Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher Huge crowds throned to St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny where the relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes were hosted over the weekend. The relics, in a reliquary, comprise mainly of bone fragments, lots of hair and muscle and are visiting each of the 26 Catholic dioceses in Ireland. At the weekend, it was the turn of the Raphoe Diocese with several special events taking place. A large crowd, including children from local schools, attended the Liturgy of Welcome on Friday. Bishop Philip Boyce, Bishop Emeritus of Raphoe, presided over the ceremony, aided by Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Kevin Gillespie. “There is a great sense of anticipation in the Cathedral waiting for something important . . . the coming of the relics of St Bernadette,” Bishop Boyce said. “St Bernadette is well known to you, especially hose who travel to Lourdes on pilgrimage. She is an example for us all and to our young people.” Children from St Bernadette’s school were present to welcome the relics of their patron. Students from St Eunan’s College took part in the welcome of honour while Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal and Loreto Secondary School provided music with pupils from Scoil Colmcille, Letterkenny and Scoil Naomh Fiachra, Illistrin also in attendance. Readings were done by Cassie Lambe, Pascal Blake and Brenda Barrett. Bishop Boyce recalled how Bernadette Soubirous was a poor peasant girl, uneducated, small in stature and living in poverty. Catholics believe that in 1858, Bernadette saw Our Lady 18 times at the grotto in Lourdes. Eight years later, the apparitions were authenticated by the Vatican. Bernadette died at the age of 35 of tuberculosis in 1879 and she was canonised by Pope Pius XI in 1933. Bishop Boyce said: “The Lord chose the most unlikely and humble people to bestow onto them special graces and the special graces received by Bernadette were the apparitions of Our Lady.” Bishop Boyce told the congregation how Bernadette, owning to her
In pictures: Large crowds venerate relics of St Bernadette at St Eunan's Cathedral
The relics, in a reliquary, comprise mainly of bone fragments, lots of hair and muscle and are visiting each of the 26 Catholic dioceses in Ireland with the turn of the Raphoe Diocese over the past weekend
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Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher
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Click on the arrows to go through the photos by Thomas Gallagher
