Bernadette Soubirous

Bernadette Soubirous was a French peasant girl born in 1844 who, in 1858, reportedly experienced a series of Marian apparitions—visions of the Virgin Mary—in Lourdes. These encounters led to the development of Lourdes as a major site of pilgrimage and healing. Despite initial skepticism, Bernadette's devotion and humility earned her respect, and she was later canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Her experiences played a significant role in spiritual and religious history, inspiring countless believers and emphasizing themes of faith, innocence, and divine intervention.