Dadizele (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Saint Bernadette of Lourdes relic will be present in Dadizele (3-6 May) and Poperinge (30-31 May). 18 visions of the Virgin Mary were experienced by Bernadette Soubirous (1858, Lourdes). Millions visit Lourdes for healing.
The relic of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes will be in Dadizele, a Zonnebeke municipality in West Flanders province, Belgium, from May 3 to May 6, 2025. The pilgrimage event was initially scheduled for 2020 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The basilica in Dadizele is a well-known Marian pilgrimage site, and many people are expected to visit during this time to venerate a piece of the saint’s remains.
Pastor Marc Vantyghem referred to the occurrence as “a piece of Lourdes coming to Dadizele,” stressing how closely people associate with the spirit of Lourdes, to which Saint. He stated that the relic visit will bring about an occasion of contemplation, prayer, and worship, reminding everyone of the powerful Marian spirit tradition of the area.
When will the relic of Saint Bernadette be in Poperinge?
The Saint Bernadette of Lourdes relic will be present in Poperinge, Belgium, on May 30 and 31, 2025. The relic was here before being taken away at the beginning of the pandemic. People are expecting it to attract many individuals who will wish to honor Saint Bernadette.
Bernadette Soubirous was a 14-year-old French teenager from Lourdes. Bernadette experienced 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. She was seen for the first time in front of the Grotto of Massabielle on February 11, 1858. The Virgin Mary instructed Bernadette to dig up the soil when Bernadette asked her what she must do. A spring of water appeared. People believe the water has healing powers.
Many people visit Lourdes to drink the water. At first, people didn’t believe Bernadette’s story. The Catholic Church eventually said her visions were real. Bernadette chose to live a quiet life. She joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers.
After Bernadette died, parts of her body were kept as relics. This is a common practice in the Catholic Church for saints. Her body was dug up several times and was found to be in good condition. This made people believe she was a saint. Some of her relics are in special containers called reliquaries. They are kept in important churches. Other relics travel around the world.
People can see the relics and pray to Bernadette. The apparitions in Lourdes led to a big pilgrimage site. Millions of people visit the site every year. The site has the grotto, the spring, and several churches. People go there to pray, get healed, and show their devotion.
