Relics of St Bernadette visit Cathedral of Christ the King

A large crowd assembled to hear Fr Phil Gaffney, administrator, Mullingar Parish, welcome the relics of St Bernadette to the Cathedral of Christ the King on Monday of last week.

In his address Fr Phil Gaffney explained how the relics were on pilgrimage to Ireland for the first time, and were visiting every diocese in the country. “This very special, once-in-lifetime event,” he said, “will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes.

“On Tuesday September 3, a ceremony of sending took place at the Grotto, where the Sanctuary of Lourdes entrusted the relics of St Bernadette to the Diocese of Elphin, who brought them to Ireland as they returned home from pilgrimage.

“The pilgrimage around Ireland of St Bernadette’s relics is a source of hope, great joy and inspiration, especially for the many people of Ireland who have travelled to Lourdes over the years, and for the dedicated groups across the island who work all year round to plan pilgrimages at parish and diocesan level.”

Fr Gaffney said Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons and is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with crosses and sickness.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome the spirit of Lourdes and St Bernadette to our Cathedral today.

“There is a well-established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends. We have a wonderful opportunity to venerate the relics here and I thank all those who made this possible for us.

“We hope that many people will be able to share in the blessings of the Pilgrimage, by gathering to pray with St Bernadette in our Cathedral.”

The relics of St Bernadette will help to remind us of Lourdes as a place of prayer and compassion for the sick and vulnerable, Fr Gaffney told the congregation. Irish people of all ages have volunteered to help in various ways in Lourdes and have been uplifted themselves by the experience of serving and caring, he remarked.

“This visit is an opportunity and a way to share the grace of an encounter with Mary as Bernadette experienced it, to find in this encounter peace and joy of heart and to become credible and courageous witnesses of love.

“The veneration of relics, or a pilgrimage to the tombs of the blessed and the saints, greatly strengthens our faith and hope in the resurrection of the body.

“I encourage everyone who visits to take the opportunity to encounter the beautiful and inspiring person that St Bernadette was, and to hear the powerful message she was able to convey to the world from Our Lady.

“Please pray also that many gifts and graces will be granted during this pilgrimage.”

Two days

Thousands of people visited the Cathedral of Christ the King on Monday and Tuesday last week to view the relics of St Bernadette, who is said to have been visited by the Virgin Mary in Lourdes.

Many of those who visited would have made a pilgrimage to Lourdes to visit the site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a peasant girl. Others came to receive the anointing of the sick and to pray in silence and to view the relics of St Bernadette.

The parish clergy were delighted to welcome the children who are preparing for their Confirmation next March as well as students from local secondary schools. The children had done projects on St Bernadette and were familiar with the story of her life.

“It was truly uplifting to see such crowds grace our beautiful Cathedral and we are grateful to the members of the Diocesan Lourdes Hospitality, The Knights of Columbanus and the Order of Malta, who made the visit of the relics such a grace-filled time and welcomed our visitors,” said Fr Gaffney.

“During the Visit of the Relics of St Bernadette Soubirous, our parish and diocese were given a sacred time as thousands came to the Cathedral to venerate her relics. While we go, as a diocese, every year to Lourdes, a piece of Lourdes came to us this week.

“There was a beautiful prayerful ambiance throughout the visit. We were blessed with sacred moments during the veneration of the relics, Solemn Vespers, the candle-lit procession, the recitation of Rosaries, a Mass with the Anointing of the Sick, and a special Mass of Our Lady of Lourdes.

“May the graces and blessings of these days deepen our faith, inspire our hope, and strengthen our love.”