To celebrate the 300th anniversary of St Gerard Majella, a nationwide tour of his relics has been organised across England and Wales by Fr. Royston Price, CSsR., of the London Province throughout 2026. This significant celebration brings the saint’s presence to multiple dioceses, offering the faithful an opportunity for prayer, reflection, and devotion. Highlights of the tour, including photos, videos, and recorded testimonies, are being shared on Instagram via @stgerard300.
The relics are visiting 11 dioceses, with the involvement of several diocesan bishops. Among the confirmed stages of the tour are stops in the dioceses of Brentwood, Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Plymouth between 19 January and 13 February 2026.
On 25 April, the Redemptorist parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton, in Liverpool held a special day of celebration for the jubilee. The event was attended by Archbishop John Sherrington alongside a large gathering of the faithful. Also, the relics will be present in the Archdiocese of Westminster from 2 May to 16 May for a two-week period of veneration.
Within the Diocese of Brentwood, the relics visited several parishes, including Holy Trinity in Basildon; Sts James & Helen in Colchester; Our Lady of the Rosary & St Patrick in Walthamstow; and St Anthony in Forest Gate. Toward the end of January, four locations in the Diocese of Leeds hosted the relics, welcoming many faithful participants.
A consistent programme accompanies each visit: churches open at 6:00 pm for personal prayer and confessions, followed by Mass at 7:00 pm. After Mass, individual and family blessings are offered using the relic. Testimonies recounting the life and miracles of St Gerard Majella have also been recorded and made available through Instagram reels, extending the reach of the celebration beyond those able to attend in person.
The tour also carries historical significance, particularly in places like Falmouth, where the first Redemptorist community in the United Kingdom was established in 1843 after arriving from Belgium. Bringing the relics there serves as a meaningful link between past and present.
As part of the tricentenary celebrations, a hymn has been specially commissioned in honour of St Gerard Majella. The piece, set to a well-known hymn tune in the UK, was composed by Fr Edward Hauschild of the Diocese of Portsmouth, whose contribution has been warmly received and appreciated.
Through prayer, liturgy, and shared devotion, this nationwide tour offers a powerful tribute to St Gerard Majella’s enduring legacy.
Scala News
