The Message of Saint Bernadette

Episode 43 October 19, 2022 01:38:06
The Message of Saint Bernadette
Catholic News
The Message of Saint Bernadette

Oct 19 2022 | 01:38:06

/

Show Notes

Every year, millions of pilgrims from around the world visit the foothills of the French Pyrenees to walk in the footsteps of Saint Bernadette at Lourdes. It's one of the world's busiest Catholic pilgrimage sites with around five million pilgrims visiting each year. It's estimated that over 200 million people have visited the Marian shrine and sanctuary since 1860.

Why do they come? It's a common misconception that most pilgrims visit Lourdes to experience a miracle. However, many are searching for strength and guidance in times of difficulty or distress. For many sick pilgrims, Lourdes offers the opportunity to bathe in the healing waters of the spring and to find peace with their prognosis rather than to seek a miraculous cure.

They also come to walk in the footsteps of a poor 14 year old girl, named Bernadette Soubirous, to whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in a series of 18 apparitions at a Grotto on the banks of the river Gave between February and July 1858.

Hers is a remarkable story that led from suffering and surrender to sainthood. We can take solace and draw closer to the Lord and His Blessed Mother through Bernadette's story.

In this audiobook, produced in partnership with the Catholic Truth Society, we listen to the message of St Bernadette - a message that is as clear today as it was in the 19th century.

+++

This book, written by Vernon Johnson, was published by the Catholic Truth Society (CTS). The text was revised and updated by Donal Foley in 2008. You can listen to this audiobook version for free. Read by Pierpaolo Finaldi.

Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes

Other Episodes

Episode 38

June 15, 2022 01:20:55
Episode Cover

Charles de Foucauld

In December 1916, deep in the Sahara, an unknown French hermit was shot through the head and dumped in a ditch. He was 58....

Listen

Episode 27

October 29, 2021 00:05:54
Episode Cover

Pope Francis gives his COP26 Thought for the Day reflection

Pope Francis has given BBC Radio 4 his ‘Thought for the Day’ reflection focussing on the environment and climate change ahead of the COP26...

Listen

Episode 16

February 24, 2021 00:24:19
Episode Cover

Archbishop of Erbil on the historic visit of Pope Francis to Iraq

Our ‘Catholic News’ podcast episodes are coming thick and fast from COVID-19 lockdown and today we’re carrying on from where we left off last...

Listen