Last Monday, the Relics of St. Bernadette arrived in the parish as part of a visit to Ireland. Along with Mallow, we were privileged to receive them on behalf of the diocese. Expected to arrive at 9.30am, we were surprised when they arrived at 7.50am and were brought into the church. The church remained closed while we arranged everything in its place for the day. The queue to enter began well before the time we opened, around 9.15am, and from then, through the day, to 9pm apart from the ceremonies when the church was full, the queue to venerate the relics was continuous. The sense of peace and calm all day was incredible and when we reflect on the numbers who passed through the church, from babies to mid-90s, healthy and sick, mobile and wheelchair-bound or needing a stick, and can say that there wasn’t even one complaint raised. Everyone was patient and helpful in what ever way they could be. Thank you to all who helped in any way to make the day run smoothly. Lourdes visited Midleton and may many blessings come from the prayer and reflection and celebrations of the day. The numbers who were present for Mass, who attended the Ceremony and ministering of the Anointing of the Sick and those who gathered for the Torchlight Procession were great and a sign that the faith is alive and well and not quite as absent in our country as some would try to make us think! May we continue to pray to Our Lady, and St. Bernadette asking them to intercede for us in all things and may God bless all who shared in the day.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland.
