St Bernadette of Lourdes

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St Bernadette was born in Lourdes at Boly Mill, France, on January 7, 1844. She was the daughter of Francis and Louise Soubirous and suffered from severe asthma. Bernadette was born into a loving and devoted family. At the time of her birth her family were relatively well-off financially; however, due to a series of misfortunes her family were soon plunged into a terrible poverty. Because of the family's poverty, they were forced to live in a single room that used to be a prison cell. However, despite all this the family were said to be loving and devoted to each other. Bernadette's life changed forever when Mary chose to appear to her. On February 11, 1858, she was collecting firewood with her sister and a friend, when they left her behind to cross an icy stream. Bernadette did not go initially because of her poor health, but was about to take off her stockings to follow when she heard a rustling noise and saw a beautiful young woman in a small opening above the large grotto in the Massabielle rock. This was the first of eighteen apparitions Bernadette would see. On February 18th, she made her way to the grotto for a third time. This was the first time that the lady spoke to her and she asked her do her the favour of coming here to the grotto for the next fortnight. Over that fortnight the visions of Bernadette created an interest within the village of Lourdes. Many 100s of people began to accompany her to the grotto. However, although some believed they were witnessing a miraculous thing, other people in the town were both critical and suspicious. Town elders and the police brought Bernadette several times in for questioning; she even had to have medical testing to prove she didn’t need to go into a mental asylum. On Bernadette’s ninth visit, the Lady asked her to drink from the spring. But Bernadette couldn’t see one so she dug up a hole in the
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