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Diocesan Offices
St Eugene’s Cathedral
Francis Street, Derry
BT48 9AP
Tel: 028 7126 2302
Visit of the relic of St. Bernadette to the Diocese of Derry
The Irish Catholic Bishops have announced that the Relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous will journey on pilgrimage from Lourdes to Ireland for the very first time, visiting every Diocese in Ireland during September and October this year.
The relics of St. Bernadette will visit St. Eugene's Cathedral, Derry on Sunday 13th to Monday 14th October.
This very special, once in a 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.
The visitation of the holy relics is an opportunity to have Lourdes come to your diocese so that we can all experience the pilgrimage in Lourdes at home in Ireland.
Further information will be published in September regarding the visit of the Relics.
Pilgrimage Prayer
Our Lady of Lourdes help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God's word and to recognise God's call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps.
Help us to be touched by his love, that we may touch him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love,
especially at times of trial and illness.
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus, that he may be light for our path.
And may this light of faith always increase in us.
We make this prayer through your Son, Christ our Lord.
Our Lady of Lourdes - Pray for us.
St. Bernadette - Pray for us.
Who is St Bernadette?
Bernadette Soubirous was born in Lourdes, a small town in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains in the year 1844.
She was born into a poor but loving family, who suffered many hardships. Bernadette was a simple peasant-girl, uneducated and small in stature.
Although her health was poor due to chronic asthma, her days were full of hard work; missing school and Catechism lessons to stay at home and help out.
This simple peasant girl was chosen to give the message of the love God has for all mankind "as the adopted children of His Blessed Mother."
In 1858, she saw the Virgin Mary eighteen times at the Grotto of Massabielle: the Apparitions of Lourdes were authenticated in 1866 by the Bishop of Tarbes. In that same year, Bernadette left Lourdes to live out her religious vocation within the community of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers.
She entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity, where she carried out humble work and was not given any special treatment. In silence, she endured extreme pain as she became seriously ill with tuberculosis of the lungs and bones. This humble saint died at the age of thirty-five and was proclaimed blessed in 1925, then a saint in 1933.
Bernadette's body was exhumed on 18th April 1925 for her beatification. It was found to be uncorrupted. It was then decided to place it in the chapel of the Sisters of Nevers where it is still visible today.
Today, the Grotto of Lourdes is visited by millions each year. Many miracles have been attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes. Due to this, the 11th February, the date of the first apparition, is dedicated as the World Day of the Sick.
It was at Lourdes, that Our Lady herself proclaimed "I am the Immaculate Conception." to Bernadette.
Pilgrimage Details – St Bernadette Relic Pilgrimage of Ireland 2024
Official site - view full schedule of Relics as they travel across Ireland.