St. Bernadette, Patron Saint of the Sick, Feast Day: April 16

On March 25, 1858, Bernadette asked the beautiful Lady who had been appearing to her at a grotto in Lourdes, France, “Would you kindly tell me who you are?” The Lady replied, “I am the Immaculate Conception. I want a chapel here.” Many people made fun of Bernadette and did not believe in the apparitions. She was laughed at and humiliated. She knew that the Lady was truly the Blessed Mother, and her accounts at the grotto never varied. Once Bernadette entered the convent, she was to speak of her apparitions only once. It was a rule that after that she could never mention them again. Although the novice-mistress was very severe with Bernadette and made sure little attention was given to her, she met all tests with humility. She was tortured by physical and interior sufferings but never revealed her feelings to anyone. In the end her humility was perfect and beautiful. Her last words were: “Holy Mother of God, pray for me, a poor sinner, a poor sinner.”