Saint of the Month: St. Bernadette and the Power of Humble Faith

Honoring St. Bernadette (Feast Day: April 16)

Each saint teaches us something unique about the Christian journey. St. Bernadette Soubirous, a humble girl from Lourdes, France, was chosen by Our Lady to receive a profound message of faith, prayer, and trust in God’s love. Though poor, uneducated, and often dismissed by others, Bernadette’s faith never wavered. Her story reminds us that God does not choose the most powerful or the most learned—He chooses the humble.

1. The Story of St. Bernadette

In 1858, when Bernadette was just 14, she experienced 18 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a grotto near Lourdes. The Lady, dressed in white with a blue sash, spoke to her with tenderness and asked for three things:

1. Prayer – Our Lady called for prayer, especially the Rosary, as a way to draw closer to Jesus.

2. Penance – She encouraged Bernadette to make small sacrifices as acts of love and reparation.

3. Trust in God’s Plan – Despite doubts and skepticism, Bernadette remained faithful. She obeyed Mary’s instructions even when she did not fully understand them.

   
   

Today, Lourdes is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, known for its miraculous healings and spiritual conversions.

2. Montessori Activities Inspired by St. Bernadette

• Caring for Water – Since Lourdes is known for its healing waters, allow children to engage in water-based practical life activities such as pouring, washing, or even collecting clean water for others, fostering gratitude.

• Simple Living Challenge – Bernadette lived a humble life. Invite children to practice simplicity by preparing a meal with only a few ingredients or focusing on acts of kindness instead of material things.

• Pilgrimage Walk – Create a small “pilgrimage” by walking as a family or class, stopping to pray or reflect at different points.

  
  

3. Faith and Reflection: St. Bernadette’s Lessons for Children

• Create a Prayer Grotto – Set up a special area with a statue or image of Our Lady of Lourdes, flowers, and candles. Encourage children to spend time in quiet prayer.

• Memorize the Hail Mary – Since the Rosary was central to St. Bernadette’s apparitions, take time to pray it together.

• Reflect on St. Bernadette’s Humility – Read her words:

  “O my Mother, to you I sacrifice all other attachments so that my heart may belong entirely to you and to my Jesus.”

  
  

The Resurrection and the life of St. Bernadette both teach us the same lesson: God works through the simple, the humble, and the faithful. By embracing Montessori-inspired activities, we help children internalize these truths in a way that stays with them for life.

As we move through the Easter season and celebrate St. Bernadette’s feast day, may we all grow in faith, simplicity, and love for God.

How does your family live the Easter season and honor St. Bernadette? Share your traditions with us!