Hundreds of people took part in a torchlight procession outside Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral to celebrate the arrival of holy relics.
The relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes arrived at Liverpool Cathedra l this morning ( Saturday) and were then moved to the city's Roman Catholic cathedral this afternoon. This evening hundreds of people gathered inside the cathedral , before taking part in a torchlight procession around the cathedral's precinct.
The congregation gathered on the precinct behind the cathedral for a short religious service, on a dry September evening. After the service some mourners returned to the cathedral to look at the relics of the famous saint.
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Over the course of several months in 1844 Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have witnessed the Virgin Mary in a series of events known as apparitions in a cave on the outskirts of Lourdes. Bernadette was made a saint in 1933 and Lourdes became a place of pilgrimage for Roman Catholics around the world.
Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon 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."
Canon Anthony O'Brien, Dean of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, said: "Both our Cathedrals in Liverpool are looking forward to hosting the relics of St Bernadette. Many people of different Christian denominations on Merseyside have visited the shrine of Lourdes on pilgrimage and to have the relics visit Liverpool Anglican Cathedral as well as the Metropolitan Cathedral is a striking witness to our ecumenical partnership and cooperation.
"We hope the visit of the relics will be a real experience of Lourdes at home for so many people on Merseyside and further afield."
The Very Reverend Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool Cathedral, said : "We are truly honoured to be receiving the relics of St Bernadette. This act shows the deep friendship that has blossomed and grown between the Anglican and Roman Catholic church since the days of Bishop David Sheppard and Archbishop Derek Worlock. We know this will be a spiritually moving occasion for Christians across our region."
The relics will be on display to the public in the Metropolitan cathedral tomorrow and on Monday. A mass to celebrate the relics will take place on Monday evening at 7pm. This will be followed by a mass of departure on Tuesday morning at 7am.
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