The Relics of Saint Bernadette to visit Cathedral

A relic of St. Bernadette Soubirous, to whom the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858 at Lourdes, France, is touring the United States for the first time, bringing the grace of Lourdes to parishes across the country.  The Cathedral welcomes the relics on Tuesday, August 2nd.

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
Tuesday, August 2, 2022:
10:00 am   Relics on display for Veneration until 6:00pm
12:10 pm   Holy Mass
  3:00 pm   Rosary (Bilingual)

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The Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, a 14-year-old peasant girl, 18 times at a grotto in Lourdes between Feb. 11 and July 16, 1858, identifying herself for the first time as the Immaculate Conception during the 16th appearance. 

Mary asked that a church be built in her honor at the grotto, which has been a place of pilgrimage ever since. It has been the site of many physical healings, including 70 recognized as miracles by the Catholic Church, and countless instances of spiritual healing. Following the apparitions, St. Bernadette became a member of the Sisters of Charity and died in 1879. 

The relic is a fragment of one of St. Bernadette’s ribs, displayed in a reliquary modeled after 14th-century tower-style custodias and relic holders. The structure is an octagonal neo-gothic spire, much like those found in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. This bell tower shape symbolizes the message of Lourdes spread to all the world, like the toll of the bells calling on the faithful. It is surmounted by Christ’s glorious Cross and his Mother’s Crown, identical to those on the dome of the Basilica of the Rosary.

The vibrant enameled panels are inspired by the stained-glass windows of the Basilica, depicting St Bernadette kneeling at Our Lady’s feet. On the base of the piece are inscribed cartouches reading : Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou (“I am the Immaculate Conception” as spoken by Our Lady in Bernadette’s native Gascon dialect), Il suffit d’aimer (Bernadette’s words- “It is enough to Love”), Salus Infirmorum and Refugium Peccatorum (As part the character of the Sanctuary).
The Sanctuary of Lourdes, which supervises the saint’s relics, has permitted its display from April 7 to Aug. 4 at 41 sites throughout the United States. 

Southern California Tour Locations:
August 1, 2022 :  St. Bernadette Parish, Los Angeles, CA 90008
August 2, 2022:  Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels
August 3, 2022:  St. John the Baptist de la Salle Parish, Granada Hills, CA 91344

For more information, please visit stbernadetteusa.org