The message of Our Lady goes beyond the words spoken. It was the apparition itself, the Virgin’s gaze, her bodily movements and posture, also the impact of the message in Bernadette’s life and environment.

Poverty – Chosen by God, Bernadette splendidly demonstrates the happiness of the poor. “I want to stay poor”, she said, when the prospect of wealth was laid out before her.

Prayer and Penance – these two are bound together. It makes us turn to God, which is the meaning of conversion.

“Aquero” – “That” – A presence, A Mother. “Ah, c’est ma Mere!” (Ah! She is my Mother!) Bernadette recommended the rosary to others. “Go to sleep reciting it…like little children who fall asleep saying, ‘Mama.’”

“Not happy in this world…” She had experienced sickness, hunger, family worries, humiliation.

“…But in the next”. Bernadette made an effort to see in her sufferings a pledge and a promise. “One day we’ll go to heaven”

Charity – toward the sick and the poor

God Alone – In all of this, Bernadette was living only one love: the love of God. God was the One from whom she expected everything. “I offer them up to you. Your will be done.”

Bernadette’s whole attitude was the inclusion of all. She loved the whole person and every person in God himself. For her God was Jesus Christ. “Put yourself in the Garden of Olives,” “See yourself like Our Lord on the Cross.”

Can we allow ourselves to be touched by her sanctity and her hidden light, and by doing do so, keep the message alive in our hearts and in our lives?
R. Laurentin, Bernadette Speaks.