Saint Bernadette of Lourdes is famous as the saint who received visions from the Virgin Mary. St. Bernadette was known for her humility, simplicity, common sense and was called “Our Lady’s Little Confidante”.
Saint Bernadette is the Patron saint of those ill, people in poverty, sheep tenders, and people ridiculed for their piety.
Marie-Bernarde Soubirous, the daughter of François Soubirous and Louise Casteròt was born in Lourdes, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Kingdom of France on 7 January 1844.
She was ill right from birth, but even at that young age, Marie Bernadette worked on her own faults and fought to correct them. Her strong, unsophisticated personality was her biggest strength. St. Bernadette was the only one to notice among her sisters and friends.
A dazzling light and white figure emerging from the grotto and referred to her vision as “a small young lady.”
Three days later, Bernadette saw the vision again and returned to the grotto again on February 18. The vision had asked her to return to the grotto each day for a fortnight, and the time the visions appeared was called the “holy fortnight.“
As St. Bernadette was the only one who saw the visions, she was not able to convince the others about these happenings. She was mistaken to be mentally ill and was prohibited from going to the grotto and rather be put in an asylum, but St. Bernadette was determined to go to the grotto.
Her entire times of the visions were 18 in total but she never identified the apparition as the Virgin Mary. The description she gave was: a woman wearing a white veil, a blue girdle, and with a yellow rose on each foot. On her sixteenth vision, the white-veiled woman identified herself as the Virgin Mary.
The message of the visions was focused on prayer and penance and the Virgin Mary asked St. Bernadette to build a small chapel on the site and a procession to be formed. The image of Mary at Lourdes is known as Our Lady of Lourdes.
News spread around the world and St. Bernadette was put in the spotlight but nothing swayed her faith. Later, she went to Nevers, France, and joined the Sisters of Charity. She was given the religious name of Marie-Bernarde from her patron saint St. Bernard.
Her work in the monastery was as a sacristan; she was praised for her humility and spirit of sacrifice. She contracted tuberculosis during her early 30s and died from it on April 16, 1879
Facts
Novena Starts: February 2nd
Feast Day: February 11th
Significance of Our Lady of Lourdes Novena
St. Bernadette was canonized on December 8, 1933.
Read more: St. Anne Novena
Our Lady of Lourdes Novena
Day 1
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 2
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Novena to Our Lady of Fatima
Day 3
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 4
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 5
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Michael Novena For Protection Against Evil
Day 6
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 7
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 8
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 9
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’
A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request.
<<insert your prayer request here>>
Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory. Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will.
Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
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