From April to August 2022, the relics of Saint Bernadette are making a major pilgrimage to the United States for the first time. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes is organizing this journey through American churches with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Order of Malta.
The relics of Bernadette Soubirous flew away on April 3 from the sanctuary of Lourdes to the United States. This is the first time that the reliquary has left on American soil.
For four months, Saint Bernadette will therefore travel through dozens of parishes across the country. From New York to Los Angeles via Texas or Florida, the saint of Bigorre will come to meet the American faithful in 32 dioceses.
The convoy is expected to travel 16,000 kilometers.
The relics of Bernadette Soubirous’ body are kept in a gold reliquary. Inside are rib fragments, kneecaps, skin samples and lots of hair.
It’s in 1925, that’s 46 years after her death, that the body of Bernadette Soubirous was exhumed in order to recover these relics.
Since 2017, they have been crisscrossing the parishes of France and Europe with great success with the Christian communities that welcome them.
In the United States, the saint is welcomed as a real star.
Upon her arrival on American soil, Bernadette is the subject of all attention. A few liters of Lourdes water also made the trip to bless the faithful.
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With this trip, the sanctuary of Lourdes also intends to make itself known across the Atlantic.
I am happy that for 4 months the relics of Bernadette can travel across the United States, to make discover Lourdes to the faithful and so that they can come there afterwards.
Bishop Olivier Ribadeau-Dumas, rector of the Sanctuary of Lourdes
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Bernadette’s relics will remain in the United States until August 4. Last stop: Los Angeles before returning near the grotto of Lourdes to his native land.
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