Relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes to visit the county
St Bernadette of Lourdes
The holy relics of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes are set to visit County Roscommon twice in the coming weeks.
The county will also host the farewell ceremony for the pilgrimage.
During September, October, and November the relics of Saint Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage - for the very first time - to each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland The relics will be visiting the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen on October 5th and 6th. They will also be at The Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom on November 5th as part of the pilgrimage’s farewell ceremony. The Church of Saints Peter & Paul, Athlone, will also be visited by the relics from November 2nd to 4th.
Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry, Kevin Doran, will be entrusted with the holy relics tomorrow, Tuesday September 3rd, at a special ceremony at the grotto in Lourdes. Bishop Kevin, along with parishioners of the Diocese of Elphin, is currently on pilgrimage in Lourdes.
The Elphin Pilgrimage will bring the relics home with them to begin the pilgrimage around Ireland, beginning in Galway Cathedral on September 5th.
Bishop Doran said, “There is a well established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends. 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.” The International Marian Shrine at Lourdes has always had a special place in the hearts of Irish people. Countless Irish pilgrims have made the journey to the shrine for the last 166 years since the apparitions of Our Lady to Saint Bernadette in 1858.
The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place each year on February 11th. On this day in 1858 Our Lady first appeared to the fourteen year old, now Saint Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes. Saint Bernadette was canonised as a saint in 1933.
The full programme of the pilgrimage
can be found on the dedicated website here.
