St. Bernadette: My own Patron Saint

In the four years I have been doing All Saints Month, I cannot believe that I have not written about St. Bernadette.  For those who know me, you are probably sick of me talking about Bernadette.  I can’t help it.   I love her, and now I’m going to tell you why.  

First some context.  I spent my second day in Europe in the small town of Nevers, France, and then travelled to Lourdes.  In Nevers, St. Bernadette spent the entire latter part of her life in this town as a Sister of Charity, and it is in the convent of the Sisters that she died.  During my time in Nevers I stayed at the convent where St. Bernadette lived, and saw the incorrupt body of Bernadette.  Was I being a fangirl while seeing all of this?  Yes.  Very much so.  

Why is Bernadette my favorite saint?  Well, several reasons.  But first, some basics about Bernadette.  She was a poor peasant girl living in Lourdes, France, when our blessed mother, the Virgin Mary, appeared to her in a grotto.  Bernadette prayed the rosary with Mary and eventually started doing this regularly.  Mary appeared to Bernadette a total of 18 times.  In that Grotto, Mary told Bernadette to dig a spring, which still flows today and is a site where many people come to for healing (yes, I did get to see that.  It’s awesome).  During one of these visits, Mary also told Bernadette “I am the Immaculate Conception”.  If you want more info, check out this website:  http://en.lourdes-france.org/deepen/bernadette-soubirous

Bernadette is my favorite saint for several reasons, first of foremost, she was the one who chose me.  I took Bernadette as my confirmation name without knowing too much about her.  But throughout the next several years, I kept noticing St. Bernadette appearing in random places in my life, so I started to get to know her.  I love her for her obedience to the Virgin Mary, being willing to do whatever she said, without question, even if everyone around Bernadette thought she was crazy.  Bernadette also had a great personality, with some stubbornness.  She was an ordinary peasant girl that Mary chose to appear to, and Bernadette kept that spirit of Mary throughout her life as a sister.  A final thing about Bernadette, she suffered a lot through her life through physical illness, but was joyful throughout the suffering.  She found comfort in the cross of Christ and knew that her suffering was not in vain, rather, it was part of God’s plan for her.    

I admit, I have read and learned about everything there is to know about Bernadette.  Visiting Nevers and Lourdes, I got to see what I already learned.  But as much as I know about Bernadette, I realized during this trip that I can never fully grasp what she was like.  I can know facts and quotes from her, but the only way to really know her is through meeting her, and I will have to wait to Heaven to do that.  I can’t wait.  

You finally have a very brief reflection on my favorite Saint.  What is yours?  Why?   Something to think about.