Marie Bernadette Sobirous was born in 1844, the eldest child in a poor family. Her father worked as a miller in the town of Lourdes in southern France. Bernadette suffered from many illnesses, including chronic asthma, throughout her childhood.
On February 11, 1858, at the age of fourteen, Bernadette was picking flowers along the banks of a river near her home when she saw a lady standing beside a spring of fresh water that had not flowed in years. The lady told Bernadette that she was Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Within a few weeks, Bernadette claimed that the lady visited her on eighteen other occasions. There were many disbelievers--the Church investigated, doctors examined her thoroughly. Adults often followed Bernadette to try to understand this unusual behaviour. They often found her speaking when there appeared to be no one else around. Yet none of these skeptics were able to find anything mentally or physically wrong with Bernadette.
The news of this vision spread across the country. People poured in to Lourdes to see the girl and visit the spot where Mary had appeared. Many visitors claimed to be cured of their ailments. This notoriety, however, made it impossible for Bernadette to lead a normal life--people hounded and harassed her, often asking for blessings or articles of her clothing. This stress, in combination with her chronic illnesses, cut her life drastically short. She died at the age of thirty-five. Many people still visit the spot where Mary appeared to this poverty-stricken child who provided inspiration to thousands during her brief life.
