Large crowds expected as St Eunan’s Cathedral hosts relic of St Bernadette

By Rebecca Crockett

LARGE crowds are expected to visit St. Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny this weekend as the Diocese of Raphoe hosts the visit of the holy relic of St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

The organisers of this weekend’s celebrations have again called for people to volunteer over the three days as the preparations for the historic visit are finalised.

The relics will be on display at St Eunan’s Cathedral from 12 noon tomorrow (Friday) until 1pm on Sunday, October 13.

The cathedral will be open to the public all day and all night and volunteers are needed to help steward the crowds that are expected to be in attendance.

Fr Stephen Gorman, the director of the relic’s Donegal visit, told the Donegal News: “The relics are visiting every country in Ireland, north and south.

We know from the last number of weeks that huge numbers of people have been attending.

“So that’s why we’ve left the cathedral open all night and that’s why we need volunteers to be there all day and all night to help people and to make sure that everything’s done safely and securely.”

Volunteers are also needed to help with parking, help out at the hospitality tent, and musicians are also needed for different events over the weekend.

Lourdes has been a pilgrimage site for many years as thousands of pilgrims seek out the relic of St. Bernadette’s healing power.

“This is an opportunity now in that Lourdes is coming to the people, and Lourdes is coming to the diocese.” Fr. Gorman said.

“It’s an opportunity for people, especially those who are sick, to come to experience the relics of St. Bernadette, to pray with St. Bernadette, and for them to seek some solace and comfort through St. Bernadette’s intercession.

“There’s plenty of people needing it, there’s a lot of different things going on in Donegal, so we know that this is coming at a very important time.”

Anyone able to provide help has been asked to contact the Parish Office on 0749121021.

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