A piece of history, literally
If you find yourself walking into a church and seeing a massive, gold-plated reliquary, don't trip—it's likely the St. Bernadette tour. We’re talking about a 132-pound, 24-karat gold display carrying actual fragments of St. Bernadette Soubirous. The collection includes bits of her fifth and sixth ribs, kneecaps, muscle from her right femur, strands of hair, and pieces of skin. It’s giving main character energy for the history books.
St. Bernadette, who became a massive figure after claiming 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in France back in 1858, died in 1879 at just 35. When her body was exhumed decades later for sainthood proceedings, reports claimed it was miraculously well-preserved. In 1925, parts were removed to be kept as relics, and now, those pieces are traveling to basilicas, hospitals, and universities all over the country.
Why it matters
To the uninitiated, keeping bone fragments in a box might seem a bit intense. But for Catholics, it’s not about being morbid—it’s about holding onto a tangible connection to someone they view as a holy intercessor. Rev. Patrick Flanagan, chair of the theology department at St. John’s University, told The Post that as tech starts to consume our daily vibes, people are lowkey craving things they can actually see and touch. "It is essentially the saints’ presence among us once again," he explained.
This isn't actually new for NYC, either. The city is already lowkey packed with relics, from Mother Cabrini’s remains in Washington Heights to a blood-stained sock from St. Padre Pio in the Garment District. The Bernadette tour kicked off in D.C. in September and is hitting West Harlem and Brooklyn this weekend before heading to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Say less if you were looking for some heavy-duty spiritual history.
