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
Alpha Special
For several years, York’s churches have co-operated in offering the Alpha course, introducing non-believers to Jesus Christ. This autumn, a group at St Bede’s Pastoral Centre will also take part, offering the Alpha course on Monday evenings. ‘The launch evening, with…
Feast of SS Peter and Paul
for XT3 180 seconds June 2009 You can’t give what you haven’t got. It is a simple truth that most of us live by. If we don’t have the faith we can’t pass it on. Jesus asks a simple straightforward question in the gospel, “Who do people say the Son of Man…
Blessing of the Cemetery
at Stanbrook Abbey, Crief Farm, Wass 25 June 2009 Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world We are called to be part of God’s priestly, prophetic and royal people. We know that; we take it for granted. It should…
The Feast of St Philip Neri
26th May 2009 Introduction Philip Neri was born into in 1515 in Florence. He lived his life in Rome and he is described as a truly Renaissance man. One of his many gifts was the art of conversation and encouragement. In all our human relationships the ability to meet…
Grotto Mass homily
Saint Bede the Venerable 25 May 2009 They say that you don’t decide to come to Lourdes of your own will; rather it is Our Lady who calls you to be here. In other words, you never come to Lourdes by accident, even if for some of us it might look like that. If you have…
Opening Mass of the Lourdes pilgrimage
St Bernadette Centre 23 May 2009 : The Way of Bernadette Introduction I was talking to someone earlier on about coming to Lourdes this year. It has been quite a sacrifice on the part of many people given the uncertain economic climate in which we live. So, the first…
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
