Over 3,000 people prayed today before what is believed to be the heart of Saint Camillus in Killucan, Co Westmeath.
This is only the third time in four centuries that it has been taken outside of Rome.
Its arrival commemorates 75 years continuous service by the Camillian Order in Ireland.
Killucan is the headquarters of the Order's Irish and British province and the priests and brothers help to run a 57-bed nursing and respite home in the grounds of their monastery there.
The Westmeath Hospice also has a small unit in the complex.
The itinerary for the relic's two-week visit includes Dublin and Knock, Co Mayo.
It is scheduled to arrive at the Mater Hospital in the capital on Thursday 15 July. It will then be taken to the nearby St Joseph's Church on Berkeley Road, where mass will be celebrated by Fr Stephen Foster, Provincial of the Order of St Camillus at 5.45pm.
The relic will be in the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin for mass at 7.30pm on 16 July before moving to St Mary’s Centre in Delvin, Co Westmeath on 19 July.
On Saturday 24th July, the relic will be at Our Lady's Shrine in Knock and will be returned to Rome on 26 July.
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