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Video: Relics of Saint Therese visit Leeds
It was a day for the faithful, an hour for the spiritually in need and perhaps a moment for the simply curious.
The relics of Saint Therese had arrived and thousands from across West Yorkshire turned out for her. Few, if any, left disappointed.
* CLICK HERE TO WATCH A PICTURE SLIDESHOW OF IMAGES FROM TEH VISIT OF THE RELICS OF SAINT THERESE.
The three-day visit of the modern day saint to St Anne's in Leeds began on Saturday when 3,000 to 4,000 visited the Cathedral to venerate the relics. They have been touring the world for 12 years in a decorated casket beneath a glass canopy.
It is anticipated that at least 13,000 will have flocked to the Cathedral for this potentially once-in-a lifetime experience by the time relics of St Therese leave for a Carmelite convent near Sheffield today.
Though no miracle is claimed one multiple sclerosis sufferer who participated in the St Anne's Novena prayers in the weeks prior to Saint Therese's arrival has been told by doctors her MS symptoms have disappeared. She was in the Cathedral for the 11am mass.
The Cathedral gates for those wishing to attend Sunday's first mass at 9.30am and visit the relics were opened at 6am on Sunday.
But the largest attendance was expected for the 11am mass celebrated by the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev Arthur Roche and graced by Emeritus Bishop Dave Konstant.
Before that service, young, old, but mostly middle-aged people, queued down St Anne's Street.
When the gates closed as the Cathedral filled with 700 seated and standing – almost double the capacity – hundreds queued down Cookridge Street in calm determination to pay their respects to the Carmelite nun revered for her philosophy and writings and who died in 1897 aged 24.
Readings in the 90-minute mass included: Isaiah's "Now towards her I send flowing peace, like a river" and "To know the love of Christ which is beyond all knowledge".
During the service Monseigneur Bernard LaGooutts, Recteur of the Basilicia of Lisieux, addressed the congregation via an interpreter,
Over the weekend 42 coaches carrying church members to visit the relics were organised from parishes across West Yorkshire.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
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