The relics of Saint Bernadette arrived at the Catholic Cathedral of St Thomas and Our Lady Immaculate on Monday afternoon for a three day visit. Many people are expected to come and pray beside the relics.
The Cathedral chapter met Bernadette at the steps of the Cathedral before processing in as Fr Andrew Coy sang a litany of Bernadette.
Bishop David welcomes the relics saying
“My dear sisters and brothers we gather here to give thanks for holiness, to give thanks for Bernadette”
From Monday 10th October through to Thursday 13th early morning the relics have been entrusted to our care.
Saint Bernadette was a young girl from Lourdes in the South of France. As a child she was sickly and came from a very poor family. Our Lady, the mother of Jesus appeared to Bernadette in 1958 when she was just fourteen years old. After a canonical investigation Bernadette’s reports of the apparitions were declared “worthy of belief” in 1868 where upon the apparition became known as Our Lady of Lourdes.
Thousands of people from across the world visit the Shrine in Lourdes every year and many sick pilgrims have received healing there.
The Cathedral will be open to all between 7.00am – 10.00pm each day whilst the relics are visiting.
A Relic is a part of the physical remains of a saint after their death, or an object which has been in contact with their body. Relics are venerated to honour the holiness of God.
All are encouraged to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As people process to see the relics they will have chance to learn about St Bernadette’s life and Lourdes, and the opportunity to light a candle.