The Memorial of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes is the Patron Saint of

• Bodily illness,
• Lourdes, France,
• Shepherds and shepherdesses,
• Against poverty,
• People ridiculed for their faith

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Feast Day, Beatification Date, Canonization DateMatrimony/Holy OrdersNot Married who became Saints

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes Short life History

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes is also known as
• Bernardette Soubirous
• Sleeping Saint of Nevers
• Bernada, Bernardetta, Bernardette, Maria Bernadette, Marie Bernarde

• She was oldest of six children born to François and Louise Casterot, and grew up very poor.
• She was hired out as a servant from age 12 to 14.
• She was a shepherdess.
• On 11 February 1858, around the time of her first Communion, she received a vision of the grotto (Virgin); her own account of it is in the Readings section below.
• She received seventeen more in the next five months, and was led to a spring of healing waters.
• She moved into a house with the Sisters of Nevers at Lourdes where she lived, worked, and learned to read and write. The sisters cared for the sick and indigent, and at age 22 they admitted Bernadette into their order since she was both. Always sick herself, and often mistreated by her superiors, she died with a prayer for Mary’s aid.
• Since the appearances of Mary to young Bernadette in 1858, more than 200 million people have visited the shrine of Lourdes.

Today’s Catholic Quote:

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes was born on 7 January 1844 at Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrénées, France and died on 16 April 1879 in Nevers, Nièvre, France of natural causes. The sisters covered the body in wax, and it is on display in Nevers