Crowds queue to see Mother Teresa relic
A RELIC OF SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA IS ON A NATIONAL TOUR OF IRELAND AND LAST WEEK SPENT FOUR DAYS HERE
A relic of Saint Teresa of Calcutta has been visiting cathedrals across Ireland since June as part of a two month tour of the country.
The first class relic was in Sligo from last Tuesday until Thursday.
Having previously visited Enniskillen, Strabane, Derry and Coleraine, the relic, and indeed the merchandise sellers made their way to County Sligo.
Having arrived in Sligo on Tuesday evening, a Veneration took place that evening after mass at Sligo Cathedral, open to all members of the public.
There were two morning masses on Wednesday, with Veneration following before the relic made its way to the convent for Veneration by the Sisters of Charity.
Evening mass was held that evening too with Veneration afterwards.
Mass was held at 8am and 10.30am on Thursday, before a final Veneration at 3pm, with the relic then departing later that afternoon.
The relic then travelled to Ballaghaderreen on Thursday evening.
As the church bells rang out following 10.30am mass on Thursday, the church didn’t empty.
In fact, one would have been forgiven for thinking mass was still ongoing, with people remaining in the church for the veneration of the relic.
Locals turned out in their numbers to see the relic of Mother Teresa, with huge queues forming after every mass to receive a blessing with the relic.
Merchandise sellers, of which there were three different tables, were kept busy on the day, selling religious items and paraphernalia, including framed photos of St. Teresa in the car park of Sligo Cathedral.
The Knights of Columbanus in Newry were given the first class relic from the Sisters of Charity and brought the relic on tour before it will take up permanent residency at Newry Cathedral shortly.
The relic, a muslin cloth with the blood of St. Teresa, attracted swarms of people to the cathedral during the week.