French saint's relics arrive in Dublin

The relics of the 17th century French Jesuit who promoted the Sacred Heart of Jesus are to arrive in Dublin later today.

The bones of St Claude de la Colombiere, which have been on a five-week tour of all 26 Catholic dioceses across the country, will be received at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.

St Claude (1641-1682) was the spiritual director of St Margaret Mary and with her promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

He was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 1992 and this is the only time that his relics have left the shrine of Paray-le-Monial in the last 300 years.

The Pro-Cathedral will be open to the public tomorrow from 7.30am until 10pm, with Fr Bernard McGuckian S.J, organiser of the pilgrimage of relics, celebrating the 11am Mass.

Cardinal Desmond Connell will also hold a special service for the occasion at 8pm.

The relics will leave the Pro-Cathedral on Friday morning for the return journey to Paray-le-Monial in France.