Relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous are currently touring the United States in a series of events titled "The Journey of Grace," which is making stops at 140 locations across the country. The displays feature a 132-pound reliquary plated in 24-karat gold, containing fragments of the 19th-century saint’s ribs, kneecaps, hair, muscle, and skin.

St. Bernadette is best known for her reported 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858 at Lourdes, a small town in France. She passed away in 1879 at age 35, with tuberculosis cited as a contributing factor. Lourdes has since become the most frequented Catholic pilgrimage site worldwide, with the Church recognizing 72 miracles attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes.

The Catholic tradition of venerating relics—physical remains of saints—dates back to around 156 AD and remains a significant aspect of devotional practice. Rev. Patrick Flanagan, chair of St. John’s University theology department, explained that Catholics believe in the sanctity of the human body, viewing it as more than a vessel for the soul. "It is essentially the saints’ presence among us once again. It is comforting and encouraging to realize that heaven has come to Earth in the presence of these relics," Flanagan said.

He also clarified that Catholics do not worship saints but venerate them as holy figures who serve as spiritual intercessors. The display of St. Bernadette’s relics offers believers a tangible connection to her life and faith.

The tour is currently visiting New York, with ten stops including a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral on October 20. The exhibition aims to provide an opportunity for reflection on the deep historical and spiritual significance of relics within the Catholic tradition.