The relics of St Bernadette Soubirous are touring parishes and chaplaincies in England, Wales and Scotland in September and October 2022. Dates of the visit in the Diocese of Westminster can be found below.
In 1858, Our Lady revealed her message to Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year-old girl, at the Grotto at Massabielle in 18 apparitions. Over five months, Our Lady asked Bernadette to pray the Rosary with her and revealed herself as the 'Immaculate Conception'. She instructed Bernadette to 'go tell the priests that people should come here [to the Grotto] in procession and build a chapel'.
Today Catholics from all over the world journey on pilgrimage to Lourdes. Each year (except for the years of the pandemic), our own diocesan pilgrimage takes place during the last week of July. This year, the theme of the Lourdes pilgrimage is 'go tell the priests', an echo of the words of Our Lady to St Bernadette.
The visit of the relics to our own nation is an opportunity for everyone to experience the gifts and blessings of pilgrimage in our churches, cathedrals and chaplaincies.
Additional Resources
The life of St Bernadette and Our Lady's apparitions
National Relic Tour
Photo: Reliquary of St Bernadette Soubirous in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Lourdes (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
