Today is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous 18 times, the first time on February 11, 1858. It had to have been cold that day in the Pyrenees mountains and Bernadette “heard something in the wind” that made her want to cross the river to the grotto, where Mary appeared to her for the first time. She had no idea what was to come, or what it would mean for her future. Divine encounters are often unexpected yet achingly beautiful experiences.
The first time I visited Lourdes was in July of 2003. I had been attending a program in Avignon and Lourdes was on my travel list. I stayed for three days and thought that I had “done it all”. What I did not know at that moment was how St. Bernadette would not only become one of my favorite saints, but people as well.
My next encounter with St. Bernadette was in the summer of 2008. I had accompanied students to France and I needed something to do, so I ended up at a week long silent retreat house at St. Gildard in Nevers, France. It’s the mother house of the Sisters of Charity, where St. Bernadette lived her time as a nun.
That experience sealed the deal for me. Walking the halls and gardens she walked, praying by her favorite statue, quiet moments in the chapel with her. The very last night we were there, we gathered around her glass casket, touching it, and prayed together. It’s a moment I can’t describe to you now, one that transcends space and time.
I came to know her better the next year when I volunteered at the convent and was asked to give the walk – In the steps of Bernadette to groups of English speakers. It’s a spiritual walk, that takes you through major moments of her life on the grounds. It was quite a humbling experience to guide people through that.
Mary’s apparitions changed her life for sure, and my encounters with Bernadette, changed mine. She truly lived in the moment, had a sassy and a bit of a rebellious streak, loved to eat raspberries, and lived a life of prayer.
Bernadette took comfort in what Mary told her. I take comfort and gain wisdom from St. Bernadette’s words and life. It’s possible to make my little corner of the world a better place. My challenge to you this week is to find a saint (or a person) that you admire and learn about their life. What you learn may just bring you closer to understanding them and yourself a bit more. Happy discovering!
You definitely light up your corner.
Aahhh, the topic of saints comes up again.
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing about St. Bernadette. I like the idea of having a favorite saint (or 2 😆), learning from them and humbly asking for their help.
In the meantime, I say we learn to be mindful of the holy places and holy people in our daily lives.