The story of their life
Bernadette grew up with limited education and chronic ill health, remained consistent under questioning about the events at Massabielle and later served quietly at Nevers.
Saint19th century · Feast April 16
St Bernadette Soubirous
Also known as Marie-Bernarde Soubirous, Bernadette of Lourdes, Saint Bernadette
Virgin
Religious sister
Visionary of Lourdes
A poor and frequently ill young woman of Lourdes who reported Marian apparitions, endured scrutiny and later lived a hidden religious life.
A note on content. This profile is a prototype draft. Devotional traditions, historical facts and uncertain traditions will be clearly identified once entries are reviewed. We do not publish invented quotations.
Historical context
Nineteenth-century France included severe poverty, social change and growing public interest in reported apparitions and healing.
Defining moments
- Growing up in poverty
- Encountering the lady at Massabielle
- Being questioned by authorities
- Entering religious life
- Living with chronic illness
Faith and spirituality
Simplicity, humility, truthfulness, Marian prayer and hidden service.
Why this saint matters today
Speaks to people who are poor, chronically ill, academically insecure or dismissed because they seem unimpressive.
Patronage and intercession
People turn to St Bernadette Soubirous in matters of:
The sick
People in poverty
Lourdes
Shepherds
People ridiculed for faith
A prayer
God of the lowly, through St Bernadette’s intercession strengthen the sick, the poor and all whose truthful witness is dismissed. Amen.
Timeline
Sources and further reading
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/04/16/st--mary-bernardette-soubirous--virgin.html
- https://www.lourdes-france.com/en/bernadette-soubirous/
- https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/
Source-quality status: unverified prototype