Saint Bernadette of Lourdes

Biography

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, also known as Bernada, Bernardetta, Bernardette Soubirous, Bernardette, Maria Bernadette, Marie Bernarde, and the Sleeping Saint of Nevers, was born on 7 January 1844 in Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrénées, France. She was the oldest of six children born to Francois and Louise Casterot, and her family lived in poverty. From the age of 12 to 14, Bernadette was hired out as a servant due to her family's financial situation. During this time, she worked as a shepherdess, tending to sheep. It was during her time as a shepherdess that she had a significant encounter that would change her life forever. On 11 February 1858, around the time of her first Communion, Bernadette experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary at a grotto near Lourdes. This initial vision marked the beginning of a series of eighteen apparitions that Bernadette would receive over the next five months. During these apparitions, Bernadette was led to a spring of water, which she believed to have miraculous healing properties. News of Bernadette's visions quickly spread, and she gained a great deal of attention and scrutiny from both believers and skeptics. Despite facing skepticism and ridicule, Bernadette remained steadfast in her faith. She moved into a house with the Sisters of Nevers at Lourdes, where she lived, worked, and learned to read and write. The Sisters of Nevers cared for the sick and indigent, and at the age of 22, they admitted Bernadette into their order due to her own ill health and poverty. However, Bernadette often experienced mistreatment from her superiors. Bernadette's health continued to deteriorate, and she remained sick for most of her life. On her deathbed, Bernadette prayed for Mary's intercession and passed away on 16 April 1879 in Nevers, Nièvre, France, due to natural causes. Her body was found to be incorrupt, and the sisters covered it in wax. It is now on display in Nevers for veneration. Saint Bernadette was venerated on 18 November 1923 by Pope Pius XI, who declared her heroic virtues, and she was beatified on 14 June 1925 by the same pope. Finally, on 8 December 1933, Pope Pius XI canonized her, recognizing her as a saint of the Catholic Church. Saint Bernadette is revered as the patron saint against bodily ills, illness, poverty, and sickness. She is especially associated with the town of Lourdes, France, where the apparitions occurred. Today, the Shrine of Lourdes attracts millions of pilgrims each year, drawing from Saint Bernadette's powerful witness of faith and the healing waters associated with her visions. Saint Bernadette's life serves as an inspiration to all those facing illness, poverty, and ridicule, as she showed unwavering devotion to her faith in the face of adversity.