Usually this saint is in April, on the 16th when she died. However, she seems to be in February this year, since the date in April is during Holy Week. Maybe that's why. Anyway:
"I am the Immaculate Conception". These are the words with which our Blessed Mother addressed herself to Bernadette in Lourdes, France. Today is that day Pius IX proclaimed in 1854 to be held in honor of this title of our Lady. This day isn't always celebrated for her, but, in some places, today is the day. Following concerns OUR LADY OF LOURDES and the apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette.
As a young 14-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubirous had multiple visions of the Blessed Lady in a grotto in the outskirts of Lourdes. Although her visions were widely doubted at the time, her humility, truthfulness and modesty encouraged many to believe. A few years after her reported visions, she became a nun and took the name Sister Marie Bernarde. She was later canonized by the Catholic Church. Lourdes has become one of the most popular locations of religious pilgrimage.
Bernadette never sought publicity or name and fame, in many ways she wished to live a quiet life; after the apparitions, she became increasingly attracted towards living a religious cloistered life. The miracles of Lourdes had become a significant national event, attracting the attention of many people from all over the country. For a couple of years, she had to patiently meet many well-wishers, sceptics, disbelievers and the curious who wished to hear directly from the ‘Visionary of Lourdes’ herself. Many reported how Bernadette was always very patient, kind and tolerant of the many uninvited visitors. Even sceptics were impressed with her evident sincerity, humility and simplicity; it is said that as she recounted her memories of seeing the Virgin Mary, her eyes would
light up giving a powerful credence to her reminiscences.
Although she patiently met visitors, Bernadette was increasingly attracted to the idea of entering a Carmel Convent, but her weak health made the demanding routines of the Carmelite convent unsuitable. In the end, she settled on entering the Convent at Nevers.
spirituality and saintliness were more than self-evident.
Despite suffering tremendously, she never complained, but continued to offer,
in her own words, her “feeble prayers.”
On arriving at the convent, all the sister were invited into the chapel where Bernadette was asked to recount her visions for the benefit of the sisters. After this time, the Mother Superior requested that the matter should never be referred to again. Bernadette was quite happy to accept this injunction as she herself wished to move on from merely repeating her stories. However, many senior clergy and other dignitaries came to the convent with the hope of speaking to the young visionary. On most occasions, the Convent gave permission for the senior priests to have an interview with Bernadette. Bernadette, with failing health, found these repeated interviews quite exhausting and on occasions tried to escape. However, although she felt drained from giving so many interviews, Bernadette would always answer the questions with good grace and humility. In these interviews, she displayed remarkable patience and modesty, even though she had to frequently repeat the same answers. She was also frequently asked to reveal the “secrets of the lady” – this, of course, she never did.
Prior to her death, Bernadette seemed to suffer from various ailments and afflictions. For several months she had been unable to take an active part in the convent lifestyle. For long periods she was confined to her bed. When asked why she didn’t go to Lourdes for healing, she replied, “It is not for me.”
Sister Nathalie Portat was present during the final day of Bernadette’s life. She remarked how in the afternoon the patient seemed to be tortured by an inexpressible interior agony and asked for those nearby to pray for her soul.
A few moments later Bernadette made a large sign of the cross,
drank a few drops of water and left her mortal body. (April 16, 1879)
Virgin Mary really did occur at the Grotto of Lourdes.
She received Beatification in 1925 and Canonization in 1933 under Pope Pius XI, not so much for the content of her visions, but rather for her simplicity and holiness of her life. St Bernadette is
the patron saint of sick persons and also of the family and poverty.
30 years after her death, Bernadette’s body was exhumed and found to be intact. Since 1925, the body of Bernadette is preserved in a shrine in the chapel of the Convent of St.Gildard of Nevers. Espace St. Gildard Convent in Nevers, France.
