Overview
City of Nevers with the Convent of St. Gildard where you can see the her incorrupt Body which has not decayed of St. Bernadette Soubirous, visionary from Lourdes, France
St. Bernadette entered the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in 1866 as she wanted to dedicate her life to religion. She worked in the convent hospital even though she suffered illness herself including asthma and tuberculosis.
St. Bernadette died in 1879 after spending 13 years in the convent of St. Gildard. In 1925 her body was exhumed and was found to be incorrupt. It is now in a crystal coffin in the convent chapel.
Incorrupt Body which has not decayed of St. Bernadette Soubirous
More on the Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes HERE
Sanctuary of Saint Bernadette Soubirous Nevers France
Since 3rd August 1925, following her beatification, Bernadette’s body lies in a glass shrine in the chapel of the convent of Saint- Gildard in Nevers.
Bernadette’s body, when exhumed for the process of beatification, was found to be intact, to the surprise of those present.
See Top 15 Catholic shrines around the world.
Tomb of St Bernadette Soubirous
St. Bernadette’s Chapel
Built on the ruins of Saint Gildard’s Abbey, this simple and bright chapel was consecrated in 1856 when the community of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers moved into this new building.
See our guide how to get Free Lourdes water: the quickest and the cheapest way.
St Bernadette chapel
The Museum
The museum highlights the various steps in Bernadette’s life: the cachot, the grotto, Hospice of Lourdes and her time in Nevers. Some photographs and artefacts depict her daily life.
See other Catholic sites in France.
Holy Cross Oratory
Bernadette died at the age of 35 in the infirmary, which is now Holy Cross Oratory. During her thirteen years at Saint Gildard, she served as assistant-nurse, head-nurse and sacristan during which time she was often ill.
Holy Cross oratory
The Facade
On 7th July 1866, Bernadette Soubirous accompanied by the Superior of Lourdes and two other young girls, crossed the threshold of the Motherhouse in Nevers.
Engraved in stone, above the entrance, the words ‘Deus Charitas Est’ which Bernadette would have seen, describe the spirit of the Congregation since its foundation.
Tha facade of the shrine
The Cloister
A cloister, with huge glass windows, overlooks the flowerbeds. Its sunlit corridors lead to lounges, reading rooms, conference rooms and dining rooms.
Novitiate Chapel
Here in July 1866, wearing her Pyrenean costume, Bernadette told the story of the apparitions for the last time to 300 Sisters.
St. Joseph’s Chapel
Bernadette Soubirous died on 16th April, 1879 and was interred in this chapel for 40 years. The chapel is located in the middle of the sanctuary gardens, at the end of an avenue lined with beautiful lime trees.
St Joseph chapel
‘Gite’ Saint Michel
This ‘gite’ is situated in the gardens and detached from the Sanctuary. It is wheelchair accessible and can accommodate up to 15 people. It is made available to pilgrims en route to St. James of Compostella, also to hikers.
Our Lady of the Waters
The paths which cross the large gardens lead to this statue in front of which Bernadette chose to pray. She used to say: “It is she who reminds me most of the Lady I saw.”
Our lady of the waters
Mass times
The group can participate in the Masses in French offered in Bernadette’s Chapel :
- Daily at 11.45 a.m
- Wednesdays and Fridays at 8.00 a.m. and 11.45 a.m.
- Sundays and Holidays of Obligation at 10.00 a.m
- If you have a priest in your group, your leader must reserve the place and time of your Mass.
Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes
On January 7th 1844, Bernadette Soubirous was born in Lourdes, a small town in the Pyrenean mountains, to a miller’s family who enjoyed relative prosperity during the early years of Bernadette’s life.
In 1858 the Apparitions began for Bernadette.
On 11th February 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous left the Cachot with her sister and a friend to collect firewood on the banks of the Gave at Massabielle.
It all began with a gust of wind in the poplars. In the crevice of a rock, Bernadette noticed a “lady dressed in white” “I thought I had made a mistake … I rubbed my eyes … I looked again and I still saw the same lady.” “Would you do me the favour of coming here for the next fortnight?”
Between February and July, the Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to Bernadette.
During the 13 years spent in Saint Gildard, Bernadettte was successively assistant-nurse, nurse-in-charge of the infirmary, sacristan and very often sick herself. Her life was simple and ordinary.Bernadette had a joyful character and was always available for whatever was required of her. “I want my whole life to be inspired by love.”
She remained in the infirmary for long periods. She suffered greatly from a knee tumour and lung tuberculosis. She died on 16th April 1879, at the age of 35 and was buried in Saint Joseph’s Chapel in the centre of the garden.
On 8th December 1933, she was canonised and declared saint.
The history of Saint-Gildard
In the 19th century, the reconstituted Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers attracted a substantial number of novices.
The old Convent of the Visitation where the Sisters had been living, no longer met their requirements so they were obliged to seek accommodation elsewhere.
So the Bishop of Nevers, Monsignor Dufetre proposed building on a site near the town, on a hill – an ancient place of worship where nothing remained except a church with a wine press.
