St Bernardette is the patron Saint of:
- Lurdes,
- the poor,
- the shepherds,
- people who are mocked and humiliated because of their faith,
- against physical and all other diseases,
- poverty.
Saint Bernadette Soubirous
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 favor of coming here for the next fortnight?”
Saint Bernadette Soubirous
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 in Nevers, France.
“I saw a lady dressed in white, she wore a white dress, an equally white veil, a blue belt and a yellow rose on each foot.” St Bernadette
Other post related to St Bernadette Soubirous:
- How to get FREE Lourdes water the quickest and the cheapest way!
- Shrine of St Bernadette Soubirous of Nevers France and her incorrupt Body which has not decayed
- Lourdes of Litchfield shrine
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Grotto of Massabielle
Apparitions of St Bernadette Soubirous
Thursday 11th. February 1858: First apparitions: Accompanied by her sister and a friend, Bernadette went to Massabielle on the banks of the Gave to collect bones and dead wood. Removing her socks in order to cross the stream, she heard a noise like a gust of wind, she looked up towards the Grotto:
“I saw a lady dressed in white, she wore a white dress, an equally white veil, a blue belt and a yellow rose on each foot.” Bernadette made the Sign of the Cross and said the Rosary with the lady. When the prayer ended the Lady suddenly vanished.
Thursday 16th. July: The Final Apparition: Bernadette received the mysterious call to the Grotto, but her way was blocked and closed off by a barrier. She thus, arrived across from the Grotto to the other side. “I felt that I was in front of the Grotto, at the same distance as before, I saw only the Blessed Virgin, and she was more beautiful than ever.
30 years after her death, the cause of the Beatification of Bernadette required that her body be exhumed. When it was exhumed in September 1909, April 1919 and again in April 1925 it was found intact.
Since 3rd August 1925 the body of Bernadette is preserved in a shrine in the chapel of what was known as the Convent of St. Gildard of Nevers.
Top 15 recommended hotels near Lourdes Sanctuary
The body of Bernadette is, according to doctors, “mummified”. Only a few relics have been removed. A very thin film of wax has been laid on her face and hands and molded directly onto her features.
The body of Bernadette in the Convent of St. Gildard of Nevers.
Source of images:
Weltwoche 8/08, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3703523
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=179210
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=261732