OUR LADY of LOURDES (1858)
The first of the eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the humble Bernadette Soubirous took place at Lourdes on February 11, 1858. On March 25th, when Bernadette asked the beautiful Lady Her name, She replied: "I am the Immaculate Conception." The Church for long centuries had believed in Her Immaculate Conception, Her exemption from every trace of the original sin which through Adam, our first and common father, separated man from his God. It was never proclaimed a dogma, however, until 1854. Mary Herself, in 1830, had asked of a Vincentian Sister at the Rue du Bac in Paris, that a medal be struck bearing Her likeness and the inscription: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee." Our Lady by Her apparitions at Lourdes in 1858 seems to convey Her appreciation for the formal proclamation of Her great privilege, by Pius IX, in 1854. Countless and magnificent miracles of healing have occurred at Lourdes, confirmed by physicians and recorded in the Lourdes shrine "Book of Life." To name but one: a doctor wrote a book describing the great miracle he had witnessed for a dying girl, whom he had observed on the train that was carrying handicapped persons from Paris to Lourdes. He had not expected her to survive and return home from the sanctuary.
Through the Lourdes Apparitions, the devotion of persons in all parts of the world to the Immaculate Mother of God has been wonderfully spread, and countless miracles have been wrought everywhere through Her intercession. The Virgin Mother of God is truly the chosen Messenger of God to these latter times, which are entrusted to Her, the chosen vessel of the unique privilege of exemption from original sin. Only with Her assistance will the dangers of the present world situation be averted. As She has done since 1858 in many places, at Lourdes, too, She gave us Her peace plan for the world, through Saint Bernadette: Prayer and Penance, to save souls.
I remember when working that a certain believer (not Catholic), would talk about Jesus' immaculate conception. I told him that this miracle pertained to His Mother, not Him, since Jesus was perfect, and not in need of any kind of special graces. I asked my friend that if he could have formed his own mother, wouldn't he want her to be as perfect as possible? He answered in the affirmative. I then told that Jesus did too, and that He did it for her at her conception, freeing her from the sin of Adam and Eve, because nothing is impossible to God. I left him to ponder this, which I'm sure he did, because he was a very contemplative type of person. Although, he didn't bring it up again. It must have been one of those crossroads for him, since he was a minister in the United Brethren church. We still got along great anyway, with many discussions on all sorts of topics. May God rest his soul, since he passed away a few years ago. He did, however, look just like Santa Claus, as we have seen in many portrayals.
Anyway, Bernadette's appeal for us was, and is: "Penance, penance, and penance." May this upcoming Lent keep us whole, and keep reminding us of this appeal. Through the Lourdes Apparitions, the devotion of persons in all parts of the world to the Immaculate Mother of God has been wonderfully spread, and countless miracles have been wrought everywhere through Her intercession. The Virgin Mother of God is truly the chosen Messenger of God to these latter times, which are entrusted to Her, the chosen vessel of the unique privilege of exemption from original sin. Only with Her assistance will the dangers of the present world situation be averted. As She has done since 1858 in many places, at Lourdes, too, She gave us Her peace plan for the world, through Saint Bernadette: Prayer and Penance, to save souls.
Also, please remember in your prayers for my best friend, Jim. He had a bout with the big "C" a few years ago and lost. Just when he thought he was clear of this disease, it came back with a vengeance. He had been told that it is now inoperable and incurable. I know he believed in Jesus, but he was not Catholic. I read the prayers for the dying from the "Pieta" book, which are very beautiful. I told him that the prayers were Catholic, but that the word 'catholic' means universal, so every one can use the effects. He wasn't offended. I hope they console him wherever he is now. Also, I would like to ask for prayers for his wife, Judy. I don't know if she is a believer, but she can use the prayers. Maybe we can help her in her grief and sorrow, hopefully to bring her around so that she doesn't despair and reject God entirely. She has lost her mother, one daughter, and her husband in the span of a couple of years.
Lord, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us and obtain for us that mercy.
