On Wednesday 19 October 2022, students from Bishop Thomas Grant School ventured to St George’s Cathedral to participate in the St Bernadette Relic Tour. Students arrived to find a cathedral full of worshippers who also wanted to share in this journey on pilgrimage. The 12:30 Mass celebrated the life and faith of St Bernadette and then students proceeded to venerate the relics. This mini pilgrimage was a wonderful opportunity to bear active witness to our faith and to feel the spiritual effects of being in the presence of the beautiful reliquary. The day ended with a picnic lunch in the gardens of the Imperial War Museum and an impromptu recitation of the Pater Noster!
Some student reflections:
“It was definitely quite overwhelming and you could ‘feel’ the presence of the relics. Genuflecting in front of the relics seemed much more impactful compared to a standard Mass – a very special moment of respect and importance.” Clarissa, Year 10
“I felt proud to be a part of such an interconnected community.” Emily, Year 8
“The relics themselves were beautiful, and you could feel that they radiated a spiritual energy… I felt they connected to something that was deep inside of me.” Mikolaj, Year 8
“The relic was beautiful and it was even better knowing this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me.” Ines, Year 9
“I felt very honoured to be there and to see the relics.” Kacper, Year 8
“I absolutely loved seeing and getting close to the actual relics, I only thought we were going to see it from afar not up close but we did and it left me stunned. It was a big deal for me, I’m very familiar with St. Bernadette and so getting close to her relics was amazing.” Valeska, Year 9
“When I was only one person away from the relics, I could hardly hold my excitement from the thought that I could go and see them in person, half a meter away from me. I also got the thrilling opportunity to touch the glass. That was a very special moment for me.” Josh, Year 7
