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
Fr Pat Smith’s Ruby Jubilee
On the Feast of the Visitation, 31st May, Fr Pat celebrated 40 years as a priest. Mass was celebrated at 2pm at Our Lady’s Church in Acomb, York, followed by a party in the church grounds. Several priests concelebrated the Mass and Canon Michael Ryan, in his homily,…
Fr Pat Grant celebrates his Diamond Jubilee
Fr Pat Grant, who was for more than 30 years parish priest at St Paulinus, York, celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of his priestly ordination on Sunday 13th June at a concelebrated Mass in the parish of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, Kilkee, County Clare. The principal…
Thanks, Pat, for your 20 years service
Mrs Pat Wilson retired on 30th June after 20 years service in the Curial Office. She joined the team when it was based in what is now the John Paul Centre. She served as Secretary to Mgr Charlton and then to Jim Whiston following Monsignor’s retirement. Mgr…
Pope Benedict XVI – the influence of Augustine
The Cleveland NEWMAN Circle presents Prof Lewis Ayres [Bede Chair of Catholic Theology, Durham University] who will discuss ‘Pope Benedict XVI – the influence of Augustine’ On Wednesday 22nd September 2010, 7.30 pm for 7.45 pm at Middlesbrough…
Saint Teresa of Avila in Art
‘Saint Teresa of Avila in Art’ will be the subject of the meeting at Thicket Priory on Saturday 11th September. There will be a PowerPoint presentation by Johan Bergström-Allen. This meeting will take place at the monastery of Discalced Carmelite nuns at…
Carmelites’ Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The British Province of Carmelites Pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Catholic Association takes place on Friday 20th – Friday 27th August. Contact Johan Bergström-Allen on 01904 411521 for details of any of this or any other Carmelite events.
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
