In processions and moments
of prayer and adoration, thousands of faithful in all the parishes are
venerating the relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, which are in
pilgrimage to the Holy Land until 31 May.
Fr Carmelo Gallardo, vice chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, told AsiaNews
that “the relics’ passage through the various Catholic communities of
Palestine and Israel has brought together thousands of faithful from all
the parishes of the Holy Land.”
“Everywhere people have shown great devotion,” the
priest said. “Many young people have taken part in the processions,
including boy scouts and parish groups.”
There were moments of great emotion during Easter
procession in Bethlehem and Emmaus, Fr Gallardo said. The same occurred
in Haifa where the relics were carried through the streets of the city.
The urn containing the remains of the saint, who is the patron of missions, arrived in Tel Aviv on 14 March.
In two months, it has been seen in the main churches
and parishes of the Holy Land, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth,
Haifa and Emmaus.
For security reasons, the relics did not travel to the Gaza Strip, where they were set to be on display.