An unprecedented event in Eure-et-Loir in March, the presentation of the relics of Saint Bernadette

The Relic The body of Bernadette SOUBIROUS was exhumed on April 18, 1925, forty-six years after the death, in order to collect relics. This operation was entrusted to Doctors Comte and Talon. It was the first of these who took samples from the body which “was of a soft and almost normal consistency”, he was to write, in 1928, in the Bulletin of the Medical Association of Notre-Dame de Lourdes. On June 14, 1925, Pius XI proclaimed Bernadette Soubirous “Blessed”. Her body was then transferred to its current shrine in Nevers on July 18, 1925. On December 8, 1933, Pope Pius XI canonized Saint Bernadette, celebrated in the Church of France, on February 18. The “Original Acts”, kept in the Archives of Nevers and written in Latin, indicate that the following were taken for the relics: A fragment of the 5th rib A fragment of the 6th rib The kneecaps A muscle harvest from the external part of the right femur Many of hair And various fragments which came from the muscles and the skin The conservation and the attribution of these relics are entrusted to the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, under the vigilance of the Bishop of Nevers. These relics were offered, in the form of ex – carne or ex – osssibus plots, by the Sisters of Nevers, to various houses of their Congregation. The relic which is in the reliquary, which goes on a pilgrimage in France and abroad, is an ex-carne relic, given to the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception (Fathers of Garaison), founded in 1836. A From 1866, it is this congregation which directed the Sanctuary of Lourdes, at the request of Mgr Laurence, Bishop of Tarbes. In 2018, the Very Reverend Father Horacio Brito, Superior General of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Conception entrusted this relic to the Sanctuary of Lourdes. It is now in the reliquary made in Spain by the Granda workshops. This reliquary was solemnly inaugurated in Lourdes on May 30, 2019. Source: Diocese of Chartres

–See everything–

A weak but strong child

This puny child, living in a poor family, understanding only the dialect, not going to catechism, goes to see the Virgin at eighteen covers in total who will give him messages.

Harassed from all sides, she will show great composure and consistency in her statements to journalists, Church representatives, authorities …

From 1858, for those who believe in the authenticity of the apparitions, Bernadette becomes a saint, a celestial being.

His beatification process opened in 1904, continues to Tarbes and Nevers until 1919. The twice exhumed body of Bernadette is still found intact. The beatification was celebrated on June 14, 1925 in Saint-Pierre from Rome. Canonization followed eight years later, after two more miraculous healings were noted.

Relics revered around the world

The passages of the relics of Saint Bernadette as well as those of Saint Thérèse or the Curé of Ars are still the object of great devotion in the world.

It is truly an event for the diocese of Chartres because, with the health crisis, many pilgrims, sick or disabled, were unable to go to Lourdes in August this year. The arrival of these relics is Lourdes and Saint Bernadette, extremely popular, who comes to them. The relics left Lourdes there and they will go to Tours, Le Mans, Chartres, Angers and Paris.

After staying two months in Corsica, they will be in Eure-et-Loir from March 10, during the Lent. They will travel the entire diocese of Chartres.