Saint Bernadette Soubirous

"I do not promise to make you happy in this life, but in the next."

Bibliography
"Apparitions of St. Bernadette Soubirous." Web. 1 Nov. 2011. <http://www.msmary.edu/grotto/docs/ap paritions_benadette.pdf>. "Biography Bernadette Soubirous - Saint of Lourdes." Biography Online | Biographies of Inspirational and Famous People. Web. 01 Nov. 2011. <http://www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/berna dette-soubirious.html>.

Biography
Saint Bernadette Soubirous was the daughter of a poor miller. She saw visions of Mary and discovered a healing spring from following Marys directions. In her first vision of Mary, Bernadette had gone to collect w river. She had and cousin and had to cross a river. Her sister and cousin said that the water was freezing. Bernadette had asthma and so she did not cross. She sat by herself and then heard a noise. She looked around for a while and then saw a beautiful woman. Bernadette fell to her knees and started praying the rosary. The woman did not say anything, she just smiled. The only thing she said was Gloria with each prayer. Bernadettes family returned and then she crossed the river and it was warm and so she laughed at her sister and cousin, who still said the water was really cold.

Biography Continued
Bernadette told her mother and sister of the vision, but they both thought she was crazy and seeing the devil. Many more visions came, and crowds soon followed. The Lady, which was how Bernadette referred to her, requested that a chapel be built. The priest in charge made Bernadette ask for the Ladys name, but she would not answer. A while later, Bernadette asked again, and the Lady said I am the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette practiced saying this the whole way back to the priest. She was mispronouncing it though. After she told the priest, he asked her if she knew what that meant. She said no. The priest agreed to have the chapel built. A few months after this, Bernadette saw Mary for the last time. One of the most impressive things about this was Bernadettes age during the visions. She hadnt even had her First Communion yet.

Patron Saint of Ill people and of the family & poverty

Legend
Saint Bernadette Soubirous is famous for her visions of Mary in the Grotto. She discovered a healing stream in the Grotto because of Marys direction. She also convinced a priest to listen to Marys wishes and build a chapel in the Grotto.

Miracles
Many miracles have been attributed to the fountain discovered by Bernadette, such as: The healing of a paralyzed boy
This was during Bernadettes visions. The boy was placed in the springs and when taken out, he could walk.

The healing of a blind woman

This woman had been blind since birth and had a shriveled optic nerve. She regained her vision immediately. Her optic nerve was still withered.