St. Bernadette Relic Tour Diocese of Syracuse

Thank you to the Sanctuary of Lourdes, Diocese of Syracuse, Sovereign Order of Malta, hosting parishes, and all clergy and volunteers who helped to welcome St. Bernadette to our home Diocese of Syracuse, NY on Memorial Day weekend. It was an unforgettable and grace filled weekend!

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality North American Volunteers Vice President, Teresa Lewis shares:

“St. Bernadette, in a grace, has come to our country as we approach our 20th Anniversary. This seed first planted three years ago by our foundress, unites us in prayer and procession, as Our Lady requested, at a time when our country is in need of healing, unity and prayer. 

St. Bernadette’s work continues, from the happiness of the other world, bringing us together from one end of the country to the other. 

As we accompany each other on our earthly pilgrimage, St. Bernadette’s presence, simplicity, and humility remind us of those things in our life we sometimes take for granted. She reminds us of simpler times, memories of the past, our own childhood. She is reigniting a flame of love, compassion, enthusiasm, and joy in our country and our lives. We are most grateful for her ‘YES” for her faith and her trust that what was promised would be fulfilled. We are truly blessed, each one of us, aren’t we?” 

 

St. Bernadette relic tour USA

Photo courtesy of Pierre Vincent, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. Do not reproduce without written authorization, do not use for commercial purposes.

Welcoming the relics of St. Bernadette was such a profound privilege. We thank everyone for their support in preparing and those who came to pray with us. Over 700 people joined us in praying the Novena to St. Bernadette leading up to her visit!

During the weekend we were blessed to share prayer cards, Rosaries and Lourdes Water with all who came. The opportunity to meet so many faithful and to pray together was a beautiful honor.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse NY 

A beautiful welcome Mass was offered by Bishop Lucia on Sunday, May 29th followed by veneration of the relics of St. Bernadette. Hundreds gathered to ask for the intercession of St. Bernadette and discover more about Lourdes in our Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience. Many traveled for hours from other parts of New York and Pennsylvania for this special opportunity.

+ God, you open your kingdom to the little ones and to the humble, Help us walk with confidence in the footsteps of St. Bernadette Soubirous, and thus obtain the revelation of your glory. Through Jesus Christ. Amen. +

“This was the best retreat I have ever been on, I just did not want to leave!”

– Sister Rosemarie of Syracuse, NY

Photo courtesy of Charles Wainwright. Do not reproduce without written authorization, do not use for commercial purposes.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cicero, NY  

Thank you to Father Amedeo Guida, Father Richard Prior Jr., Deacon Kenneth Money, and Father Robert Hyde for leading the pilgrims in prayer throughout the day. It was a Memorial Day to remember, full of prayers for our fallen soldiers and their families, prayers for the families in Uvalde, Texas, peace in Ukraine and all the intentions we hold in our hearts that we have now asked for the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette. There was a constant stream of pilgrims throughout the day concluding with a Healing Mass and special Anointing of the Sick.

Holy Family Church, Syracuse, NY   

Holy Family Church had the privilege to welcome the arrival of the relics on Saturday, May 28th. It was awesome to have so many parishioners present on arrival with open arms and open hearts to welcome St. Bernadette to Central New York for the Welcome Ceremony. Her visit continued Tuesday May 31st for a full day of veneration, Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experiences for both adults and school-aged children and concluded with a candlelight Rosary procession to the Lourdes Grotto across the street from the church! Thank you to Father John Manno, Father Malachi Clark, all the parish volunteers at Holy Family Church for making this experience so blessed, holy and profound for so many! 

Photo courtesy of Naomi Grace Photography. Do not reproduce without written authorization, do not use for commercial purposes.

Prayer to Mary by Fr. Leonce de Grandmaison

Holy Mary, Mother of God, preserve in me the heart of a child, pure and clean like spring water; a simple heart that does not remain absorbed… in its own sadness; a loving heart that freely gives with compassion; a faithful and generous heart that neither forgets good nor feels bitterness for any evil. Give me a sweet and humble heart that loves without asking to be loved in return, happy to lose itself in the hearts of others, sacrificing itself in front of your Divine Son; a great and unconquerable heart which no ingratitude can close and no indifference can tire; a heart tormented by the glory of Christ, pierced by His loves with a wound that will not heal until heaven.

Relics of St. Bernadette – U.S.Tour 2002 Sanctuary Our Lady of Lourdes (France)

 

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

St. Bernadette, pray for us.