All Diocesan Articles

"There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, he would have given it to us." -St. John Vianney

Over 700 people flocked to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry on December 13th to venerate the incorrupt heart of St. John Vianney.

The major relic is in the early stages of a national tour organized by the Knights of Columbus, and at the request of Bishop Michael R. Cote, it was hosted as part of the diocese’s Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations. Housed in an ornate gold reliquary, the incorrupt heart was carried into the church in a procession led by the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, the Very Reverend Gregory Galvin, diocesan director of vocations, the Very Reverend Brian Converse, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Deacon William McGann of Our Lady of Lourdes. Beginning at 5 p.m. quiet prayer and veneration was led by Bishop Cote. Monthly Holy Hour for Vocations, which included a rosary prayed in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

The reliquary was placed on the altar beside the Sacred Host in the monstrance, recalling the saint’s great love for the Eucharistic Jesus. As Vianney explains, “There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, he would have given it to us.” The pews of the church were overfl owing with not only clergy and religious but also hundreds of lay people ready to honor the saint and ask for his powerful intercession.

Those present were able to line up in front of the reliquary and approach it individually, some even touching personal belongings to the reliquary to make them third class relics. The Knights of Columbus, entrusted with this relic by the Shrine of Ars in France, are focusing the tour on praying for the Church and her priests, as Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

St. John Vianney was a priest in postrevolution France. Making it his mission to deal with the religious indifference in his parish in Ars, he became famous for his powerful homilies and the 10 or more hours he spent in the confessional on a daily basis. “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus,” he once said.

“The priest is not a priest for himself – he is for you.”


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Calendar of Events

Posted on June 27, 2025 in: Events, Around the Diocese

31244

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, Events

1471

Join Bishop Reidy for a Youth Hike!
Middle School and High School youth are invited to a special hike with Bishop Reidy on Saturday, July 19th at 10:00 A.M. at Hurd State Park in East Hampton. Hurd State Park provides the perfect backdrop for a meaningful outdoor adventure, blending fun, exercise, scenic views, and moments of spiritual reflection. The park's flexible trails, peaceful riverside spots, and stunning overlooks make it an ideal place to connect with nature and one another. What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, and a picnic lunch. Parents are welcome, and Youth Groups are encoura...

Read More

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators

Posted on June 17, 2025 in: News, School News

1080

Now Hiring: Faith Filled Educators
There are several current job openings for educators in our diocese.  The positions are updated weekly, so be sure to bookmark this page in your browser-  NorwichDiocese.org/Employment Click Here to See the Current Open Positions  All candidates must complete the official professional application to be considered for a teaching position or principal position and submit it to the Diocesan School Office. Applications are available on the employment page of the website. Visit NorwichDiocese.org/Employment to view all of the open jobs in the di...

Read More

Pray for the Pope: Join the Sacred Heart Novena June 19–27
Knights of Columbus Launches Sacred Heart Novena for Pope Leo XIV New Haven, Conn. — The Knights of Columbus have announced a special novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the intention of Pope Leo XIV, beginning June 19—his anniversary of priestly ordination—and concluding June 27, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly is encouraging Knights, their families, and all people of goodwill to participate in the novena and to submit personal prayer intentions, which he will personally bring to Rome later this Jubilee Year. P...

Read More

Prayer for Our Nation

Posted on July 03, 2025 in: News

624

Prayer for Our Nation
  Prayer for Our Nation   God our Father, Giver of life, we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care. You are the rock on which this nation was founded. You alone are the true source of our cherished rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people. Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind Your people that true happiness is r...

Read More

Public Policy Office of Catholic Church Scores Wins in State’s Legislative Session
The Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference achieved “successes we were happy about” during the 2025 Connecticut Legislative Session, according to Deacon David Reynolds, the Conference’s associate director for public policy.  “Legislation dealing with abortion, transgender rights and immigration reflected the conflict between existing state law and the recently revised federal laws and regulations,” he says. “The good news is the Conference’s efforts to stop harmful legislation in the areas of abortion and gender-affi...

Read More

Annual Catholic Appeal

ACA DONATE

English

Español

 

Latest Articles
Prayer for Our Nation
With Pope's Support, Vatican to Publish Document on Synod's Final Phase
Pope Leo XIV’s Marriage Advice? Keep Calm and Pray the Rosary
Archdiocese Is Selected for National Parent and Family Faith Project
We Can Help. Promise to Protect-Pledge to Heal.
Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV Recommend This Book, Which Warns of a World Without God
Marriage Encounter Experience- August 15-17
Calendar of Events

 

Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Richard F. Reidy
Click to view album: Students Called to Feed the Hungry
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294