Relics of St. Bernadette at Holy Spirit

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has launched the year-long 2026–2027 U.S. Tour of the Relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous. The tour officially began in September with an opening celebration and public veneration at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church is honored to host the relics from November 19–22. This will be the second time the relics of St. Bernadette have visited our parish, following their memorable visit in 2022.

As we did in 2022, Holy Spirit has planned an extensive schedule to give as many of the faithful as possible the opportunity to venerate the relics and participate in liturgies, prayer, and special events throughout their visit. These opportunities are intended to deepen our spiritual connection to Lourdes, share St. Bernadette’s enduring message of humility and faith, and inspire a greater devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes.

Learn more about the tour and St. Bernadette at stbernadetteusa.org. The official website of the Sanctuary in Lourdes is:  https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/.
 

 Information for Pilgrims

• Upon arrival at Holy Spirit, Pilgrims will be invited to venerate the relic in the Church.
• Veneration will be by exposition only; NO ONE will be permitted to touch the reliquary or the glass case surrounding it. Pilgrims are encouraged to pray silently in front of the reliquary.
• Due to anticipated crowds, Pilgrims should be respectful of others in line when venerating the relics and only expect to spend a few minutes in front of the relic, crowd depending. Pilgrims are welcome to remain in the Church or St. Mary's Chapel for private prayer.
• There will not be any items for sale during the tour.
• A free-will offering will be taken to support the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France.
• Interested in volunteering while the relics are in Atlanta? Please click here.

Schedule of Events - check back as this page will continue to be updated

Tuesday, November 10 - Wednesday, November 18

Novena of St. Bernadette in preparation of her visit

Thursday, November 19

•   TBD - Relics arrive; Welcome Ceremony - gather on green space outside of McDonough Hall
•   6:00 PM - Parish evening Mass (St. Mary's Chapel)
•   7:00 PM - Misa votiva de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes con el Padre Gerardo Ceballos (Iglesia)                   
  Download the flyer here
•   8:00 PM - Relics available for Veneration until 9:45 PM (Church)
•   9:45 PM - Veneration ends

Friday, November 20

•   8:30 AM - Parish / All School Votive Mass for Our Lady of Lourdes (Church) 
•   9:30 AM - Relics available for Veneration until 4:00 PM (Church)
• 10:00 AM - Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience™ with Adoration and Benediction (McDonough Hall) - RSVP HERE
                      Learn about the Message of Lourdes, touch the Grotto rock, experience the healing graces of Lourdes water, and
                      prepare a petition to be placed in the grotto in Lourdes, France 
•   4:00 PM - Church closed due to wedding rehearsal
•   5:30 PM - Relics available for Veneration until 6:45 PM (Chuch)
•   6:45 PM - Veneration ends to prepare for Mass
•   7:00 PM - Mass with Anointing of the Sick celebrated by Archbishop Hartmayer in English (Church) 
•   8:30 PM - Relics available for Veneration until 9:45 PM
•  9:45 PM - Veneration ends

Saturday, November 21

•   8:30 AM - Parish Mass - Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary(St. Mary's Chapel)  
•   9:00 AM - Relics available for Veneration until 1:45 PM (Church)
• 10:00 AM - Lourdes Virtual Pilgrimage Experience™ with Adoration and Benediction (McDonough Hall) - RSVP HERE
                      Learn about the Message of Lourdes, touch the Grotto rock, experience the healing graces of Lourdes water, and
                      prepare a petition to be placed in the grotto in Lourdes, France
•   1:45 PM - Veneration ends to prepare for wedding
•   5:00 PM - Parish Vigil Mass for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Universe
•   6:15 PM. - Relics available for Veneration until 9:45 PM (Church) 
•   7:00 PM - Marian Candlelight Procession RAIN OR SHINE (Parking Lot) - For planning purposes, please sign up here
                     Meet in front of statue of Mary on HSP Quad (stay on sidewalk, please) to sing Marian hymns and process to Church
                    * IN THE EVENT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, PLEASE GATHER IN MCDONOUGH HALL
  
  Download the flyer for the Marian procession here
•    9:45 PM - Veneration ends                                    

Sunday, November 22

•   7:00 AM - Parish Spanish Mass for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Universe (Church) 
•   8:00 AM - Relics available for Veneration until 8:25 AM (Church)

•   8:30 AM - Parish Mass for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Universe (Church) 

•   9:30 AM - Relics available for Veneration until 9:55 AM

• 10:00 AM - Parish Mass for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Universe (Church) 

• 11:00 AM - Relics available for Veneration until 11:25 AM
• 11:30 AM - Parish Mass for Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of Universe (Church) 
• 12:30 PM - Relics packed away; prepare for departure

•   1:00 PM - Farewell Ceremony before relics depart
  
  

About the Relics

On 18th April 1925, forty-six years after her death, the body of Bernadette Soubirous was exhumed so that relics could be retrieved. The “Original Acts”, preserved in the Archives of Nevers and written in Latin, indicate that taken for the relics were:

• A fragment of the 5th rib
• A fragment of the 6th rib
• The kneecaps
• A sample of muscle, from the external part of the right femur
• Lots of hair
• And various fragments which came from muscles and skin

Learn more on the St. Bernadette USA Tour website.

What are relics and why do we venerate them?

All photos are copyrighted ©, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pierre Vincent, do not reproduce without written authorization, do not use for commercial purpose.