Indulgenced Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes:
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, who to reanimate the faith of the world and draw men to thy divine Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, didst deign to appear at Lourdes; thou who, in order to render more manifest thy maternal tenderness, and to inspire our hearts with greater confidence, didst choose a simple little child as the confidant of thy mercy; thou who didst say: "I am the Immaculate Conception" to make us understand the priceless value of that innocence which is the pledge of the friendship of God; thou who by eighteen successive apparitions didst not cease by thy actions and words to urge men to prayer and penance, which alone can appease Heaven and ward off the blows of divine justice; thou who, by a moving appeal to the world, hast reunited before the miraculous grotto an innumerable multitude of thy children; behold us, Our Lady of Lourdes, prostrate at thy feet, and confident of obtaining blessings and graces from God by thy most powerful intercession. Those who love thee, O Mother of Jesus Christ, Mother of men, desire above everything to serve God faithfully in this world, so as to have the happiness of loving Him eternally in Heaven. Listen to the prayers which we this day address to thee; defend us against the enemies of our salvation, and against our own infirmities; together with the pardon of our sins, obtain for us perseverance in the determination never to fall away again. We implore thee also to take under thy protection our friends and benefactors, and of these in a very special manner those who have abandoned the practice of their Christian duties. May they be converted and become thy faithful servants. Amen.
(Indulgence 300 day, Pope Leo XIII)
This is the day when St. Bernadette saw the Blessed Virgin,
I thought that we should remember her also.
"I am the Immaculate Conception". These are the words with which our Blessed Mother addressed herself to Bernadette in Lourdes, France. Today is that day Pius IX proclaimed in 1854 to be held in honor of this title of our Lady. This day isn't always celebrated for her, but, in some places, today is the day. Following concerns OUR LADY OF LOURDES and the apparitions of Our Lady to Bernadette.
As a young 14-year-old girl, Bernadette Soubirous had multiple visions of the Blessed Lady in a grotto in the outskirts of Lourdes. Although her visions were widely doubted at the time, her humility, truthfulness and modesty encouraged many to believe. A few years after her reported visions, she became a nun and took the name Sister Marie Bernarde. She was later canonized by the Catholic Church. Lourdes has become one of the most popular locations of religious pilgrimage.
Short biography of Bernadette Soubirous
Bernadette was born on January 7th, 1844, into a loving and devoted family. At the time of her birth, her family were relatively prosperous; however, due to a series of misfortunes, her family were plunged into dire poverty. At one point, Bernadette’s father was arrested on suspicion of stealing firewood (a single wood plank); he was later released without charge, but the event was indicative of their poverty. Because of the family’s poverty, they were forced to live in a single room that used to be a prison cell. The cell was so dank that it was actually deemed to be too “unsanitary” even for prisoners. However, despite their material privations, the family were said to be loving and devoted to each other. The young children were brought up to accept their lot without complaint. Bernadette herself was generally very well liked and displayed great courtesy and kindliness to others. She suffered from ill health (asthma aggravated by damp living quarters) and because of the family’s poverty she missed the opportunity to get a proper schooling. When she was 14, she was still studying the basic Catechism with 7-year-old children. Thus she was intellectually ignorant of concepts such as the Immaculate Conception, which was soon to have a great impact on her life. (And, hope for us)Life after the Apparitions
Bernadette never sought publicity or name and fame, in many ways she wished to live a quiet life; after the apparitions, she became increasingly attracted towards living a religious cloistered life. The miracles of Lourdes had become a significant national event, attracting the attention of many people from all over the country. For a couple of years, she had to patiently meet many well-wishers, sceptics, disbelievers and the curious who wished to hear directly from the ‘Visionary of Lourdes’ herself. Many reported how Bernadette was always very patient, kind and tolerant of the many uninvited visitors. Even sceptics were impressed with her evident sincerity, humility and simplicity; it is said that as she recounted her memories of seeing the Virgin Mary, her eyes would
light up giving a powerful credence to her reminiscences.
Although she patiently met visitors, Bernadette was increasingly attracted to the idea of entering a Carmel Convent, but her weak health made the demanding routines of the Carmelite convent unsuitable. In the end, she settled on entering the Convent at Nevers.
