First Irish visit of St Bernadette's relics to conclude in Athlone

The holy relics of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes arrived in Ireland for the first time last week, and are being brought on a nationwide pilgrimage which will conclude in Athlone in early November.

The saint's relics will journey, for the very first time, to each of the 26 dioceses on the island of Ireland.

The tour of the relics is scheduled to end with a visit to the Diocese of Elphin, where they will be displayed in Athlone's Church of Saints Peter and Paul from November 2-4.

A farewell ceremony, to end the Irish visit, will then take place in the Church of the Risen Christ, Kiltoom, on November 5.

Parist priest of the parish of Saints Peter and Paul, Fr John Deignan, was in Galway Cathedral on Thursday last for a welcoming ceremony to mark the arrival of the relics, which had been brought from the grotto in Lourdes earlier in the week.

Discussing the plans for the Athlone visit, Fr John said: "We will have the relics on public display for veneration from Saturday November 2, to Monday, November 4.

"The programme is not yet finalised, but it will include designated Mass and prayer times, as well as times of private veneration and prayer."

The Catholic Communications Office pointed out that countless Irish pilgrims had made the journey to the International Marian Shrine at Lourdes 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," it said in a statement.

The Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran, commented: "There is a well-established tradition of people bringing religious objects home from Lourdes, to share with family members and friends.

"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 visit of the relics to the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise will take place on September 27 and 28, at St Mel's Cathedral in Longford.

The relics will also be displayed at Christ the King Cathedral, Mullingar, on October 21 and 22, during their visit to the Diocese of Meath.

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.

"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."

The full programme for the St Bernadette relic pilgrimage to Ireland can be found online, at: www.stbernadette.ie