Bernadette Soubirous
1844–1879 · French (Lourdes) · 19th Century
Known for: The peasant girl who saw the Virgin Mary in a grotto — Lourdes now receives 6 million pilgrims a year
In 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous reported 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary at a grotto in Lourdes, France. The apparition told her 'I am the Immaculate Conception.' A spring appeared at the site that believers claim has healing properties. Lourdes became one of the world's most visited pilgrimage sites.
Bernadette became a nun, suffered from chronic illness, and died at 35. She was canonized in 1933.
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