The origin of the sanctuary on the hill (Saint-Gildard) dates back to the Middle Ages.
Monks had settled there and a priory was built – possibly at the end of the 7th or the beginning of the 8th century. It was consecrated to Saint Loup, a deacon who had converted the Lord of the nearby town of La Charite.
Very quickly the name of Saint Gildard was associated with that of Saint Loup.
Saint Gildard was a priest who had particular influence on the parishioners of Lurcy-le-Bourg where he ministered. After his death his body was transferred to the priory church. The number of miracles increased, attracting crowds of people.
Only the name of Saint Gildard remained as a reference to this abbey, situated one kilometre outside the walls of the town and surrounded by vineyards. By the 19th century, almost nothing remained of the original priory and church except three bays of the nave and two portals to the south and the west.
Bernadette’s prayer
“O Jesus, give me I pray …
the bread of humility, the bread of obedience, the bread of charity,
the bread of strength to break my will, and make it one with yours,
the bread of patience to bear the pain my heart endures,
the bread to see you and you alone in all things and always!”
“I put my hope in you, Lord. Be my house of refuge because you are my strength.”
“He is sufficient for me … Jesus alone for riches.”
Source and photos
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
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Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Sanctuary of Bernadette Soubirous is located in the centre of Nevers, on a hill not far from the River Loire, 600 metres from the railway station, the former Palace of the Dukes of Nevers and the Cathedral.
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Daily at 11.45 a.m
Wednesdays and Fridays at 8.00 a.m. and 11.45 a.m.
Sundays and Holidays of Obligation at 10.00 a.m
If you have a priest in your group, your leader must reserve the place and time of your Mass.
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Sanctuary of Saint Bernadette Soubirous
Bernadette’s body, when exhumed for the process of beatification, was found to be intact, to the surprise of those present.
Since 3rd August 1925, following her beatification, Bernadette’s body lies in a glass shrine in the chapel of the convent of Saint- Gildard in Nevers.
St. Bernadette’s Chapel
Built on the ruins of Saint Gildard’s Abbey, this simple and bright chapel was consecrated in 1856 when the community of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers moved into this new building.
The Museum
The museum highlights the various steps in Bernadette’s life: the cachot, the grotto, Hospice of Lourdes and her time in Nevers. Some photographs and artefacts depict her daily life.
Holy Cross Oratory
Bernadette died at the age of 35 in the infirmary, which is now Holy Cross Oratory. During her thirteen years at Saint Gildard, she served as assistant-nurse, head-nurse and sacristan during which time she was often ill.
The Facade
On 7th July 1866, Bernadette Soubirous accompanied by the Superior of Lourdes and two other young girls, crossed the threshold of the Motherhouse in Nevers.
Engraved in stone, above the entrance, the words ‘Deus Charitas Est’ which Bernadette would have seen, describe the spirit of the Congregation since its foundation.
The Cloister
A cloister, with huge glass windows, overlooks the flowerbeds. Its sunlit corridors lead to lounges, reading rooms, conference rooms and dining rooms.
Novitiate Chapel
Here in July 1866, wearing her Pyrenean costume, Bernadette told the story of the apparitions for the last time to 300 Sisters.
St. Joseph’s Chapel
Bernadette Soubirous died on 16th April, 1879 and was interred in this chapel for 40 years. The chapel is located in the middle of the sanctuary gardens, at the end of an avenue lined with beautiful lime trees.
‘Gite’ Saint Michel
This ‘gite’ is situated in the gardens and detached from the Sanctuary. It is wheelchair accessible and can accommodate up to 15 people. It is made available to pilgrims en route to St. James of Compostella, also to hikers.
Our Lady of the Waters
The paths which cross the large gardens lead to this statue in front of which Bernadette chose to pray. She used to say: “It is she who reminds me most of the Lady I saw.”
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
The history of Saint-Gildard
In the 19th century, the reconstituted Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers attracted a substantial number of novices.
The old Convent of the Visitation where the Sisters had been living, no longer met their requirements so they were obliged to seek accommodation elsewhere.
So the Bishop of Nevers, Monsignor Dufetre proposed building on a site near the town, on a hill – an ancient place of worship where nothing remained except a church with a wine press.
The origin of the sanctuary on the hill (Saint-Gildard) dates back to the Middle Ages.
Monks had settled there and a priory was built – possibly at the end of the 7th or the beginning of the 8th century. It was consecrated to Saint Loup, a deacon who had converted the Lord of the nearby town of La Charite.
Very quickly the name of Saint Gildard was associated with that of Saint Loup.
Saint Gildard was a priest who had particular influence on the parishioners of Lurcy-le-Bourg where he ministered. After his death his body was transferred to the priory church. The number of miracles increased, attracting crowds of people.
Only the name of Saint Gildard remained as a reference to this abbey, situated one kilometre outside the walls of the town and surrounded by vineyards. By the 19th century, almost nothing remained of the original priory and church except three bays of the nave and two portals to the south and the west.