St Bernadette
In September and October this year, the relics of St Bernadette will journey on pilgrimage to England, Scotland, and Wales for the very first time. 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.
The relics will visit Cathedrals, central churches and shrines, including our Cathedral from 17th September until the evening of Monday 19th. It comes at the beginning of a year when the Liverpool Diocesan Pilgrimage celebrates its centenary anniversary. It was in that first Pilgrimage in 1923 that a severely ill and disabled Jack Traynor took part as a sick pilgrim and miraculously returned healed of his condition. The Shrine of Lourdes is not only an international centre of prayer and devotion to Our Lady but a very special place of healing and compassion. Perhaps the visit of the St Bernadette relics will mark a special time of prayer for the healing of the brokenness and lack of compassion that there is throughout our world at this time.
For more information and the full national itinerary for the St Bernadette Relic Tour please visit https://www.cbcew.org.uk/st-bernadette-relic-tour-2022/
Further information for Liverpool dates will be available nearer the time.
St Bernadette’s Story
St Bernadette was born in 1844 in a small town in France. Bernadette Soubirous was one of eight children born into a very poor family. Although initially unremarkable, Bernadette’s life was to inspire generations of people to journey in faith on pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Between 11 February and 16 July 1858, Bernadette saw the Virgin Mary eighteen times in a series of Apparitions that took place in cave on the outskirts of Lourdes, a place now known as the Grotto of Massabielle.
In the course of these miraculous encounters, Bernadette, then aged just 14, became the friend and confidante of Our Lady, the mother of Jesus.
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 died in 1879, was proclaimed blessed in 1925, and a became a saint in 1933.
