Diocese of Middlesbrough
Serving North & East Yorkshire
LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2026
Join the 73rd Middlesbrough Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage and journey with others from across the diocese to one of the Church’s most treasured places of prayer and healing. This six-night pilgrimage offers daily Mass, the sacraments, time at the Grotto, and the shared experience of faith, service, and fellowship. Open to pilgrims of all ages and abilities, Lourdes is a place to pause, pray, and rediscover hope — together as a diocesan family.
If you have never been before, do not worry — everything is gently guided and well supported, and many people make their first pilgrimage each year. You simply come as you are, and travel the journey with others.
Articles
Latest news from around the diocese and beyond
‘The most joyful day of my life’
On Saturday March 28, at St Mary’s Cathedral, FATHER DOUGLAS McKITTRICK became the first priest to be ordained for the Diocese of Middlesbrough by Bishop Marcus. Here, he looks back on this very special occasion… My ordination to the sacred priesthood was the…
Let’s celebrate 60 years of Leeds Trinity University!
All alumni, along with their friends and family, are invited to Leeds Trinity University’s Trinity Sunday Fun Day at the Horsforth Campus on Sunday May 31. This special day marks a joyful milestone in Leeds Trinity’s journey and is an opportunity to come together in…
Food is Pope’s prayer intention for May
Pope Leo XIV lifts up his voice in prayer in a world in which millions of people do not have access to adequate food.His intention for the month of May, “That everyone might have food,” focuses on the most urgent challenges of our time: hunger and wasted food. Through…
Pope holds audience with Archbishop of Canterbury
Pope Leo XIV held an audience with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally, and prayed with her in the Urban VIII Chapel in the Apostolic Palace. In his greetings, the Pope shared his joy to receive the archbishop…
Archbishop condemns ‘abhorrent’ antisemitic attack
Archbishop of Birmingham Bernard Longley, chair of the Department for Dialogue and Unity, has issued a statement condemning the recent antisemitic terror attack in Golders Green. In his statement, Archbishop Longley prays for the victims and condemns rising and…
Sir John is Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture speaker
Wednesday May 13 at 7pm, via Zoom “Hope in Turbulent Times” Middlesbrough Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission is delighted to welcome Sir John Battle as this year’s speaker for the Anthony Storey Memorial Lecture. John was MP for Leeds West for more than 20 years…
About
Middlesbrough Diocese
We have been wonderfully blessed in this part of the world in many ways: in the beauty of our landscape; in the saints and martyrs who have given such powerful witness; and in the abbeys and religious foundations of our history. Today, that same grace is visible in our local communities, which in so many different ways give glory to God through their actions and their attitude to life. We need only look around us to glimpse something of the “thumbprint of God” upon our diocese.
Resources
On the go
Here are a few links to some of the amazing catholic resources that are available to anybody who has access to the internet.
Word on Fire
The Word on Fire online platform is constantly expanding its offerings.
Saint Augustine Institute
The Saint Augustine Institute provides study courses as well as a whole range of online materials for growing and deepening of our understanding of the faith.
EWTN
The Eternal Word Television Network. Many resources from ETWN.
Daily Mass Readings
The scripture passages of today’s Mass provided here on the diocesan site. A prayer to make a spiritual communion is also included for handy access.
Saint Anthony Communications
Some great content made available to watch for free covering a wide range of topics.
Cathechism of the Catholic Church
The whole of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is available on the Vatican website.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Patron of the Diocese of Middlesbrough
In this diocese we are blessed to be under the patronage of our heavenly mother as ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’. This icon shows her Divine Son in her arms and it is a constant reminder to us that we too are held secure in her arms even in times of trial. We ask her prayers for the whole world and in a particular way for our own diocese.
‘It was through the “fiat” the “yes” of the Virgin Mary that the Incarnation took place. Mary is very much our model…..Through her faith, she disposed herself to allow the Word of God to become flesh in her.’
Bishop Terry Drainey – Emeritus Bishop of Middlesbrough
‘Our Lady [of Perpetual Succour] heard my prayer and vouchsafed me a miraculous cure of……which has…..caused me much trouble and suffering, and has been a sad drawback to me in my work. The cure was instantaneous and complete.’
Bishop Richard Lacy – 1st Bishop of Middlesbrough
‘It is my prayer…..that devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in this church and elsewhere, may continue…..showing to many the limitless mercy of God for us all, His little ones, and made manifest in Jesus Christ our Lord.’
Cardinal Vincent Nichols – Archbishop of Westminster
‘Make her known to the whole world!’
Pope Pius IX
Diocesan Diary Dates
Events happening throughout 2026
Rite of Election
3pm Sunday 22nd February (First Sunday in Lent)
Chrism Mass
Cathedral 12 noon, Tuesday 31st March
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Sunday 24th May – Saturday 30th May
Annual Postgate Rally
Ugthorpe this year – Sunday 12th July. 3pm Mass
Assumption Pilgrimage
Sunday 16th August. 3pm Mass
Mass for Deceased Clergy
Cathedral, Monday 4th November. 12pm
Vocation
What is your calling?
Is God calling you?
The question may have come quietly — a persistent sense that there is something more, a deepening desire to give yourself to God and to others. It may have unsettled you, or consoled you, or both.
The Church teaches that every Christian life is a vocation — a call spoken personally by God. Discerning the particular shape of that call takes time, prayer, and good accompaniment.
If you are exploring a vocation to priesthood, the permanent diaconate, religious life, consecrated life, or simply want to understand what the Church teaches about vocation and discernment, click the button below to discover more.
Diocesan Curial Offices
50a The Avenue, Linthopre, Middlesborugh. TS5 6QT
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Dalby Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TW
