SAINT BERNADETTE
In Her Own Words about Our Lady of Lourdes
From a Letter by Saint Bernadette
(edited by Fr. Edlefsen, for brevity)
I had gone down with two other girls to the river Gave when, suddenly, I heard a rustling sound. I turned toward the river’s bank, but the trees were still. Then I saw a cave where I saw a lady wearing a lovely white dress with a bright belt. On top of each of her feet was a pale-yellow rose, the same color as her rosary beads.
I rubbed my eyes, thinking I was seeing things, and I put my hands into my dress’ fold where my rosary was. I wanted to make the Sign of the Cross but, for the life of me, I couldn’t manage, and my hand just fell. Then the lady made the Sign of the Cross. At the second attempt, I managed to do the same though my hands were trembling. I began to say the rosary as the lady’s beads slipped through her fingers, without her moving her lips. When I stopped saying the Hail Mary, she vanished.
I asked my companions if they noticed anything, but they said no. They were curious. I told them I saw a lady wearing a white dress though I didn’t know who she was. I told them not to say anything, and they said I was silly to have anything to do with it. I said they were wrong, and I came back next Sunday, feeling drawn to the place....
The third time I went, the lady spoke to me. She asked me to come every day for fifteen days. She wanted me to tell the priests to build a chapel there. She also told me to drink from the stream. She was not speaking of the Gave, and she indicated a little trickle of water nearby. I found a few drops, mostly mud. I cupped my hands to catch some liquid without success, and I scraped the ground. Only at the fourth attempt was there enough to drink. The lady then vanished, and I went home.
I returned daily for two weeks, and the lady told me to pray for the conversion of sinners. I asked what she meant by that, but she only smiled. Finally, with outstretched arms and eyes looking heavenward, she told me she was the Immaculate Conception.
Categories:
More Stories
IMPROVISATION
Reflections on Love Songs and Love
July 28, 2024
Improvisation Reflections on Love Songs and Love by Fr. Frederick Edlefsen In the fall of 1971, my first-grade teacher asked the class...Read more
ST. ANSELM'S MYSTICAL LIGHT
Reflections from the 12th Century
July 3, 2024
St. Anselm's Medieval Mysticism Spiritual Experiences from the 12th Century My soul, have you found what you are looking for? You were looking...Read more
