Caption Archbishop Eamon Martin addressing the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in August 2018 (Catholic Communications Office archive)
- The opportunity to venerate Saint Bernadette’s relics in Ireland “will be a source of hope, great joy and inspiration” – Archbishop Martin
Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “During September and October, the holy relics of Saint Bernadette will undertake a pilgrimage, journeying from Lourdes, France – for the first time – to cathedrals and churches across Ireland. The visit of the relics will be a fitting prelude to the launch of the Jubilee Year 2025 with its theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
“The pilgrimage around Ireland of Saint 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.
“The relics of Saint Bernadette remind us of Lourdes as a place of prayer and compassion for the sick and vulnerable. Over generations, 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. In welcoming the relics, faith communities around the country will pray in the ‘spirit of Lourdes’ and come to know the message of Our Lady, a message of enduring relevance for us today.
“Saint Bernadette once wrote: ‘One who loves does not notice her trials; or perhaps more accurately, she is able to love them. I shall do everything for Heaven, my true home. There I shall find my Mother in all the splendour of her glory. I shall delight with her in the joy of Jesus himself in perfect safety.’
“Together with my brother Bishops in Ireland, I look forward to welcoming the relics of Saint Bernadette to all parts of the island. I encourage you to take the opportunity to encounter the beautiful and inspiring person that Saint 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,” Archbishop Martin said.
ENDS
- Archbishop Eamon Martin is Archbishop of Armagh, Apostolic Administrator of Dromore and Primate of All Ireland.
- Requests for details of events at specific venues in various dioceses should be directed to the host venue. To find out more about the pilgrimage of Saint Bernadette’s relics please email [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 7766 318531 or visit here.
- The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place each year on 11 February. On this day in 1858 Our Lady first appeared to fourteen-year-old, now Saint Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes. The Blessed Virgin Mary said to Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
