Catholics in Cameroon gather in Yaoundé to welcome Lourdes statue and St. Bernadette relics in a historic event of faith and devotion.
Newsroom (04/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) The Catholic Church in Cameroon marked a historic and deeply spiritual milestone on May 2 as the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and the relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous were solemnly received in the Archdiocese of Yaoundé, drawing thousands of faithful in a powerful display of devotion.
The celebration unfolded at the Mary Queen of the Apostles Basilica in Yaoundé, where bishops, priests, religious men and women, seminarians, Marian groups, Church associations, civil authorities, and lay faithful gathered from the early hours of the morning. The event has been widely described as a moment of grace not only for the local Church but for the nation as a whole.
Presiding over the opening ceremony, Archbishop Jean Mbarga, Local Ordinary of Yaoundé, captured the significance of the occasion with a striking declaration: “Today, Lourdes is in Cameroon, Lourdes is in Yaoundé.”
The visit forms part of a global mission initiated by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which since 2017 has brought the spiritual presence associated with the Marian shrine in France to various parts of the world. Fr. Emmanuel, an envoy of the shrine, described the visit as “a special blessing for the Church in Cameroon.”
Organizers highlighted the unprecedented nature of the event, noting that it marks the first time the relics of St. Bernadette have been brought to Africa. In a further exceptional gesture, it was announced that the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes will remain in Cameroon after completing a tour across ten dioceses, bearing the invocation: “Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for Cameroon.”
In his homily, Archbishop Mbarga reflected on the theological and spiritual depth of the moment, emphasizing the enduring importance of Marian devotion and the role of relics in Christian life. “Mary is so powerful!” he said, adding, “By welcoming this relic, we express the desire to see God dwell in our own lives.”
The Archbishop also shared a personal testimony from his pilgrimage to Lourdes, describing it as a profound encounter with the care and closeness of the Virgin Mary. “Through St. Bernadette, it is the Virgin Mary who visits her people and reminds us that hope never disappoints,” he said.
The statue and relics first arrived in Cameroon on the night of May 1 at Yaoundé-Nsimalen International Airport. During the solemn reception at the airport, Bishop François Achille Eyabi of the Diocese of Eséka described the occasion as “a time of grace and visitation” for the faithful.
“We are particularly happy and deeply moved to welcome here, through this solemn celebration, the Beautiful Lady of Lourdes, as well as the Relics of Saint Bernadette,” Bishop Eyabi said. He emphasized the deeper meaning of the event, noting, “Her presence reminds us that God never ceases to visit His people: He comes to meet us, He enters our history and our concrete realities to rekindle in us faith, hope, and charity.”
Following the airport reception, a solemn procession escorted the statue and relics from Nsimalen to the Basilica in Mvolyé. Thousands of faithful lined the route and later gathered for an overnight vigil marked by prayer, reflection, and expressions of devotion, underscoring the profound spiritual impact of the visit on the Catholic community in Cameroon.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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