Sister Marie Bernard
For the next 13 years, Bernadette (now called Sister Marie Bernarde) lived the simple life of a nun, eschewing the fame and attention that would have accompanied any worldly life. During her time as a nun, she frequently suffered from ill health. On one occasion she wryly remarked her only function was to “suffer”. However, her humility, obedience and cheerful attitude adhered her to the other sisters. In particular, young novices often gained much inspiration from spending time with Marie Bernard (the monastic name of Bernadette) Throughout her life, many noted how Bernadette made the sign of the cross with great devotion and sincerity. In prayer, her face often stood out, shining with an inner fervour. Although, Bernadette would refer to herself as the ‘stupid one’ and felt unworthy of the many graces she had received, to others herspirituality and saintliness were more than self-evident.
Despite suffering tremendously, she never complained, but continued to offer,
in her own words, her “feeble prayers.”
On arriving at the convent, all the sister were invited into the chapel where Bernadette was asked to recount her visions for the benefit of the sisters. After this time, the Mother Superior requested that the matter should never be referred to again. Bernadette was quite happy to accept this injunction as she herself wished to move on from merely repeating her stories. However, many senior clergy and other dignitaries came to the convent with the hope of speaking to the young visionary. On most occasions, the Convent gave permission for the senior priests to have an interview with Bernadette. Bernadette, with failing health, found these repeated interviews quite exhausting and on occasions tried to escape. However, although she felt drained from giving so many interviews, Bernadette would always answer the questions with good grace and humility. In these interviews, she displayed remarkable patience and modesty, even though she had to frequently repeat the same answers. She was also frequently asked to reveal the “secrets of the lady” – this, of course, she never did.
Death of Bernadette Soubirous
Prior to her death, Bernadette seemed to suffer from various ailments and afflictions. For several months she had been unable to take an active part in the convent lifestyle. For long periods she was confined to her bed. When asked why she didn’t go to Lourdes for healing, she replied, “It is not for me.”
Sister Nathalie Portat was present during the final day of Bernadette’s life. She remarked how in the afternoon the patient seemed to be tortured by an inexpressible interior agony and asked for those nearby to pray for her soul.
“At the words of the Angelic Salutation: “Holy Mary, Mother of God”, the dying woman revived, and, in a voice full of conviction, a voice that in her final moments expressed her profound humility and her daughterly confidence in the Immaculate Virgin, she twice repeated: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me, a poor sinner.” – Sister Nathalie Portat
drank a few drops of water and left her mortal body. (April 16, 1879)
Saint Bernadette Soubirous
Following the events of the apparitions, a papal investigation was founded. After long deliberation and careful examination of the evidence, it was declared that the visions of theVirgin Mary really did occur at the Grotto of Lourdes.
She received Beatification in 1925 and Canonization in 1933 under Pope Pius XI, not so much for the content of her visions, but rather for her simplicity and holiness of her life. St Bernadette is
the patron saint of sick persons and also of the family and poverty.
30 years after her death, Bernadette’s body was exhumed and found to be intact. Since 1925, the body of Bernadette is preserved in a shrine in the chapel of the Convent of St.Gildard of Nevers. Espace St. Gildard Convent in Nevers, France.
OUR LADY of LOURDES (1858)
The first of the eighteen apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the humble Bernadette Soubirous took place at Lourdes on February 11, 1858. On March 25th, when Bernadette asked the beautiful Lady Her name, She replied: "I am the Immaculate Conception." The Church for long centuries had believed in Her Immaculate Conception, Her exemption from every trace of the original sin which through Adam, our first and common father, separated man from his God. It was never proclaimed a dogma, however, until 1854. Mary Herself, in 1830, had asked of a Vincentian Sister at the Rue du Bac in Paris, that a medal be struck bearing Her likeness and the inscription: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee." Our Lady by Her apparitions at Lourdes in 1858 seems to convey Her appreciation for the formal proclamation of Her great privilege, by Pius IX, in 1854. Countless and magnificent miracles of healing have occurred at Lourdes, confirmed by physicians and recorded in the Lourdes shrine "Book of Life." To name but one: a doctor wrote a book describing the great miracle he had witnessed for a dying girl, whom he had observed on the train that was carrying handicapped persons from Paris to Lourdes. He had not expected her to survive and return home from the sanctuary.
