Caption Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Achonry and President of the United Irish Pilgrimages to Lourdes (Catholic Communications Office archive)
- Bishop Doran: “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. This year the people of Ireland will have the opportunity to welcome the spirit of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette to a local church in their own home diocese.
Tomorrow, 3 September, a special ceremony will be held at the grotto in Lourdes, where the holy relics of Saint Bernadette will be entrusted to Bishop Kevin Doran who, 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 5 September.
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.”
During September and October 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. This very special, once-in-life-time, opportunity will enable people of all ages experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes in their local diocese, and to share the grace of an encounter with Mary as Bernadette experienced it. By venerating the relics, people of faith can encounter peace and joy of heart and become credible and courageous witnesses of love.
The relics will visit cathedrals and churches in every diocese, north and south. The full programme can be found on the dedicated website here.
Welcoming the visit of the relics, Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin said, “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 it is a special sanctuary for those who struggle with worries or decisions of one kind or another.”
Father Gerard Fox, Pilgrimage Director for the Diocese of Down & Connor, and member of the steering group who collaborated with the Sanctuary of Lourdes to arrange the visit said, “This is a unique opportunity for those of us engaged in bringing pilgrimages to Lourdes, to bring the message and a little ‘taste’ of Lourdes to local communities. Saint Bernadette understood her role as a messenger of Mary’s message, now she brings that message to the Church community in Ireland.”
During their visit, there will be opportunities to venerate the relics privately as well as by participating in liturgies reminiscent of the Lourdes’ pilgrimage experience. The intention is to bring Lourdes to the faithful, especially those who may not have the ability to go to Lourdes in person. It is in the music, prayer, processions and gestures that this unique spirit will be shared.
ENDS
- 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.
- United Irish Pilgrimages to Lourdes (UIPL) is the association of Diocesan Directors of Pilgrimages to Lourdes. In addition to liaising with the Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Lourdes to plan the Pilgrimage season each year, UIPL is actively engaged in coordinating pilgrimage flights to and from Irish airports, with travel agents and charter airlines.
- The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes takes place each year on 11 February. On this day in 1858 Our Lady first appeared to the fourteen year old, now Saint Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes. The Blessed Virgin Mary said to Bernadette, “I am the Immaculate Conception.”
