is an invitation to slow down, to pray, and to reflect on God’s closeness. Many people describe a deep sense of peace, comfort, or renewed faith when praying before relics — not because of any magic, but because such moments open the heart more fully to God.
For some, this may be a time to pray for family members, for healing, for guidance, or simply for strength to carry daily burdens. For others, it may be a quiet moment of gratitude or recommitment to faith.
The Church teaches that God’s grace works through signs — water, oil, bread, wine — and relics form part of this sacramental imagination. They point beyond themselves to Christ, reminding us that God works through real lives and real history.
Blessings and prayer opportunities
As part of the tour, individual or family blessings with the relic will be available after Mass. These blessings are moments of pastoral care and prayer, especially meaningful for families, couples, those carrying personal concerns, or anyone seeking reassurance and hope.
Churches will be open for at least one hour before Mass to allow personal prayer before the relics. This quiet time is often one of the most powerful aspects of a relic visit, offering space away from the noise and pressure of daily life.
A moment for the whole Diocese
This visit is not just for those with a particular devotion to St Gerard, but for anyone seeking encouragement in faith. Saints remind us that holiness is possible in every state of life — in family homes, workplaces, illness, and uncertainty.
At a time when many people feel tired, anxious, or spiritually disconnected, the presence of relics can serve as a gentle but profound reminder: God is near, grace is real, and faith is lived one step at a time.
Tour dates and locations (February 2026)
Tuesday 3 February – Middlesbrough
Sacred Heart Church: 6:30pm MassWednesday 4 February – York
Oratory Church of St Wilfrid: 7:00pm MassThursday 5 February – Hull
St Charles Borromeo Church: 12 noon Mass
Our Lady of Lourdes & St Peter Chanel: 7:30pm Mass
All are welcome
Whether you come with a clear intention, a heavy heart, or simple curiosity, you are warmly invited. The Church offers this moment as a gift — a chance to pause, to pray, and to rediscover the quiet strength of faith lived faithfully.
St Gerard Majella’s life reminds us that holiness grows in small acts of love, patience, and trust. His relics now come among us not to draw attention to themselves, but to point us once again toward Christ.