The Diocese gathered in joyful celebration on Saturday 4 July for the fourth annual Becket Festival, honouring one of our diocesan patrons, St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr. Since its inauguration in 2023, the festival has become an important annual occasion, drawing together clergy, parishioners, families and visitors to celebrate the life, witness and enduring legacy of one of England’s greatest saints.
Held at Northampton Cathedral and the St Thomas Centre, this year’s festival offered a rich programme of prayer, worship, learning and creativity. Throughout the day, visitors enjoyed an art exhibition and workshop, prayer stations reflecting on the life of St Thomas Becket, a lecture exploring the relationship between truth and mercy, and the celebration of Vespers to conclude the festival.
The heart of the day was the Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Patronage of St Thomas Becket, celebrating the Translation of the Saint’s Relics in 1220, presided over by Canon Michael Harrison, Vicar General, at midday in the Cathedral.
A Saint Closely Linked with Northampton
The Diocese’s devotion to St Thomas Becket is rooted not only in his importance to the Church in England but also in his remarkable connection with Northampton itself.
In October 1164, King Henry II summoned Archbishop Thomas Becket to answer charges before a royal council held in Northampton. During this turbulent period, Becket stayed at St Andrew’s Priory, situated on the site now occupied by Northampton Cathedral. It was here that he prayed and sought God’s guidance as he faced mounting political pressure before eventually fleeing into exile.
Although he would later return to England, reconciliation proved impossible. On 29 December 1170, Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights who believed they were carrying out the King’s wishes. His courageous defence of the freedom of the Church and his fidelity to Christ quickly inspired widespread devotion, leading to his canonisation just three years later.
Today, Northampton Cathedral stands on ground sanctified by this important chapter in Becket’s story, making him a patron whose witness is deeply woven into the history of our Diocese.
Honouring a Precious Relic
An important focus of this year’s festival was the Diocese’s treasured relic of St Thomas Becket, a tangible link with the martyr whose witness continues to inspire Christians today.
The relic is accompanied by an authenticated letter written in nineteenth-century Italian, dated 5 November 1852, and signed by Bishop Mariano Venturi of Veroli, in the Lazio region of Italy. Although the document has faded with age, it identifies the relic as belonging to “the glorious Bishop and Martyr, St Thomas of Canterbury” and refers to the cranium, reflecting the form of the relic itself.
Historical records show that the relic was presented by the Bishop of Veroli to Mgr George Talbot, who at the time served as the English bishops’ representative in Rome before later becoming secretary to Pope Pius IX. Mgr Talbot subsequently gifted the relic to Northampton Cathedral, where it remains a treasured reminder of the Diocese’s enduring connection with its patron.
“The Truth Will Set You Free – But It Might Cost You”
The festival’s annual Becket Lecture was delivered by Fr Toby Lees, Priest Director of Radio Maria England, on the theme:
“The Truth Will Set You Free – But It Might Cost You.”
Reflecting on St Thomas Becket’s unwavering commitment to truth, Fr Toby explored the vital relationship between truth and mercy in Christian communication. Drawing upon Becket’s witness, he reminded those present that authentic mercy can never be separated from truth, and that Christians are called to communicate both with courage, charity and integrity, even when doing so carries personal cost.
His thoughtful address invited those present to consider how the witness of St Thomas Becket continues to speak powerfully into the challenges facing the Church and society today.
Listen to Fr Toby’s lecture here
A Living Witness
As the fourth Becket Festival came to a close with the singing of Vespers in the Cathedral, participants left with a renewed appreciation of the courage and holiness of St Thomas Becket.
His willingness to stand firm for truth, even unto martyrdom, continues to inspire the faithful nearly nine centuries after his death. Through prayer, worship, learning and fellowship, this year’s festival once again affirmed that Becket’s witness remains not merely a chapter of history but a living invitation to every Christian to follow Christ with faith, courage and hope.
The Diocese looks forward to welcoming pilgrims and visitors once again for the fifth Becket Festival in 2027 as this important annual celebration continues to grow.
