RC Diocese of Northampton

02/06/2026

🙏 A Special Opportunity for Prayer in Our Diocese 🙏

This June, we are honoured to welcome the relics of St Gerard Majella to parishes across our Diocese as part of the celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of his birth.

St Gerard is one of the Church’s most beloved saints, especially known as the patron saint of expectant mothers, unborn children, and families. Many also seek his intercession for protection while travelling.

The relics will visit:

📍 Northampton Cathedral – Monday 8 June
Masses at 12 noon and 7pm

📍 St Thomas Aquinas, Bletchley – Tuesday 9 June
Mass at 7pm

📍 Our Lady Help of Christians, Luton – Wednesday 10 June
Mass at 7pm

📍 St Augustine’s, High Wycombe – Thursday 11 June
Mass at 6pm

⛪ Each church will be open one hour before Mass for personal prayer before the relics, with individual and family blessings available after Mass.

The visit of a saint’s relics is a profound reminder of the communion of saints and an invitation to deepen our faith through prayer and devotion. Whether you are seeking St Gerard’s intercession for your family, a pregnancy, a loved one, or a special intention, all are warmly welcome.

Please share this post and invite others to join us for this grace-filled occasion.

https://northamptondiocese.org/home-page/diocese-to-welcome-relics-of-st-gerard-majella-during-300th-anniversary-year/

27/05/2026

27/05/2026

Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical and it addresses one of the biggest questions facing humanity today: Artificial Intelligence and the human being.

In Magnifica humanitas, the Holy Father reminds the world that technology must always serve the human person, never replace human dignity, compassion, or truth.

💬 “More powerful does not necessarily mean better.”

The encyclical explores:
▪️ AI and ethics
▪️ The dignity of work
▪️ Human relationships in a digital age
▪️ Solidarity and the common good
▪️ Protecting the vulnerable from exploitation and inequality

At a time when technology is changing our lives faster than ever before, Pope Leo XIV calls us to place humanity, morality, and the Gospel at the centre of progress.

📖 This is not just a document for Catholics, it is a message for the whole world.

https://northamptondiocese.org/home-page/pope-leo-xiv-issues-first-encyclical-on-artificial-intelligence/

26/05/2026

17/05/2026

World Communications Day, Sunday 17th May: The theme for this year’s World Communications Day, as given in the Holy Father’s Message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, is Preserving Human Voices and Faces.

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV FOR THE 60 TH WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS [ Multimedia ] _______________________

16/05/2026

Save the date:

15/05/2026

🕊️ Today’s the day! 🕊️

You’re warmly invited to join the St Elena House of Mission & Prayer for the Pentecost Novena, starting today.
💻 Online via Zoom
📌 Sign up to receive the Zoom code:
👉 https://northamptondiocese.org/courses/pentecost-novena-st-elena-house-may-26/
Come, Holy Spirit!

You’re invited to join the St Elena House of Mission & Prayer as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost. Each day from 15th May – 23rd May, we will join together online to pray the Holy Spirit Novena for the intentions of our Diocese. Meetings will take place on Zoom at 7:30-8pm each evening.

14/05/2026

📅 International PMO Day
Today we give thanks for those who quietly serve the mission of the Church through planning, coordination, and stewardship. Across our diocese, staff and volunteers support pastoral work, education, safeguarding, estates, and evangelisation — often behind the scenes, but always with dedication and care.
As Scripture reminds us:

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

On International PMO Day, we thank all those whose service helps our diocesan mission to flourish. 🙏

14/05/2026

✨ Pentecost Novena – You’re Invited ✨
Those living at the St Elena House of Mission & Prayer warmly invite everyone across the Diocese to join them online for the Pentecost Novena, as we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
📅 Starting 15 May - 23rd May
💻 Via Zoom
📌 Sign up to receive the Zoom code here:
👉 https://northamptondiocese.org/courses/pentecost-novena-st-elena-house-may-26/
The St Elena House of Mission & Prayer, which opened in Northampton in October 2025, exists to serve the local area through prayer and mission. The community is named after St Elena Guerra, canonised in October 2024 and known as the Apostle of the Holy Spirit.
St Elena tirelessly encouraged the Church to rediscover the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. She famously wrote:

“Pentecost is not over… the Holy Spirit desired to give himself to all, and all who want him can always receive him.”

Her letters inspired Pope Leo XIII to establish the Novena to the Holy Spirit, making this a particularly fitting offering for our Diocese as Pentecost approaches.
📖 Read more about St Elena Guerra here:
👉 https://ewtn.co.uk/article-st-elena-house-launches-in-uk-to-help-catholics-catch-the-fire-of-gods-love/
🕊️ Come, Holy Spirit!

St. Elena House launches in UK to help Catholics ‘catch the fire’ of God’s love Northampton Episcopal Vicar for Mission Canon Simon Penhalagan alongside members of the new community at the St. Elena House of Mission and Prayer. | Credit: Maria Heath   By Andy Drozdziak Jan 10, 2026 / 09:00 am...