On the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Friday 7 October 2022, the Archdiocese of Birmingham welcomed the Relics of St Bernadette.

From Friday evening through to Monday afternoon (10th) the relics have been entrusted to our care.

Hundreds of people gathered at St Chad’s Cathedral for a Liturgy of Welcome and Evening Prayer, followed by veneration until midnight.

Archbishop Bernard Longley spoke Words of Welcome to the ‘great numbers’ who had come to welcome St Bernadette and described it as a ‘very special moment indeed’.

We ‘call upon her to pray for us’.

Canon Fitzpatrick gave the Homily

Earlier, during a closed afternoon visit, the residents, staff and friends of St Joseph’s Home, Harborne (Little Sisters of the Poor) had the opportunity to venerate.

Archbishop Longley celebrated Mass at the home and in his Homily said:

'It is a great blessing for us that the relics have arrived on today’s feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, recalling the importance of the prayer of the Rosary for St Bernadette herself and for every pilgrim to Lourdes. As you know, the Rosary Procession takes place every evening in Lourdes at the close of the pilgrim’s day. There is a special place in this torchlight procession for those pilgrims who are sick – for they are always at the heart of every pilgrimage to Lourdes.'

Read Homily in full

The Relics remain at St Chad’s Cathedral on Saturday with veneration, a Mass with Anointing of the Sick at 12noon, and Mass and farewell to the Relics at 6pm.

They then travel to Our Lady of Lourdes in Hednesford, home of the Diocesan Shrine, on Saturday night for veneration and prayers. On Sunday, in the Grotto, there will be veneration and Mass at 4pm.

The relics then move onto the Immaculate Conception in Bicester on Sunday night for veneration, a candlelight procession and Mass.

On Monday there is a live streamed Rosary to all Catholic schools with Archbishop Bernard and a Mass at 1pm.

All are encouraged to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As people process to see the relics they will have chance to learn about St Bernadette’s life and Lourdes, and the opportunity to light a candle.

The visiting of the relics is a moment of joy and grace for all.

View full timetable

St Bernadette, Pray for Us

Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for Us