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
Medieval Carmelite Friars to be reburied
The remains of more than 20 medieval friars and lay associates of the Carmelite Order in Newcastle and Northallerton are to be reburied following excavations carried out by Durham University Archaeological Services between 2006 and 2008. In Newcastle, some 13…
Apostleship of the Sea’s 90th Anniversary
Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) is a frontline service for the care of seafarers. This year, they celebrated their 90th anniversary. In addition to numerous celebrations throughout the year, in the month of October all European Regional AoS Co-ordinators met in Glasgow…
Thank You, Farewell and Welcome at All Saints, Thirsk
On 22nd September, the parishioners thanked and said farewell to Fr Andrew Smith OPraem with a buffet and wine evening as he left Thirsk to take a new appointment at St Gabriel’s in Ormesby. On 3rd October, the parishioners welcomed Fr James Blenkinsopp, Parish…
English Martyrs’ ‘A Christmas Carol’
The drama group at English Martyrs, York, will present Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, in the Church Hall, Dalton Terrace, 2nd-5th December. Written to influence social conscience, the story includes many of Dickens’ most famous…
Sr Mary Austin Thompson RSM
Sr Mary Austin Thompson died peacefully at the age of 81, in the Convent of Mercy, Eastgate, Hornsea, on 27th August 2010, the day before the feast of her patron, St Augustine. Her body was received into Sacred Heart Church, Hornsea, on Sunday 12th September by Fr…
Read-A-Book-A-Month asks your help
Read-A-Book-A-Month bible challenge invites the help of the whole Diocese in raising the project’s profile on the internet. ‘When I google ‘catholic’ and ‘bible-challenge’ complains Mary Callan, ‘the World Wide Web offers me a…
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?
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
