SCHRIEVER — A "pilgrim relic" of St. John Paul II is coming to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

From Sept. 18 to 21, Catholics will have the opportunity to pray and venerate a relic containing the liquefied blood of the former pope, who served as the head of the Catholic church from 1978 until he died in 2005. 

The relic being put on display at the diocese is one of four such relics in existence, and it is the only one designated as a pilgrim relic, allowing it to travel and be made available for public veneration.

The relic will be in the following churches during its visit: 

Friday, Sept. 18 | Holy Cross, Morgan City
5:30 p.m. — Holy Mass
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Veneration of the relic

Saturday, Sept. 19 | only private viewings on this day

Sunday, Sept. 20 | Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, Houma
11 a.m. — Holy Mass with Bishop Simon Peter Engurait at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales with relic
Noon-4 p.m. — Veneration of the relic at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales

Sunday, Sept. 20 | Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose
5 p.m. — Holy Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary, Larose
6-9 p.m. — Veneration of the relic

Monday, Sept. 21 | Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, Thibodaux
7:30 a.m. — Holy Mass at Christ the Redeemer with relic
8 a.m.-4 p.m. — Veneration of the relic

Monday, Sept. 21 | St. Joseph Co-Cathedral, Thibodaux
5:30 p.m. — Holy Mass at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral for a "Closing of the Relic Veneration"
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Veneration of the relic