Message from Bishop Ger
September 14, 2024
Dear Friends,
In a few weeks there will be an occasion of great blessing in our diocese when we will have the honour of hosting the holy relics of St. Bernadette in St. Aidan’s Cathedral on the 23rd & 24th of September.
Many of us have had the privilege of travelling on pilgrimage to the Shrine at Lourdes and it holds a very special place in our hearts. Others have never had this opportunity and many who once went there in pilgrimage are no longer able to do so. The theme of this visit is “Giving people a taste of Lourdes at home” and will be a faith-filled time for us to connect with that sacred place while remaining here in our own spiritual home, our diocese. I greatly welcome the fact that our celebrations will be enhanced by the presence and assistance of members of Ferns Hospitalité, of our diocesan pilgrimage youth section and of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
Venerating the holy relics of St. Bernadette will give us the opportunity to offer our praise to God for the wonderful things he achieved in her life by allowing her to witness the apparitions of Our Lady. It will also give us the opportunity to present our petitions, bringing our needs and intentions to God through her intercession and the intercession of Our Blessed Mother.
All details of the various liturgies are available on parish newsletters, posters and parish and diocesan social media pages.
I welcome you all to share in this special time and invite you to participate in all or any of the liturgies in The Cathedral during the visit.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
St. Bernadette, pray for us
Yours sincerely,
+Ger Nash
Bishop of Ferns
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