Devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes: prayer of 22 June 2019

22. Bernadette in the hospice of Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

At the beginning of 1860 Bernadette's life was always the same: work, study, home, visitors. A private teacher also helps her study. At home she plays her first-born role by contributing to the education of the brothers, guiding the prayers in the morning and in the evening and then she does not fail to receive the ever-increasing number of pilgrims.

Trials, flatteries, harassment, indiscreet zeal! Of course we cannot continue like this! And then, upon the parish priest's interest, Bernadette was accepted as a pupil and poor patient, in the Hospice of Lourdes held by the Sisters of Nevers. Here, entrusted to the nuns, no one can meet her except with the permission of the parish priest and the Superior.

Bernadette's and Bernadette's parents themselves were against separation, but they accept when they are assured that they will be able to see each other without permission whenever they want. Bernadette, accompanied by a nun, will be able to go to her home whenever she wishes. Everything is done for his own good, but Bernadette suffers from it a lot, and understands that his Calvary is starting to get even steeper. On the other hand, he can study more regularly, but, at seventeen, he still cannot write even a short greeting card without making many mistakes! Only in May 1861 would he be able to write the story of the apparitions for the first time, always combining French with many dialectal expressions.

She becomes good at sewing and embroidery, plays, laughs, jokes with everyone, but the asthma crisis does not leave her. Parents are called one night because it is thought that they will not pass it. He also receives the Anointing of the Sick. But then, suddenly, he recovered and testified before the Bishop of Tarbes the wonders he witnessed. Thus, on January 18, 1862 the Bishop signed a pastoral letter in which he stated that "The Immaculate Mary, Mother of God, really appeared to Bernadette".

Meanwhile, the flow of visitors, albeit more regulated, continues. Bernadette confesses that sometimes she is tired of always repeating the same things and that she would like to disappear. He also meets with the sculptor Fabish who is preparing the statue of the Immaculate Conception to be placed in Massabielle. He gives him all the necessary information, but he only takes it into account and thus, of that statue that is still in the cave today, Bernadette says firmly: "No, it's not her!".

Out of obedience she answers the letters of the pilgrims, out of obedience she receives those who want to receive them, out of obedience she does not go to the inauguration of the statue, out of obedience she lets them do what they want. Meanwhile, after much prayer and reflection, he welcomes the news that his request to join the Sisters of Nevers has been accepted. She is convinced that she is good for nothing and that she is accepted only out of pity. Without a dowry, given her poverty, her entry into the Institute considers it a gesture of charity. Yet another detachment, this time definitive. Bernadette feels it strong, but once again she says yes.

- Commitment: We ask Mary for the grace to be able to say yes to what the Lord asks of us, to what she also asks us through others and to live the joy of yes intimately even when it costs us.

- Saint Bernardetta, pray for us.