In top photo, Bishop O’Connell and Father Jean Felicien stand before the reliquary containing the relics of St. Bernadette. Mary Stadnyk photos
It was an occasion filled with many graces and blessings for Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and anyone who visited St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, the weekend of Oct. 10-11 and had the opportunity to see, venerate and pray with the relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous.
PHOTO GALLERY: Arrival of St. Bernadette’s relics to Co-Cathedral
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Bernadette relics draws many to Freehold Co-Cathedral
St. Bernadette was the young 19th century French saint known for witnessing 18 apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The relics of St. Beradette have been on a national tour, in which they arrived in the U.S. in September from Lourdes, France. The U.S. tour began with an opening celebration Sept. 18-20 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and has since been traveling to about 140 locations across the country.
The relics arrived at St. Robert Bellarmine around noon Oct. 10 where an opening prayer service was led by Father Brian Meinders, parochial vicar. Bishop O’Connell and diocesan chancellor, Father Jean Felicien, who had been attending the Diocesan PTA breakfast conference in the parish center, were present for the relics’ arrival.
As the congregation joined in the singing of “Immaculate Mary,” the reliquary, which was in a glass encasement, and a large, white statue of the Blessed Mother under her title Our Lady of Lourdes were brought in procession down the center aisle by members of the Knights of Columbus.
When the reliquary reached the base of the Co-Cathedral’s sanctuary, Bishop O’Connell, kissed it and then spent a few moments steeped in deep, quiet prayer. At the end of the prayer service, the Bishop once again stood before the reliquary during which he placed his Pectoral Cross on the top of the encasement and prayed before it.
Throughout the remainder of the weekend, there were many opportunities for parishioners and visitors to venerate the relics, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and attend specially planned prayer services and Mass.
Check back on TrentonMonitor.com for a full story on the visit of St. Bernadette’s relics to the Co-Cathedral.
