“I wish people would write about the faults of the saints and what they did to correct them; that would help us far more than their miracles and ecstasies.” It is from this famous saying by Bernadette Soubirous that we would like to begin sketching a portrait of her that is, in certain details, unprecedented and reveals all her humanity, which does not deny but rather strengthens her holiness.
On this journey to discover Bernadette’s character after the apparitions at Lourdes, our guide is Father Gianni Toni, a profound expert on Lourdes and the visionary’s life. In reconstructing Bernadette’s biography, he also emphasizes the years following the apparitions and, in particular, focuses on the final period of the visionary’s life (from 1866 to 1879), spent in Nevers in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity, offering us a portrait of her through the testimony of her fellow sisters. Bernadette’s hidden life, Father Gianni states, reinforces the very simple idea that the path to holiness is a journey for everyone and not a lane reserved for a chosen few.
“What beautiful things I saw there”
At first Bernadette was entrusted to Sister Emilienne Duboè, who recalled: “Bernadette was entrusted to me from the moment she arrived at the novitiate, to help her get used to it. What saddened her was no longer being able to see the Grotto of Lourdes. ‘If you only knew,’ she told me, ‘what beautiful things I saw there.’ I was tempted to ask her about it, but she replied that she could not say anything because the novice mistress had forbidden her to. She would tell me: ‘If you only knew how good the Virgin Mary is!’”
The same sister continues her recollections: “One day Bernadette pointed out to me that I was making the sign of the cross incorrectly. I replied that I certainly did not make it as well as she did, since she had learned it from the Virgin Mary. But she answered: ‘You have to pay attention,’ she told me, ‘because it means a great deal to make the sign of the cross properly.’”
“Is that all?”
The response of the woman who would later become a fellow sister of Bernadette, Sister Bernard Dalias, became famous: “I had been in Nevers for three days and was surprised to realize that I did not know Bernadette. The superior who had accompanied me pointed out a small, smiling novice who was standing near her and added: ‘Bernadette? Why, here she is!’ An impertinent expression escaped me and I exclaimed: ‘Is that all?’ She replied: ‘That’s right, miss, that’s all!’ I can say that from then on she showed me great affection.”
“I had no right to such grace”
Madeleine Baunaix recounts that one day Bernadette received a letter from Father Peyramale containing a photograph: «Looking at the photograph, she asked me whether I knew Lourdes. When I answered no, she said to me: “Here, this is a photograph of the basilica,” and with her finger she showed me the Grotto. I asked her: “Where were you when Our Lady appeared to you?”. She simply pointed out the place. I added: “It must be a very sweet memory for you, Sister.” Taking on a grave, almost sad expression, she replied: “Oh, yes! But I had no right to such a grace”».
It is moving to remember how Bernadette, already ill and confined to her infirmary, experienced the day when the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes was crowned. Sister Ambroise Fenasse reported the confidences she received that day: «Sister Ursule spoke to Bernadette about the Grotto: “Would you be happy to see it again?”. “My mission in Lourdes is over. What would I go there for?”. “A solemn celebration is being prepared in Lourdes, and several bishops will be there. Would you not like to attend it?”. “Oh no, I would much rather stay in my little corner in the infirmary than find myself at that celebration, which nevertheless brings me great joy.” She seemed to reflect for a moment, then added: “If I could be carried in a balloon to the Grotto and stay there for a few minutes to pray when no one is there, I would gladly go; but since I would have to travel like everyone else and find myself among the crowd, I prefer to remain here”».
«I am ground down like a grain of wheat»
It is to Sister Leontine Villaret that we owe the memory of those famous words spoken by Bernadette a few hours before she died. This fellow sister said: «I still remember her expression when she told us: “I am ground down like a grain of wheat.” I think she added: “I would never have believed that one had to suffer so much to die”».
Saint Bernadette's final moments closely resemble those of Christ on Golgotha. Mother Natahalie Portat testifies: «A few moments later (around three in the afternoon), the sick woman, with a significant gesture, asks for something to drink, makes a large sign of the cross, takes the flask containing the tonic drink offered to her, drinks a few drops in two sips and, tilting her head back, gently gives her virginal soul to her Creator, while her companions repeat this invocation: “Jesus, Mary, Joseph, have mercy on her, protect her.” Without knowing it, they had fulfilled a wish of Sister Marie Bernarde, who had asked for the grace to die repeating the sweet names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph».
It is April 16, 1879.
Bernadette teaches us the simplicity contained in holiness; let us try to follow in her footsteps!
