Visit of the Relics of St. Bernadette to Mallow and Midleton

We were truly blessed with the visit of the relics of St. Bernadette to St. Mary’s Church, Mallow and Holy Rosary Church, Midleton.

Thousands of people came to pray, reflect, and give thanks and to venerate the relics. The crowds included people of all ages - from children brought by parents, to children from National Schools and students from Secondary Schools - to adults of all ages, healthy and sick, mobile and wheelchair bound

The experience is difficult to put into words, it had to be experienced. Lourdes has often been described as a little bit of Heaven here on earth. The visit of the relics of St Bernadette brought some of that experience to the thousands who attended, many people noting that what they experienced during the visit could not be put into words. For this to have happened, gratitude and thanks are due to so many people who volunteered their time and talents and gave freely so that all of us would have this wonderful experience.

I wish to express gratitude to Bishop William Crean for celebrating the Mass of Welcome, to Monsignor Anthony O’Brien in Mallow, and Monsignor Jim Killeen in Midleton, the priests and Parish Pastoral Councils of the parishes of Mallow and Midleton, the priests who assisted in the various liturgies and heard confessions and administered the Sacrament of the Sick, to Thomas Conway, President of the Cloyne Lourdes Hospitality, and the Lourdes Volunteers for their work and commitment and I wish to thank Donie Cahill, Richard Fleming, Paul Long and Dermot Noonan and again Thomas Conway for transporting the relics from Tralee to Mallow and then to Midleton. Gratitude also to the choirs, sacristans, altar servers and altar societies, and others who assisted in any way.

Many donations for the Cloyne Lourdes Fund were received during the visit of the Relics. It was not intended initially to have a donations box in place, but, as many people enquired if they could give a donation, it was eventually decided to make a donations box available. All the donations are much appreciated and valued. Míle Buiochas.

Please note with regard to the many, many petitions received during the visit of the Relics of St. Bernadette, that they will be brought to the Grotto in Lourdes next month, and finally the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 2025 will take place from Friday, 30th May to Wednesday, June 4th and I am hoping that as many as possible will be able to join us on our Annual Pilgrimage.

Renewed thanks to all who came to venerate the Relics and joined in the ceremonies and all volunteers during the visit.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Every good wish and blessing,

Fr. Toby Bluitt,
Pilgrimage Director.