The Archbishop of Armagh, Eamon Martin, said the opportunity to venerate Saint Bernadette’s relics in Ireland for the first time will be “a source of hope, great joy, and inspiration”.
The relics will journey from Lourdes, France, before reaching cathedrals and churches across Ireland between September 4 and November 5.
As part of the nationwide tour, the relics will be on view in Dublin at Our Lady of Victories Church in Glasnevin September 25 and 26.
They will also be at the Oblate Church of Mary Immaculate in Inchicore on October 23 and 24.
Image of the Virgin of Our Lady of Lourdes, Occitania, France
Finally, they will be brought to Adam and Eve’s, Franciscans, Merchant’s Quay, and will be available for viewing on October 25 and 26.
Our Lady is said to have appeared 18 times to a young French girl named Bernadette Soubirous at the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France, in 1858.
The apparition of Lourdes was authenticated in 1866 by the Bishop of Tarbes. That same year, Bernadette left Lourdes to live out her religious vocation within the community of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers.
“We hope that many people will be able to share in the blessings of the pilgrimage, by gathering to pray with Saint Bernadette in cities and towns across the country,” Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry and President of the United Irish Pilgrimages to Lourdes, said.
“There is a well-established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends.
Bishop Kevin Doran welcomed the news as a ‘unique privilege’ for Ireland
“This year, we have the unique privilege of bringing home the relics of Saint Bernadette, as we fly back into Knock Airport after the Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
“Many people are unable to travel on pilgrimage to Lourdes, but this year Lourdes will come to them, as the relics of Saint Bernadette make their way around Ireland.
“We hope that many people will be able to share in the blessings of the pilgrimage, by gathering to pray with Saint Bernadette in cities and towns across the country,” he added.
Bernadette died in 1879 of tuberculosis, was proclaimed blessed in 1925, and was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1933.
