Church in Benin to “welcome”, Venerate Relics of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus in 2025 Jubilee Year Celebrations

They point out that the veneration of relics is a popular expression of the Christian faith, which they say “must always lead to God, and not be considered superstition.”

“Relics are not venerated for their own sake, but for the divine grace they manifest,” the Catholic Church leaders say, adding that the veneration should lead the people of God faithful to imitate the faith and virtues of the Saints they represent, and rekindle confidence in their powerful intercession with God.

Relics have been described as the mortal remains of Saints and Blesseds. The reliquaries of Saint Thérèse are visible in the Basilica and in the Carmel (under the shrine).

The journey of the relics of Saint Thérèse initiated in 1994 has reportedly visited nearly 70 countries.

On the list of activities lined up for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, which Pope Francis officially launched on the eve of Christmas 2024, is the celebration of the 80th anniversary of evangelization of Benin’s Catholic Archdiocese of Parakou, as well death anniversaries of notable Church leaders in the West African country.

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Church in Benin to “welcome”, Venerate Relics of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus in 2025 Jubilee Year Celebrations

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The 25th anniversary of the erection of the country’s Diocese of N'Dali is to be celebrated on February 23, followed by multiple anniversary celebrations of Episcopal Consecrations in Benin. The 30th anniversary of the erection of the Dioceses of Dassa-Zoumè and Djougou has also been slated for June 10.

The Church in Benin has also planned for a national pilgrimage from July 29 to August 4.

Calling for active participation in the national and ecclesial events, CEB members say, “May they be for us sources of abundant graces.”

As for the week of January 18 to 25, annually dedicated to the Prayer for Christian Unity, Benin’s Catholic Bishops pray for the effective realization of the wish of the Lord Jesus Christ for his disciples “That they may be one, so that the world may believe.”

They have invited the Beninese, regardless of their religious backgrounds, to continue to work in favour of unity and peace through behaviour, initiatives and concrete acts that promote unity.

They say, “To our brothers and sisters of other Churches and religious confessions, the Bishops of Benin renew their closeness and fraternity in Jesus Christ.”

“May this week of prayer be an opportunity to strengthen our bonds beyond the diversity of our Christian doctrines,” CEB members say referring to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and add, “In this way, our common witness to faith in Jesus Christ will continue to have an impact on our world, for a better spread of the Gospel.”

And as for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 26), marked as Sunday of the Word, the Bishops of Benin have encouraged the people of God in the country to root their faith in Jesus Christ, through regular meditation on the Scripture and putting it into practice in daily life.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.