Bones and relics of one of the most revered Catholic saints are touring Britain. The remains of St Bernadette of Lourdes are on a pilgrimage to Wales, England and Scotland.
People of all ages and backgrounds will have the chance to experience the spiritual gifts of the 19th century French saint. The fragments of bone and tissue are locked inside an ornate golden reliquary.
They include a fragment of the saint's 5th and 6th rib, kneecaps, a sample of muscle from the external part of the right femur. There is also lots of hair and various fragments which came from muscles and skin.
Bernadette Soubirous was born in 1844 in a small town in France and was one of eight children born into a very poor family. Although initially unremarkable, Bernadette’s life inspired generations of people to journey in faith on pilgrimage to Lourdes.
The latest stop on the tour is Liverpool where the relics will visit the city's two cathedrals, the Echo reports. will arrive at Liverpool Cathedral at 10.30am on Saturday, September 17 and be taken to the main space until 2.30pm.
At 3pm there will be a short service before they leave for the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King where they will remain until Tuesday, September 20. After a Service of Welcome at the Metropolitan Cathedral at 5pm there will be a torchlight procession at 7.30pm.
On Sunday, September 18, the Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP will celebrate Mass at 11am and there will be Mass with the anointing of the Sick at 3pm. On Monday, September 19, the day of the Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the relics will remain in the Cathedral which will be open throughout the day for those who wish to come for silent prayer and reflection.
Archbishop Malcolm said: "Relics are important in our faith journey because they connect us with the past and let us know that we walk on the shoulders of giants – that is we walk following the path trodden by so many saints who have gone before us in the adventure of the Christian faith."
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