|
This is the 3rd part of a
series of questions and answers compiled by Fr. Regis-Marie de La
Teyssonniere, chaplain of the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes to help
us rediscover our patron, St. Bernadette.
Q1: Is it true
that Bernadette was unable to read or write: if so, why?
Bernadette was already 13 year old when she started to learn French
and to read and write. Until then, Bernadette only spoke a local
dialect. As the elder sister, she was put in charge of her younger
brothers and sisters while her parents worked. Her need to work to
support her family coupled with her poor health prevented her from
going to school.
Q2” Why do
we call her “Saint Bernadette”?
Bernadette didn’t become a saint because she
saw the Blessed Virgin but because she lived out the Gospel.
Moreover, Bernadette was very conscious that she had to be “worthy
of heaven”. This meant that she had to put into practice what she
had learnt from the catechism and the Virgin Mary. In fact,
Bernadette didn’t even consider herself a saint. Bernadette was
canonised on 8 Dec 1933. Her feast day is celebrated each year on
Feb 8. |
