Bernadette Soubirous, French nun and saint (d. 1879)

Bernadette Soubirous, known universally as Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, was born on 7 January 1844, and passed away on 16 April 1879. Hailing from a humble family in Lourdes (Lorda in Occitan), a small town nestled in the Hautes-Pyrénées department of France, she was the firstborn child of a local miller. Her profound legacy stems from a series of profound spiritual experiences: Marian apparitions of a "young lady" that commenced on 11 February 1858 and continued until 16 July of the same year. During these eighteen encounters at the nearby cave-grotto of Massabielle, the enigmatic figure requested the construction of a chapel at this sacred site. Crucially, in a pivotal apparition on 25 March 1858, the "young lady" identified herself to Bernadette as "the Immaculate Conception," a theological assertion with immense significance, as the dogma of the Immaculate Conception had been formally declared by Pope Pius IX just four years prior, in 1854.

Following a rigorous canonical investigation by the local ecclesiastical authorities, Bernadette Soubirous's accounts were meticulously scrutinized. On 18 February 1862, her reports were officially declared "worthy of belief" by the Catholic Church. This pivotal declaration paved the way for the recognition of the Marian apparition as Our Lady of Lourdes, establishing the site as a legitimate place of veneration. Adding to her extraordinary narrative, Bernadette's body has remained remarkably preserved since her death, a phenomenon referred to as "incorruptibility" within Catholic tradition, often regarded as a sign of sanctity.

The site of the apparitions, the Marian shrine at Lourdes (located in what was then Midi-Pyrénées, and since 2016, part of the Occitanie region), has since transformed into one of the most significant and visited pilgrimage destinations globally. Attracting an astounding number of over five million pilgrims annually, it draws individuals from all denominations seeking spiritual solace, healing, and connection. The grotto is particularly renowned for the spring that miraculously emerged during the apparitions, believed by many to possess healing properties.

On 8 December 1933, a date chosen for its Marian significance as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Pius XI solemnly declared Bernadette Soubirous a saint of the Catholic Church. Her feast day, originally observed on 18 February – a date commemorating the promise Mary allegedly made to Bernadette to make her happy, not in this life, but in the next – is now predominantly celebrated in most parts of the world on the anniversary of her death, 16 April.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saint Bernadette of Lourdes

Who was Saint Bernadette Soubirous?

Saint Bernadette Soubirous was a young, impoverished French girl from Lourdes who, in 1858, experienced a series of Marian apparitions, encountering a "young lady" who identified herself as the Immaculate Conception at the Grotto of Massabielle.

What is the significance of the "Immaculate Conception" in relation to Bernadette's apparitions?

The title "Immaculate Conception" used by the apparition was highly significant because Pope Pius IX had formally defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception – stating that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin – only four years prior, in 1854. Bernadette, an uneducated girl, was unlikely to have known this theological term, lending credence to her claims for many believers.

How many apparitions did Bernadette experience at Lourdes?

Bernadette Soubirous experienced a total of eighteen apparitions of the "young lady" at the Grotto of Massabielle between 11 February and 16 July 1858.

What is meant by Bernadette Soubirous's "incorrupt" body?

The term "incorrupt" in this context refers to the remarkable preservation of Bernadette Soubirous's body since her death in 1879, which has defied natural decomposition. Her body, displayed in a glass reliquary at the Convent of Saint-Gildard in Nevers, France, is seen by many Catholics as a miraculous sign of her sanctity, though it has undergone some preparation, including a wax mask for public veneration.

When was Bernadette Soubirous canonized as a saint?

Bernadette Soubirous was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XI on 8 December 1933, becoming Saint Bernadette of Lourdes.

Why is Lourdes a major pilgrimage site?

Lourdes became a major pilgrimage site due to the Church's recognition of the Marian apparitions, the miraculous spring discovered during the apparitions, and numerous reported healings (both physical and spiritual) associated with the site, attracting millions of pilgrims annually seeking faith, solace, and healing.