Through the Lourdes Apparitions, the devotion of persons in all parts of the world to the Immaculate Mother of God has been wonderfully spread, and countless miracles have been wrought everywhere through Her intercession. The Virgin Mother of God is truly the chosen Messenger of God to these latter times, which are entrusted to Her, the chosen vessel of the unique privilege of exemption from original sin. Only with Her assistance will the dangers of the present world situation be averted. As She has done since 1858 in many places, at Lourdes, too, She gave us Her peace plan for the world, through Saint Bernadette: Prayer and Penance, to save souls.
I remember when working that a certain believer (not Catholic), would talk about Jesus' immaculate conception. I told him that this miracle pertained to His Mother, not Him, since Jesus was perfect, and not in need of any kind of special graces. I asked my friend that if he could have formed his own mother, wouldn't he want her to be as perfect as possible? He answered in the affirmative. I then told that Jesus did too, and that He did it for her at her conception, freeing her from the sin of Adam and Eve, because nothing is impossible to God. I left him to ponder this, which I'm sure he did, because he was a very contemplative type of person. Although, he didn't bring it up again. It must have been one of those crossroads for him, since he was a minister in the United Brethren church. We still got along great anyway, with many discussions on all sorts of topics. May God rest his soul, since he passed away a few years ago. He did, however, look just like Santa Claus, as we have seen in many portrayals.
Anyway, Bernadette's appeal for us was, and is: "Penance, penance, and penance." May this upcoming Lent keep us whole, and keep reminding us of this appeal. Through the Lourdes Apparitions, the devotion of persons in all parts of the world to the Immaculate Mother of God has been wonderfully spread, and countless miracles have been wrought everywhere through Her intercession. The Virgin Mother of God is truly the chosen Messenger of God to these latter times, which are entrusted to Her, the chosen vessel of the unique privilege of exemption from original sin. Only with Her assistance will the dangers of the present world situation be averted. As She has done since 1858 in many places, at Lourdes, too, She gave us Her peace plan for the world, through Saint Bernadette: Prayer and Penance, to save souls.
Also, please remember in your prayers for my best friend, Jim. He had a bout with the big "C" a few years ago and lost. Just when he thought he was clear of this disease, it came back with a vengeance. He had been told that it is now inoperable and incurable. I know he believed in Jesus, but he was not Catholic. I read the prayers for the dying from the "Pieta" book, which are very beautiful. I told him that the prayers were Catholic, but that the word 'catholic' means universal, so every one can use the effects. He wasn't offended. I hope they console him wherever he is now. Also, I would like to ask for prayers for his wife, Judy. I don't know if she is a believer, but she can use the prayers. Maybe we can help her in her grief and sorrow, hopefully to bring her around so that she doesn't despair and reject God entirely. She has lost her mother, one daughter, and her husband in the span of a couple of years.
Lord, have mercy on us. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us and obtain for us that mercy.
Indulgenced Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes:
O Holy Mary, Mother of God, who to reanimate the faith of the world and draw men to thy divine Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, didst deign to appear at Lourdes; thou who, in order to render more manifest thy maternal tenderness, and to inspire our hearts with greater confidence, didst choose a simple little child as the confidant of thy mercy; thou who didst say: "I am the Immaculate Conception" to make us understand the priceless value of that innocence which is the pledge of the friendship of God; thou who by eighteen successive apparitions didst not cease by thy actions and words to urge men to prayer and penance, which alone can appease Heaven and ward off the blows of divine justice; thou who, by a moving appeal to the world, hast reunited before the miraculous grotto an innumerable multitude of thy children; behold us, Our Lady of Lourdes, prostrate at thy feet, and confident of obtaining blessings and graces from God by thy most powerful intercession. Those who love thee, O Mother of Jesus Christ, Mother of men, desire above everything to serve God faithfully in this world, so as to have the happiness of loving Him eternally in Heaven. Listen to the prayers which we this day address to thee; defend us against the enemies of our salvation, and against our own infirmities; together with the pardon of our sins, obtain for us perseverance in the determination never to fall away again. We implore thee also to take under thy protection our friends and benefactors, and of these in a very special manner those who have abandoned the practice of their Christian duties. May they be converted and become thy faithful servants. Amen.
(Indulgence 300 day, Pope Leo XIII)
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