Our Lady of Lourdes Church
October 7, 2026

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October 8, 2026

Dear Friends,

October 7 was a historic day for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Our parish was founded in 1914, and our present church was opened in 1964. For the first time, the U.S. tour of the relics of Saint Bernadette stopped here at Our Lady of Lourdes in West Orange.

The relics, ordinarily enshrined in France, arrived at 7:30 a.m. The day included 8:30 a.m. Mass celebrated by Bishop Manuel Cruz, 6:30 p.m. Mass, veneration of the relics, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Anointing of the Sick, prayer throughout the day, and the Gesture of the Water.

This remarkable day was possible because of the dedication of more than 80 volunteers from Our Lady of Lourdes and neighboring parishes. Thank you! You assisted with hospitality, prayer, church decorations, prayer cards, the Gesture of the Water, and many other needs that arose throughout the day.

Our Lady of Lourdes has always been known as a welcoming parish, and you demonstrated this spirit beautifully. You welcomed friends and neighbors, people we knew and people we had never met, and pilgrims who traveled from near and far. You helped them find their way, answered their questions, prayed with them, and made them feel at home.

Through your service, you also honored Our Lady of Lourdes parishioners, living and deceased. Many faithful parishioners who helped build and sustain this parish did not live to see this day, but I believe they were united with us in spirit. I know that Monsignor Joseph Petrillo, for example, would have been delighted. As your pastor, I am deeply proud of the dedication, generosity, and love you demonstrated.

This was not simply a one-day undertaking. For two months, volunteers and staff attended meetings, made plans, prepared materials, and addressed countless details. Our Art and Environment Team and rectory staff worked tirelessly behind the scenes, both during the preparations and throughout October 7. They were present morning, noon, and night to help make this visit possible. We are also grateful to the U.S. representatives of the Saint Bernadette relics tour for their guidance and assistance. The Our Lady of Lourdes Choir and Music Ministry enabled us to raise our voices in prayer and song - for the Masses were truly uplifting- for over 1,000 visitors and pilgrims.

Special thanks go to Don and Lisa Shauger and The Shauger Group, who have generously supported our parish over the years. They provided members of their construction crew to assist with moving the heavy reliquary and statue safely into and out of the church. Their team began work at 6:00 a.m. on both October 7, and October 8.

We are profoundly grateful to the West Orange Police Department. When I first approached the department regarding security for the visit, the Police Chief's team generously offered their assistance and suggested providing a police escort. On Wednesday morning, West Orange police officers accompanied the tour van on its round trip from West Orange to the previous tour location in Summit and back to our parish for the arrival of the relics.

The Police Department maintained a presence at our property throughout the visit, including overnight from Wednesday into Thursday. On Thursday morning, officers escorted the relics from Our Lady of Lourdes to their next destination, the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Their care, professionalism, and generosity gave us tremendous reassurance.

Above all, this was a day of prayer, healing, strength, and grace. Thank you to everyone who gave time, offered assistance, welcomed pilgrims, or prayed with us. You demonstrated the faith and hospitality of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in a beautiful and memorable way.

Thank you again for making this historic day possible.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

With gratitude,
Father Jim Ferry, Pastor