Relics of St Bernadette at Westminster Cathedral

Praying with St Bernadette. ICN/JS

There were huge crowds queuing outside Westminster Cathedral night and day this weekend, as many thousands of people came to venerate the relics of St Bernadette - on the first leg of their historic pilgrimage to England, Scotland and Wales. As in Lourdes - people in wheelchairs were able to enter Cathedral without the need for queuing. At times many others had to wait hours.

After their first stop and all-night vigil at St Thomas of Canterbury church in Fulham, the Cathedral visit began on Saturday morning with a Solemn Mass of Welcome celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and the enshrining of the relics.

In his homily the Cardinal said: "This is a great family gathering. Today, this family of the Church welcomes a daughter, a little sister, of whom we are so proud, whom we truly love, because our loving Father chose her for great things. Bernadette of Lourdes is among us. Truly, we thank God for this moment."

A Service of Anointing of the Sick, presided by Bishop John Sherrington took place that afternoon.

In the evening, the Vigil Mass of Sunday was celebrated by Bishop Nicholas Hudson. After Night Prayer at 10pm, there was a steady procession of pilgrims through the Cathedral all night - sometimes accompanied by a music group singing Taize chants, sometimes the Cathedral organ and often just in a gentle silence.

On Sunday morning Masses were celebrated at 6, 7 and 8am as the procession of pilgrims to the Relics at the back of the cathedral.

The 9.30am Mass celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan was live-streamed. At 12noon -there was a Solemn Sung Mass, celebrated by Bishop Nicholas Hudson, sung by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral.

In the afternoon there was Rosary, Solemn Vespers with Benediction, sung by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral. This evening there was a Sung Mass, celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington, Rosary and Night Prayer, followed by a second All-night Vigil.

On Monday morning there will be Mass at 6am. The final Mass of Farewell will be celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols before the Relics are taken on the next step of their two months pilgrimage - to the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Hayes, Middlesex. From there they will travel to St Mary's University and St John Fishers Church in Shepperton.

In October there will be back in Westminster Diocese in St Joseph's Stevenage, the Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden, Wormwood Scrubbs Prison and the Ukrainian Cathedral.

Julie a retired teacher from north London told ICN: " This is a wonderful experience for me and my family. For the last couple of years we haven't been able to go to Lourdes, but this feels as though Lourdes has come to us."

For the full itinerary see: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45315

Text: Cardinal Vincent Nichols at Welcome Mass: www.cbcew.org.uk/homily-arrival-of-the-relics-of-st-bernadette/

Read more about the tour of the Relics: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45207