Visit of Relics of St Bernadette to Cork expected to draw crowds

Significant crowds are expected to attend two Cork churches later this month for the much-anticipated pilgrimage of the Relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes.

The Relics of St Bernadette are in Ireland for a long-awaited visit, which was initially delayed because of the Covid pandemic.

They will arrive at Cork’s North Cathedral on Wednesday, October 30 before moving to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clonakilty on October 31.

The Diocese of Cork and Ross says the visit of the relics will allow pilgrims, who have never had the opportunity to visit Lourdes, to personally venerate St Bernadette’s relics.

Those looking to attend either church are being advised to plan their visit in advance, given the numbers expected to attend.

Access to both churches is not ticketed and will be stewarded.

The schedule of events has been announced by the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop Fintan Gavin.

On Wednesday, October 30, at 4pm the relics will arrive at the North Cathedral and will be welcomed with prayers.

The veneration of the relics by the public will then take place from 4.20pm-6.45pm before concelebrated Mass and the Sacrament of the Sick with Bishop Fintan Gavin at 7pm.

Veneration of the relics will again take place from 8pm-10pm and from 6am-9.45am the following morning. Mass will follow at 10am on Thursday morning and at 12noon the relics will depart the North Cathedral after the Angelus. At 2pm on Thursday afternoon, the relics will arrive at Clonakilty, with veneration from 2.30pm-7.45pm.

Concelebrated Mass and the Sacrament of the Sick with Bishop Fintan Gavin will take place at 8pm and then from 9pm-10pm and from 7am the following morning, there will be further opportunities for the public to view the relics before 10am Mass followed by departure of the relics.

Bishop Gavin says that people will be able to make petitions in the same way that they can at the Lourdes Shrine itself.

“Having just returned from Lourdes, I know of the trust and affection of the people of Cork for St Bernadette.

“The sending of prayer petitions is a big part of the pilgrimage. For the first time, people will be able to do this close to home.

“Boxes for written petitions will be available at both churches.

“People are invited to place their prayer petitions in the boxes and these will be taken to Lourdes and placed with the petitions of in-person pilgrims to the Shrine,” he said.

“People who cannot visit the relics in person will be able to submit their prayer petitions online through the diocesan website.

“These will be downloaded and sent with the written petitions to Lourdes.”

See www.corkandross.org.