Bishop Fintan Gavin prays at the relics of St. Bernadette at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, CorkAt Masses in the diocese to celebrate the visits of the relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes, Bishop Fintan Gavin quoted lines from the saint...
“Through Bernadette, we hear and hope again that no matter what ‘if your dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces … never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again. That’s the beauty of being alive … we can always start all over again’.”
Bishop Fintan celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork and at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clonakilty, where both churches were filled to overflowing.
“Make no mistake about it,” Bishop Fintan said, “this place, this night, is filled with the transforming power of the presence of God.”
The first ever visit to our diocese of the relics of the French saint was witnessed by thousands of people who took time to visit and pray near the relics
The relics involved a major project for priests and people as hundreds volunteered to fill a variety of roles that includes stewarding, managing car parking, assisting people with mobility issues, hospitality, distributing literature, media relations and communications - as well as the many roles and ministries involved in the various liturgies at both churches.
Photography: Brian Lougheed, Sheila Kelleher, Fr Tom Hayes
