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
Cathedral to host powerful new passion play
Riding Lights Theatre Company presents Night Falls, a new passion play by Paul Birch to be performed at St Mary’s Cathedral in Middlesbrough.Set over the four days leading up to the crucifixion, Night Falls retells the Easter story through two strangers sheltering in…
Bishop Terry’s January 2026 column
On the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 2024, we began the celebration of the opening of the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025. A year on, the Holy Door at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls was closed on December 28 and the Holy Year concluded in…
A message from Emeritus Bishop Terence Patrick Drainey
Today, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has accepted my resignation as Bishop of Middlesbrough and has appointed Bishop Marcus Stock, the Bishop of Leeds, as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Middlesbrough.I am very grateful to His Holiness for having entrusted…
A Message to the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Dioceses of Middlesbrough and Leeds
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Following acceptance of the resignation in accordance with Canon 401 §1* of the Rt Rev Terence Patrick Drainey as Bishop of Middlesbrough, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed me as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of…
Bishop Richard Moth appointed new Archbishop of Westminster
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Right Reverend Richard Moth as Archbishop of Westminster. Ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Southwark on July 3 1982, Archbishop-elect Moth has served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015. Before…
Pope Leo XIV: Christians living amid war are seeds of peace
Pope Leo is inviting us to pray throughout December for Christian communities who live in war-torn or conflict zones. Leo XIV invites them to not feel abandoned and to be “seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope”, asking all Christians in the world “to not fall into…
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
Egton Bridge this year – Sunday 5th July. 3pm Mass
Assumption Pilgrimage
Sunday 16th August. 3pm Mass
Mass for Deceased Clergy
Cathedral, Monday 4th November
Vocation
What is your calling?
If you wish to find out more about pursuing a potential vocation to the priesthood, the permanent deaconate or religious life, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our vocations director Canon Alan Sheridan:
Diocesan Curial Offices
50a The Avenue, Linthopre, Middlesborugh. TS5 6QT
Saint Mary’s Cathedral
Dalby Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0TW
