Bogota (Fides Service) - The relics of Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, patron saint of the Missions will be in Colombia from I August to 19 September. The Carmelite Fathers in Colombia with the support of the Bishops’ Conference have organised a “Missionary Pilgrimage for Peace in Colombia” which will touch the country from one end to the other. One of the reasons for the initiative is the mark the 40th anniversary of the institution of the “Santa Teresita” province of Discalsed Carmelites in Colombia. During the coming weeks of “ spiritual marathon” the relics will be carried to 35 dioceses making more than one hundred stops at cathedrals, parish churches, convents and naturally Carmelite Houses. The Carmelites will open their houses for prayer and meditation to all that wish to come to venerate the relics of the Little Flower. In Bogota the final touches are being given to preparations to welcome the arrival relics on 1 August and the official start of the Pilgrimage. Over the past months the event was prepared with an intense campaign in the media and also with spiritual preparation in parishes.
“Some say that Saint Teresa is like a fifth Gospel - Father Liomer Vàsquez Diaz, OCD, pilgrimage Co-ordinator said -. She taught us a Little Way of spiritual childhood, which is a path of love and trust. Saint Teresa comes to visit us with her relics on a mission of peace. On every lap of the pilgrimage the faithful will find all the help necessary to reap spiritual and pastoral benefit from this outstanding event”. A group of priests will be in charge of animating liturgies, prayers, and celebration of the sacraments along the pilgrimage.
Born in Alençon, France, on 2 January 1873, Teresa entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux on 9 April 1888. In 1895 she began to write her spiritual autobiography. She died on 30 September 1897, was beatified in 1923 and canonised in1925. In 1927 Pope Pius XI proclaimed her universal patron of missions with St Francis Xavier. In 1997 Pope John Paul II proclaimed her Doctor of the Church and her relics were brought to St Peter’s for the occasion. Since that date they have been carried in pilgrimage to the remotest corners of the earth and not necessarily with Catholic majorities: Brazil, Argentina for CAM 1, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Ireland, Canada, Australia, Oceania, Lebanon, Iraq, Africa, Poland. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/7/2004 - Righe 28, Parole 394)