The Miracle At Lourdes

THE MIRACLE AT LOURDES

Marie-Bernarde Soubirous (now St Bernadette of Lourdes), received eighteen messages (between February 11th 1858 – July 16th 1858) from the Immaculate Conception (Our Lady of Lourdes).

Bernadette’s life began – January 7th, 1844 and ended – April 16th, 1879. Her short life was introduced into great poverty and ill-health soon followed. But a strong will was to remain a dominant characteristic throughout her existence and her steadfast claims of her visions were never distorted.

Her visions began at the grotto of Massabielle, outside Lourdes, when she was fourteen years old. Bernadette, her sister and a friend were sent out into the woods to collect firewood. This would prove to be a time and place Bernadette and the people of Lourdes would remember forever… a glow in a niche in the rock…revealed for the first time – the vision of ‘The Immaculate Conception’ for only Bernadette’s eyes to see.

Bernadette was to see the vision eighteen times in total, where she would receive instruction for prayer and penance.  On the seventeenth visit, the apparition revealed her true identity to Bernadette, as the ’Immaculate Conception’ and told her, she would not find happiness in this life – only in the next.

She was to die twenty–one years later aged thirty-five yrs old after a prolonged, painful illness, whilst she remained hidden at the convent of St. Gildard, 300 miles from her family home. During her illness the convent had given ’Sister Marie Bernard’ (Bernadette) sanctuary from the endless streams of pilgrims, who never ceased to find her.

Whilst many of the ‘Immaculate Conceptions’ words went with Bernadette to her grave, one secret would be shared with the world 30 years after her death…the most incredible ‘incorruptible’.

Bernadette’s remains were removed from the damp grave for examination in the cause of Sainthood. On opening the coffin, a spectacular sight met the eyes of several witnesses (including the Bishop of Nevers)… there lay the perfectly preserved body of Bernadette…without any trace of unpleasant smells (Incorruptible).

She was finally re-buried in a crystal coffin as a true inspiration to all and placed in a chapel at St. Gildard Church for all visitors to see.

The Catholic Church eventually canonized Bernadette as a Saint on December 8th, 1933 and the Feast day of this remarkable woman is on April 16th.

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By J Reynolds (copyright 2009 @ World Mysteries And True Ghost Tales) – all articles are protected by copyright.