Scottish Catholic Observer

The Knights of St Columba were charged with ensuring the relics were taken safely from diocese to diocese, and members of the order stood by their side at all times, ensuring the saint was protected.

Brian Henry, a director of the order, helped organise the saint’s visit to Scotland.

Spirituality

Reflecting on their hard work, he said: “It was such a spiritual thing for our guys. It was wonderful for them to see the reaction of so many people throughout the country.

“We are honoured and really privileged to have witnessed the actions of people as they venerated the relics.

“It was such a humbling experience for us to witness that act of Faith.”

Mr Henry added: “It’s quite something to witness such Faith in action, especially in these days where there are so many people saying the Church is dying.

“I was talking to our guys about it the other day, and they said they would do it again tomorrow if they could.

“In total, there were almost 400 hours of St Thérèse being venerated, and we were there for most of it`.”

Joy

Mr Henry said a personal highlight was the visit to St Columba’s Cathedral in Oban.

“The hospitality everywhere was fantastic but one memorable thing for me was in the early hours of the morning in Oban, where we were given fresh mussels and a big bowl of soup,” he said.

Centenary

2019 is the Knights’ centenary year. Founded in Glasgow on October 5 1919, the fraternal organisation now has more than 4,300 knights across 240 councils in Scotland, England and Wales.

Mr Henry said that being asked by the Bishops’ Conference to be the Little Flower’s custodians was a highlight in the centenary year.

“I’m very proud of the Knights. From what everyone’s been telling us, we must have been a big help and we’ve had so much praise,” he said.

“It also turned out to be a great opportunity for Catholics to see some of what the Knights do to help the Church.”

Life-changing

John O’Donnell, depute provincial grand knight of province one, Glasgow, said the visit ‘took [his] breath away.’

“I can’t think of a better thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he said. “To carry the relics of a saint has made me feel like a different person. If someone offered me a million quid or the chance to spend another three weeks with her, I would go for the latter.

“St Thérèse has made me a much better person and has certainly made me a far better and stronger Catholic than I’ve ever been.

“She’s been away just a few days, but I’ve had a void in my life since. I was dreaming about her the other night.”

Stories

He also shared stories of several people he had met along the way, who had told him of their devotions to St Thérèse.

“The stories you hear along the journey are so touching. An elderly gentleman told me he lost his wife.

“He lives in Paisley, where his wife was born and, with tears in his eyes, he told me: ‘My family don’t understand how much visiting St Thérèse is helping me today, because my wife adored and prayed to her every day. Now she’s finally in Paisley.’

“At that point he burst into tears and said: ‘I’ll have to tell her the good news when I go and see her myself.’

Devotions

He spoke of a Nigerian man who followed the saint around Scotland throughout her tour.

“Everywhere I went this gentleman was there. I don’t know how he survived it, as he would go up to the altar and kneel in prayer for half an hour, then he would come back and sit, and would go back up to the altar and kneel again for another half hour.

“He just said it’s his mission to follow her as long as she’s in Scotland, and he really did that.”

He added: “As a Knight of St Columba, I’m sure all the members will admit it was the most spiritual experience they’ve ever had.

“It was nothing short of amazing and was an accolade for us.”

To find out more about the KoSC, visit www.ksc.org.uk