After crossing the Atlantic to the United States, where the relics travelled for 4 months, Bernadette is returning to Europe and will be crossing the Channel to meet English-speaking pilgrims.
On Thursday, 1st September, the relics of Saint Bernadette will be blessed at the Grotto of Massabielle ahead of their new departure. After their pilgrimage across the United States, the relics of Bernadette Soubirous will be leaving for a new destination across the Channel. The relics leave for the British Isles and Scottish, Welsh and English dioceses and sanctuaries: Westminster, the Carfin Grotto and Cardiff. The journey of Bernadette’s relics will take place from 1st September to 27th October.
Saint Bernadette will travel thousands of kilometres stopping in 31 dioceses.
There will be 50 stopovers where pilgrims can welcome the one “who saw” the Virgin Mary.
“The sending of the relics of Saint Bernadette, today, from the Sanctuary of Lourdes, is Our Lady of Lourdes sending Bernadette to go and announce the good news to the people of the United Kingdom.
May all receive her with a generous and loving heart. May the people of the United Kingdom respond to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s call and find in Lourdes and through Lourdes the grace of healing both of Body, mind and spirit for themselves, for their families, for their countries and through them, for the whole world” (P. Martins Obikara from the Grotto of Lourdes).
