Information for visiting the Relics of St Bernadette (updated 7th Oct)

The following is a guide of what to expect when you visit the Relics of St Bernadette at Our Lady of Lourdes Wanstead on 18th October

The Relics arrive at 10am on Tuesday 18th October and between 11am and 3pm on Tuesday is reserved for school parties and members of the public will not be allowed in during that time.

The Relics can be viewed by the public between 3pm and Midnight (except when Mass takes place at 7:30pm) on Tuesday 18th October and between 6am and 9am on Wednesday 19th October

Bishop Alan Willams, Bishop of Brentwood will concelebrate Mass at 7:30pm on Tuesday evening.

You do not have to book to visit the church to venerate St. Bernadette, but booking will help us have an idea of numbers. Bookings can be made here: https://stbernadette.org.uk/registration/

On arrival at the Church, you will be directed by a steward to the queue which will start at the assessable entrance and will go along the Parish Centre and then out alone the outside wall of the Church at busy tines there could be a long wait.

The Church carpark will be closed to all vehicles accept Blue Badge holders and special arrangements are available for disabled pilgrims.

Once you enter the Church, the queue will go down the side aisle and the across the centre, where the Relics will be in front of the sanctuary.

Each Pilgrim has a maximum of 15 seconds in front of the Relics and then you will be asked to leave the Church via the other aisle immediately via the centre doors, and disabled pilgrims will leave via the accessible exit.

No one will be allowed to stay in the Church and all the pews will be closed off for the duration of the visit of the Relics, there are no exceptions.

The last pilgrim before the Mass on Tuesday evening will be at 7pm, and pilgrims once again be allowed to visit the relics once the Church has been cleared around 9pm till Midnight.

There will be stewards in the carpark and inside the Church and these are all volunteers, and we request that you follow their instructions, and you are respectful to them.

Last updated: 7th October 22