St. Bernadette

In October 2022 we welcomed the relics of St. Bernadette to The Friars. The visit of the relics had been described as Lourdes coming to Britain. Bernadette came from a poor family. Her father had lost the family mill. Eventually her family moved to one room of a disused prison. By this time, she suffered from asthma and tuberculosis. She continued to suffer poor health for the rest of her life. She eventually joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, but died at the age of thirty-four, on 16^th April 1879.

There is a strong link between the Carmelites and Lourdes. The last apparition of Our Lady took place on the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, 16^th July 1858. Bernadette recalled that Our Lady looked more radiant and beautiful than ever. Due to the crowds the authorities barricaded the grotto.  Therefore, the apparition took place on the opposite side of the River Gave, in meadow land. There is now a Carmelite Convent standing on the site. I like to visit it every time I stay in Lourdes as it is opposite the grotto with a splendid view. While the grotto is busy with thousands of pilgrims the Lourdes Carmel opposite remains a place of prayer and contemplation.

The highlight for Bernadette came in 1862, when the church officially accepted that the apparitions were authentic and that a church would be built near the grotto. Lourdes is about Mary and not Bernadette. Her parish priest asked when the apparitions were taking place for the name of the lady. Eventually the lady said she was “the Immaculate Conception.”   Many began to believe that the apparitions were authentic as no illiterate and uneducated girl could have that knowledge. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception had only been declared four years before.

Relics

First class relics are part of the body of a saint. This may seem to be macabre or morbid. What do relics of a saint mean today? I still have a purse that my mother made. Every time I see it, I am reminded of my deceased mother. Relics of saints are a visible reminder of a holy life. Saints are ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives. The relics of saints lead us to God. They are sign posts directing us to God.

Saints are children and friends of God. Therefore, they are intercessors drawing us closer to God. We may have a deeper awareness of their life and mission and this draws us closer to the love of God.  A fellow Carmelite Fr. Christopher O’ Donnell wrote when the relics of St. Thérèse came to Ireland in 2001: “Relics are not magical.  True veneration of relics will involve people turning to God and allowing His love to enter their lives through the intercession of the saints.”

Water and Lourdes

During the ninth apparition Bernadette discovered a spring near the river Gave. Ever since pilgrims have washed and bathed in Lourdes water. It is seen as a sign of penance. Water is a powerful image for all Christians as it is a reminder of our baptism and that we have the gift of eternal life. The message of Lourdes is penance and prayer, so it is appropriate to bathe in the chilly water. The Gospel for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes is the changing of the water into wine at Cana. There Mary said to the servants at the wedding feast: “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn.2:5)  Through our prayer and reflection may we take to heart the message of Jesus.

Please see here for a beautiful film about the Tour 

To find out more information on the visit to the UK 

please click the image below for the official website