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.
Once a dazzling light and white figure emerged from the grotto and she 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.
She had a total of 18. Till sixteen visions 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.
News spread around the world and St. Bernadette became famous but she stood firm on 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.
She worked in the monastery as a sacristan; she was praised for her humility and spirit of sacrifice. She died of tuberculosis on April 16, 1879.
Facts
Novena Starts: April 7th
Feast Day: April 16th
Birth: 1844
Death: 1879
Significance of St. Bernadette Novena
St. Bernadette was canonized on December 8, 1933. Her feast day is observed in most places on 16 April.
Read more: Novena for Couples Trying To Conceive
St. Bernadette Novena
Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, you grew up in great poverty. You were born the daughter of a miller, and your family was evicted from the mill while you were still a child. Your father worked odd jobs and your mother did laundry for richer neighbors and other jobs to help support the family. You played a large role in helping to raise your siblings. Bernadette, patron of those in poverty, help me to see you in all those who live in poverty.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, you suffered from physical illness throughout your life. You said, “It is so good, so sweet, and above all, so beneficial to suffer.” Your simple faith helped lead to the healing of so many. But you did not receive physical healing yourself. When you were asked why, your response was, “You see, my business is to be ill.” Grant me your simplicity to understand the value of suffering in my own life.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: St. Therese Novena
Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, you had such a love for the Eucharist. You prepared so hard to make your first Communion even though your catechism class was difficult for you. You said, “The Eucharist bathes the tormented soul in light and love. Then the soul appreciates these words, ‘Come all you who are sick, I will restore your health.’” Give me your heart for the Eucharist.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, you had a beautiful devotion to Our Lady, especially in the most holy Rosary, even before the apparitions. You would have your Rosary with you when you were in the fields as a shepherdess. You said, “In the evening when you go to sleep, hold your beads, doze off reciting them. Do like those babies who go to sleep mumbling ‘Mama! Mama!’’ Help me to approach Mary with the same childlike faith as you.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, many who were closest to you did not believe that what you were seeing was real when you told them about your apparitions. Your sister made fun of you, your mother told you that you were dreaming, your aunt said it was an illusion. Through it all, you remained strong and calm. Bernadette, patron of those insulted for their faith, help me build a strong foundation for my faith that can weather whatever difficulties may come.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: Divine Mercy Chaplet Novena
Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, Our Lady asked you to “pray to God for the conversion of sinners.” You once said, “O Jesus and Mary, let my entire consolation in this world be to love you and to suffer for sinners.” Today, I offer my suffering up for sinners, especially those in most need of God’s mercy.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, you had such perfect obedience. When Our Lady asked you if it would bother you to “get down on your knees and kiss the ground as a penance for sinners,” you responded, “Oh, no! with all my heart.” You dug with your fingers in the mud, drank muddy water, and ate grass as an obedient response to Our Lady’s requests. People thought you were crazy for your actions, but it was through your obedience that at that location, a healing spring now exists. Soften my heart that it may become more immediately obedient to God’s promptings.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, at the young age of 14, you had people questioning you regularly about the apparitions. You stated what happened over and over again as they tried to trick you into speaking inconsistently. You said, “My job is to inform, not convince.” Teach me to speak Truth simply with conviction.
Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O Most Holy Mother of my Jesus, you who saw and felt the extreme desolation of your dear Son, help me in my own time of desolation.
And you saints of Heaven who have passed through this trial, have pity on those who are suffering it now and pray that I be given the grace to be faithful until death.
And in a particular way, dear St. Bernadette, I ask for your intercession for the intentions on my heart
<<insert your prayer request here>>
St. Bernadette, how great your humility! After all the attention you received from the apparitions, you referred to yourself as “the broom placed behind the door after it has been used.” You said, “Those who are humble of heart will be glorified. How beautiful the heavenly crown will be for those who are genuinely humble despite outward humiliations, those who follow the humility of the Savior in every way.” Through your physical trials and difficulty learning, the Lord was your strength.
Teach me true humility that recognizes that the Lord is the source of my strength. Grow, Jesus, grow in me, in my heart, in my spirit, my imagination, my senses, by your modesty, your purity, your humility, your zeal, your love. Grow with your grace, your light, your peace.
Grow despite my resistance, my pride. Grow until you reach the fullness of human perfection. Grow as you did at Nazareth before God and before men, for the glory of your Father.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Recite
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
Read more: How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet?