Saint Bernadette

We have been learning about saints in class.
I enjoyed finding out about Saint Bernadette.
I found it challenging to fit everything in.

Here it is...


This year my parents took me on a trip to Europe and the UK.  On this trip we went to Lourdes in France.  That is where Saint Bernadette lived.  In 1858 she saw Mary 18 times when she was just 14.

Mary’s First Appearance

Bernadette was collecting firewood with her sister and friend when they went across the river.  Bernadette stayed as she thought it would be bad for her asthma.
She felt wind - but the trees weren’t moving.  She looked in the Grotto beside her and a beautiful young lady appeared before her dressed in white and with Rosary beads in her hand.  The young lady was Mary.

Bernadette was scared but the young lady smiled and without knowing what she was doing Bernadette took her rosary out of her pocket and started praying the Rosary.
Mary then took her own Rosary beads in her hands, made the sign of the cross and then moved the beads through her fingers as Bernadette said the Rosary. That was the first time Mary appeared to Bernadette.

What Mary Said

Mary asked Bernadette to pray for the sinners. She also asked Bernadette to get the priest to build a chapel where the grotto was. Mary encouraged Bernadette to pray the rosary.

Mary said to Bernadette”I can’t promise that I’ll make you happy in this world, but in the next…”
Miraculous Water
Bernadette dug out the spring water with her own hands after Mary told her to. Water from  the spring has healed people from all over the world. These are miracles.
We drank the Lourdes miraculous water and we washed our rosary beads in it as well.

Pilgrims

Many people from all over the world visit Lourdes as it is a holy place and some are sick and pray for a miracle.

Every night at Lourdes there is a candlelight procession for pilgrims. We went to this procession.  There is also an international Mass every morning that we went to.