OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, INCH ISLAND (R.C.) ~ Built 1932
THE STONE TOUCHED BY OUR LADY WHICH IS ON DISPLAY IN THE CHURCH
On one wall of the church hangs a framed letter and newspaper cutting which relates to the small stone embedded in marble below it. The stone is from a rock touched by the Holy Virgin's feet during the Apparitions. The letter comes from F. Xavier, Bishop of Lourdes and is written to Fr. O'Mullin. The translation from French to English reads:
"27th January 1923
My Dear Father O'Mullin,
In place of Canon Eckert, my secretary, who is absent, I comply with your pious desire, and I send you a piece, duly authenticated, of the rock which the most Holy Virgin touched with her feet during the Apparitions.
I am happy, and so tell your parishioners, to be able by the sending of this precious souvenier to give an incentive to the filial piety of my good Irish friends for Our Lady of Lourdes.
I bless them all from the bottom of my heart in the name of the Immaculate Virgin, and I most earnestrly desire that they return soon, and in very great numbers, in a pilgrimage to the miraculous Grotto.
I present my affectionate and devoted respects to my most dear and venerated brother, Dr. McHugh, Bishop of Derry.
Adieu, my dear Father O'Mullin. Pray for me. I heartily bless you.
F. Xavier"
GENEOLOGY LINK
"27th January 1923
My Dear Father O'Mullin,
In place of Canon Eckert, my secretary, who is absent, I comply with your pious desire, and I send you a piece, duly authenticated, of the rock which the most Holy Virgin touched with her feet during the Apparitions.
I am happy, and so tell your parishioners, to be able by the sending of this precious souvenier to give an incentive to the filial piety of my good Irish friends for Our Lady of Lourdes.
I bless them all from the bottom of my heart in the name of the Immaculate Virgin, and I most earnestrly desire that they return soon, and in very great numbers, in a pilgrimage to the miraculous Grotto.
I present my affectionate and devoted respects to my most dear and venerated brother, Dr. McHugh, Bishop of Derry.
Adieu, my dear Father O'Mullin. Pray for me. I heartily bless you.
F. Xavier"
GENEOLOGY LINK