St Mary Bernard (Bernardette) Soubirous, Virgin
Bernadette Soubirous was born at Lourdes in 1844. Our Lady appeared eighteen times to her in the Grotto of Massabielle, in the beginning of the year 1858 (see February 11, feast of the Apparitions of the B.V.M. at Lourdes) (Collect). On March 25, the Blessed Virgin said to her: "I am the Immaculate Conception" thereby confirming the dogma officially proclaimed by Pius IX in 1854.
Leaving everything to purchase at such a price the kingdom of heaven (Gospel), she entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity at Nevers in 1868. Here she was given the name of Sister Mary Bernard, and died on April 16, 1879, after a hidden life of prayer and penance (Secret). She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on December 8, 1933; in 1936 her feast was ordered to be celebrated by the universal Church eight days after the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Vultum tuum deprecabuntur omnes divites plebis:adducentur regi virgines post eam: proximae ejus adducentur tibi in laetitia et exsultatione * Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea regi.
All the rich among the people shall entreat Thy countenance: after her shall virgins be brought to the King: her neighbours shall be brought to thee in gladness and rejoicing. * My heart hath uttered a good word : I speak my works to the King.
(Psalm 44:13,15-16,2 from the Introit of Mass)
Humilium, Deus, protector et amator, qui famulam tuam Mariam Bernardam Immaculatae Virginis Mariae apparitione et alloquiore creasti: praesta, quaesumus, ut, per simplices fidei semitas, ad tuam in caelis visionem pervenire mereamur.
O God, protector and lover of the humble, who hast bestowed upon thy handmaid Mary Bernard the favour of beholding the Immaculate Virgin Mary and of conversing with her; grant, we beseech Thee, that walking through the simple paths of faith, we may in the end behold Thee in heaven.
The Catholic Encyclopaedia on Lourdes: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09389b.htm
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