Bernadette's Example to Us

The Story of Our Lady of Lourdes is such a beautiful one, not only because Mary appeared to St. Bernadette, but also because of Bernadette's example to all of us!

Did you know that Mary told Bernadette three secrets?  She was faithful and kept her promise to Our Lady.  Everyone tried to guess what the secrets were, but all Bernadette would say was that the secrets were for her alone.

The message of the apparition were to pray for sinners, do penance, and to enable the people to come to Jesus in procession.  We do this every time we approach Jesus in the Eucharist.  The question remains, though, can we be as devout and faithful as Bernadette?  Can we give our lives to do what Jesus and Mary ask us to do?  Are we "Catholic" only on Sunday?  Bernadette gave everything to God.  After a child made their First Communion, if they were poor, they were expected to find work.  They were not able to pay for further education.  When Bernadette was asked what she wanted to do, her reply was that she wished to be a nun.  People thought she might change her mind, but Bernadette was firm in her decision.

Bernadette - Continued

Getting back to our story of Lourdes and Bernadette in 1858, with the drawing to the close of the apparitions, the Grotto was in a state of flux.

Many visionaries cropped up and were proven false.  Perhaps this was permitted so that they could be compared to Bernadette, and then it would quickly point out the difference between the two.

Bernadette herself finally made her First Holy Communion on June 3, 1858.  It was said that it took her a long time to prepare for this event because she had difficulty learning her catechism.  But just think - this was the person whom God chose to receive his Mother here on earth!

The final vision occurred on July 16th, the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  Bernadette tried to resume her life as it was before the apparitions.  She sought no attention, but she was in the middle of it because of all the visions to Lourdes seeking cures.  Bernadette's focus was upon Mary's main message - prayer and penance.  Mary's message to Bernadette is as relevant today as it was in 1858.  It is up to us to live this message in our own lives.  It wasn't glamorous then and it isn't now, but then Bernadette wasn't chosen for her glamor.  God Bless us all!

Bernadette - 8th Apparition - Penance

Last month we spoke about how Mary slowly prepared St. Bernadette by interior change begun by prayer.  This month, we will address the beginning of Bernadette's public mission given to her at the 8th apparition.


During this apparition, Bernadette's face showed many expressions.  She would look like she was extremely happy at one moment and extremely sad at the next.  When she came out of her ecstasy, she could be heard saying the words: "Penance, Penance, Penance."

In fact, Mary had told her to do Penance for sinners in the world and later that would be the instruction for all of us.  It was Lent when Mary began these visits to Bernadette, just like it is Lent now today.



What Penance have we offered up for sinners?

We too are sinners.  How do we try to make reparation with the Lord for our sins?




Confession is the most obvious way.





Prayer, fasting, and alms giving are what the Church advises us to do anyway.  Mary has a way of reminding us of the good things that we need to do.  Mary takes things one step further, in the 9th apparition, which will be discussed next month.