Ode to Bernadette

It didn't take long in 1858 for the apparitions in France to arouse strong emotions in people around the world, many of which were not of the visionary's faith. The unique child of fourteen, Bernadette Soubirous, possessed an astonishingly simple nature. So it was no surprise that she was immediately mocked and branded stupid. But the celestial visitor was enthralled with her. They laughed together. They cried together. And the Lady, all dressed in white, took Bernadette into her confidence, completely aware that she could accomplish the duties entrusted to her.

The Lady asked Bernadette to drink from the spring. There was no spring. But she saw a damp patch of earth, and there she dug as a spring emerged. She told Bernadette to ask the priest to build a chapel on the site of their visits. She was to tell him to allow the people to come in procession and "let the people come to the waters." The fourteen-year-old was terrified of the temperamental priest; he was stern and unfriendly. But she obeyed. It was at this point that elected civil authorities, church authorities, and the local police changed the life of Bernadette and her family forever. Even the village of Lourdes, France, was forever new.

Bernadette, for making up such a ridiculous story, was interrogated and threatened with prison and even a mental asylum. But not once did she alter her stance. The Lady told her that she could not promise happiness in this life, only in the next. In the end, it was decided that Bernadette was not a liar nor mentally deranged. And today, more than 160 years after the beautiful Lady asked for the spring, the chapel, and the processions, five million annual pilgrims journey to Lourdes--many pilgrims of many faiths. And some even arrive with no faith. But they all continue to come, hoping to find peace of mind, heart, body, and soul. For all of the blessings that have stemmed from Lourdes over the years, let us all enjoy as we sing together the Ode to Bernadette!