History of holiness:

Saint Bernadette Soubirous is a French Catholic religious figure known for having seen apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858 in the town of Lourdes in the Pyrenees. Bernadette Soubirous was born on January 7, 1844 in Lourdes, into a poor family of millers. She was the first of six children. In February 1858, when she was 14 years old, Bernadette was going with her sister and a friend to collect firewood by the river when she saw a lady in a cave. The lady was wearing a white dress, a blue veil, a belt, and yellow roses on her feet. Bernadette was the only one who saw this apparition, which immediately made her suspicious in the eyes of religious and civil authorities. The apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette continued for several weeks. The lady asked her to dig a hole in the ground and drink the water from it, which was later found to have healing properties. The lady also asked Bernadette to build a chapel on the site of the cave. As a result of these apparitions, the Grotto of Massabielle became a major pilgrimage site for Catholics from around the world. Bernadette was repeatedly questioned by religious and civil authorities who sought to discredit her visions. She was also harassed by the media and curious onlookers. However, she remained steadfast in her beliefs and continued to testify to what she had seen. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in 1866. She spent the rest of her life there, working in the infirmary and serving the poor. She died in 1879 at the age of 35 from an illness. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1933. Her feast day is celebrated on April 16.

1.Lourdes in France, a great story, the hope of the sick who suffer from incurable diseases? --- AISN

How was Lourdes water found?

Saint Bernadette Soubirous is a French Catholic religious figure known for having seen apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858 in the town of Lourdes, in the Pyrenees. Bernadette Soubirous was born on January 7, 1844 in Lourdes, into a poor family of millers. She was the first of six children. In February 1858, when she was 14 years old, Bernadette was walking with her sister and a friend by the river to gather firewood when she saw a lady in a grotto. The lady was wearing a white dress, a blue veil, a belt, and yellow roses on her feet. Bernadette was the only one who could see this apparition, which immediately made her suspect in the eyes of religious and civil authorities. The apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette continued for several weeks. The lady asked her to dig a hole in the ground and drink the water there, which later turned out to have healing properties. The lady also asked Bernadette to build a chapel on the site of the grotto. Following these apparitions, the grotto of Massabielle became a major pilgrimage site for Catholics around the world. Bernadette was questioned several times by religious and civil authorities, who sought to discredit her visions. She was also harassed by the media and the curious. However, she remained firm in her convictions and continued to testify to what she had seen. Bernadette joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in 1866. She spent the rest of her life there, working in the infirmary and serving the poor. She died in 1879 at the age of 35 from an illness. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1933. Her feast day is celebrated on April 16th.

How many patients with incurable diseases are cured ?

The sanctuary of Lourdes is a pilgrimage site where believers come to seek physical and spiritual healing. However, it is important to note that the Catholic Church only recognizes a limited number of healings as miraculous and authentic, after a rigorous investigation of the facts. According to official figures from the Medical Bureau of the Sanctuary of Lourdes, since 1858, the date of the first apparition of the Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous, only 70 healings have been recognized as miraculous by the Catholic Church. These healings were confirmed after a rigorous medical investigation and scientific studies. It is important to note that most of the illnesses for which people pray at Lourdes are serious and chronic, considered incurable by medicine. Therefore, miraculous healings at Lourdes are considered rare events. However, for those involved, these healings are very significant and inspiring experiences, which strengthen their faith and hope. It should also be noted that there are many patients who have recovered and sought medical evaluation, but there are 3,000 people who have only registered with the Vatican City, but the medical evaluation committee has stopped functioning because its members are all physicians.

(Click on the photo to see the enlarged photo)

Why has Bernadette Soubirous' body been unaffected for 143 years?

       Bernadette Soubirous died in 1879 at the age of 35. Upon her death, her body was buried in the cemetery of the convent in Nevers, where she had spent most of her life as a nun. In 1909, her body was exhumed and placed in a lead coffin in the chapel of the convent. In 1925, during the exhumation of Bernadette Soubirous' body for her beatification, it was discovered that her body was intact and preserved, despite having been buried for over 46 years. Her body remained fresh, supple, and almost intact. This was considered a miracle by many Catholics, as the phenomenon cannot be explained by modern science. The only explanation given is that she had seen the Virgin Mary. Bernadette Soubirous' body is currently visible in the chapel of the convent in Nevers, where she spent a large part of her life. She was canonized in 1933, in recognition of her piety and example of Christian life.

Transportation of Lourdes

There are several transportation options available to get to Lourdes in France, depending on your starting point and preferences. Here are some of the most common options:

• By plane: Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport (LDE) is located about 10 kilometers from Lourdes. It is served by several airlines, including Ryanair, Air France, and easyJet, and connects Lourdes to several European cities, such as London, Paris, Lisbon, and Rome.

• By train: Lourdes has a railway station that is served by SNCF trains. There are direct trains from Paris, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lyon, and other French and European cities.

• By car: Lourdes is located about 15 kilometers from the A64 highway, which connects Toulouse to Bayonne. There are paid parking lots in the town where you can park your car.

• By bus: Several bus companies offer connections to Lourdes from different cities in France, such as Eurolines, Flixbus, and Ouibus.

Useful numbers :

Hospital (emergencies): 05.62.42.42.42

Red Cross: 05.62.94.13.65

Lyonnaise des Eaux 24-hour technical/emergency services: 05.62.42.34.00 Special rate number: 0 810 824 824

Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Lourdes 05.62.42.78.78

Tourist Office 05.62.42.77.40

Taxis: alliance-taxis-lourdes.com toll-free number 0800 820 052, 05 62 461 461

Taxis: Company Taxis Services Lourdes toll free number 0800 42 08 08, 05 62 42 08 08

SNCF train station. : Sales information (direct line) 08 92 35 35 35 - Special rate number; train info timetables - voice line 08 91 67 68 69 - Baggage service special rate number from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.: 0 825 845 845 Special rate number

Urban bus of the City of Lourdes T.C.V.L. Kiosk: place Monseigneur Laurence 05.62.94.32.96 Offices: 128 avenue Alexandre Marqui 05.62.94.10.78Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees International

Airport: 05.62.32.92.22

La Poste 05.62.42.72.00

Departmental Directorate of Equipment - D.D.E. Inforoute: 05.62.51.41.41 Public audiophone: 0 825 825 065