On Feb 11th in 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared to a 14-y old St. Bernadette Soubirous, in Lourdes. On Mar 25, when Bernadette asked the Lady Her name, She replied: “I am the Immaculate Conception”
St. Bernadette of Lourdes is the patron saint of illness, poverty, and those ridiculed for their faith. She is also the patron saint of shepherds and shepherdesses, and Lourdes, France.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
St. Bernadette suffered from various illnesses throughout her life, including asthma and later, tuberculosis. Her experiences with illness, both personally and through the miraculous healings attributed to the spring at Lourdes, make her a powerful intercessor for those who are sick.
Poverty:
St. Bernadette was born into a very poor family and lived a life of simplicity even after joining the convent. Her life of poverty resonates with many who struggle with financial hardship.
Ridiculed for Faith:
St. Bernadette faced skepticism and ridicule for her visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Lourdes. This makes her a patron for those who face mockery or persecution for their faith.
Shepherds and Shepherdesses:
The connection to shepherds is fitting as St. Bernadette spent time tending sheep, highlighting her connection to rural life and the virtues of humility and perseverance.
Lourdes, France:
The Marian apparitions that St. Bernadette experienced in Lourdes led to the development of the pilgrimage site and the miraculous cures associated with its waters.