Tour of St Bernadette's relics 'exceeds expectations' of clergy across the country 

Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin venerating the relics of St Bernadette of Lourdes at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Cork, on October 30. Picture: Dan Linehan

A candlelight procession snaked its way around the grounds of the historical Holy Cross Abbey in Tipperary, the long queue making it look like a respectful group of mourners waiting to extend their sympathies to a grief-stricken family.

But instead, there was a joy to be felt in the congregation as those waiting to get inside the door of the church felt that every step was one closer to coming close to the relics of St Bernadette, the Lourdes visionary.