Pilgrims venerate St. Bernadette relics in Emmitsburg

More than 650 pilgrims visited the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg on Sept. 22 to venerate relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous. The collection includes rib fragments, kneecaps, and samples of hair, skin, and muscle from the French saint, along with two large rocks from Lourdes, France.

The visit is part of a Journey of Grace tour visiting 140 locations across the country. Despite heavy rain and poor road conditions, attendees gathered in the shrine's glass chapel to pray before the gold-plated reliquary.

The relics remained at the shrine on Sept. 23 before scheduled travel to St. Bernadette in Severn, which is part of the Pastorate of Christ the King and St. Bernadette.