Prayer to Saint Bernadette
O humble Saint Bernadette, chosen by God to be the favored confidante of the Immaculate Virgin, thou who didst behold her beauty and receive her messages of penance and of hope; look with pity upon us, thy devoted servants, who implore thy powerful intercession.
Thou who didst endure with patience the scorn of the proud, the doubts of the prudent, and the harshness of the severe, obtain for us the grace of a simple and trusting faith. Teach us to cherish the poverty of spirit, that we may be rich in the eyes of God. Teach us to seek the hidden life of prayer and sacrifice, that we may atone for our sins and for the sins of the world.
O faithful messenger of Mary, who didst bring forth to the world a spring of healing water, ask for us the grace of purity of heart, that our souls may be cleansed from every stain. Be our guide in the pilgrimage of this life, our strength in trial, and our comfort in affliction. As thou didst suffer greatly in thy body, obtain for all the sick the grace of patience and resignation to God’s holy will.
Intercede for us, O blessed seer of Lourdes, that, by imitating thy virtues, we may one day be worthy to see our heavenly Mother, with thee, in the glory of paradise.
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be…
Invocations to Saint Bernadette
Saint Bernadette, child of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, faithful in little things, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, lover of the Cross, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, comfort of the afflicted, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, whose heart was pure and simple, pray for us.
Let us pray.
O God, who didst vouchsafe to call the humble maiden Bernadette to behold Thy immaculate Mother in the grotto of Lourdes, and didst make her a messenger of prayer and penance; grant, we beseech Thee, through her merits and intercession, that we may walk in simplicity of heart and be found worthy to attain unto the joys of everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) was a poor and unlettered shepherdess from Lourdes, France. In 1858, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her eighteen times in the grotto of Massabielle. During these apparitions, Our Lady revealed herself as the ‘Immaculate Conception’ and called for prayer and penance for the conversion of sinners. Despite intense scrutiny and disbelief, Bernadette remained steadfast in her testimony. She later entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers, where she lived a hidden life of prayer and service, bearing great physical suffering with heroic patience. Devotion to Saint Bernadette centers on her profound humility, simplicity of faith, and her role as the chosen instrument of Our Lady of Lourdes.