Visit of the Relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes to Diocese of Kilmore:

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 St Bernadette in 1858. This year the people of Ireland will have the opportunity to welcome the spirit of Lourdes and St Bernadette to a local church in their own diocese.

In September and October this year, the relics of St Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage to Ireland for the very first time, visiting every diocese in the country. This very special, once-in-lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes in their diocese. 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 relics will visit cathedrals and churches across every Diocese in Ireland, north and south. The full programme can be found on the dedicated website www.stbernadette.ie

The relics of St Bernadette will visit the diocese of Kilmore on 28 to 29 October 2024.

The first venue will be the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Felim, Cavan, on Monday 28 October 2024. The Cathedral will be open to the public at 9:45am with Mass following at 10:00am and the rest of the day as follows:

1:00pm The Way of the Cross
3:00pm Anointing of the Sick
5:00pm Penitential Service
Confessions until 6:45pm
7:00pm Mass
8:00pm Holy Hour
Veneration until 10:00pm

The second venue, on Tuesday 29 October 2024, will be St Clare’s Church in Manorhamilton. Similar to the Cathedral, the church will be open to the public at 9:45am with Mass and Rosary to follow at 10:00am. The rest of the day in St Clare’s consists of this schedule:

12:00pm Rosary and prayers
3:00pm The Way of the Cross
4:30pm Penitential Service
Confessions until 6pm
6:30pm Mass with Anointing of the Sick
9:00pm Holy Hour and Benediction
Individual Visits to the relics 11:00am – 6:00pm and 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Wednesday 30 October 2024 – 7am Mass in St Clare’s Church and Departure of the Relics

Welcoming the visit of the Relics, Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “The pilgrimage around Ireland of St Bernadette’s relics will be 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. Of course, Lourdes is synonymous with care and love for sick and disabled persons and is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another.”

About the visit of the relics to Kilmore diocese Bishop Martin Hayes said, “The opportunity for many blessings which comes with an event such as this is immense. Venerating the Relics of St Bernadette offers us the opportunity to reflect on her life and how God worked through her life. St Bernadette was chosen to relay the messages of Our Lady. It is significant that a sickly, uneducated girl from a poor family was chosen by Our Lady to testify to the Immaculate Conception. The fact that St Bernadette could not understand the Immaculate Conception was a testimony to the truth of her recollection of what Our Lady communicated through her, to us. St Bernadette was resolute in praying the Rosary to Our Lady when she appeared. She remained faithful to her promise to Our Lady that she would come for a fortnight as Our Lady continued to appear to her. St Bernadette endured mockery as she drank ‘what was then’ dirty water which became the fresh clear Lourdes Water. Later, St Bernadette, having learned to read and write, stated that ‘the Blessed Virgin chose me, because I was most ignorant’.

“We recently saw the deeply spiritual experience of many people in Kilmore during the visit of the relics of St Kilian, a native of Mullagh. People of all ages were profoundly touched by the experience of faith surrounding that visit and I pray that those who will come to venerate the relics of St Bernadette will find their faith increased and their hearts touched. I want to thank all those who have worked to make this visit possible and look forward to praying with the many people who will come to the Cathedral and to Manorhamilton.”

During the visit of the relics there will be opportunities for people to come to venerate the relics privately as well as participating in liturgies that will be reminiscent of the Lourdes pilgrimage experience. The intention is to take Lourdes to the faithful, especially those who may not have the ability of going to Lourdes in person. It is in the music, prayer, processions and gestures that this unique spirit will be shared.

-ENDS-

Credit for Photograph John McElroy