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Initially on February 18th, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Bernadette Soubirous, the visionary of Lourdes, France. Now, if you’re new to Catholicism or just need a refresher, St. Bernadette is the young, unassuming girl who saw the Blessed Mother 18 times in a grotto and somehow managed to stay humble about it. Which, let’s be honest, is wildly impressive. Because if most of us saw Our Lady even once, we’d probably be dropping it into conversation at every opportunity.
But St. Bernadette? She remained steadfastly simple and obedient, even to those who did not believe her story. She didn’t ask for visions, she didn’t seek attention, and she certainly didn’t try to make a name for herself. Instead, she spent the rest of her life in quiet service to God, joining the Sisters of Charity and living in humility, suffering from tuberculosis, and ultimately offering everything up to the Lord.
One of the most astonishing aspects of St. Bernadette’s life isn’t just what happened during her time on earth—but what happened after she left it. When her body was exhumed multiple times (as is sometimes done in the canonization process), it was found to be miraculously incorrupt. That means despite decades in the grave, her body had not decayed like one would expect. In fact, when you visit Nevers, France, you can see St. Bernadette’s body enshrined in a glass reliquary, looking as if she had just fallen asleep in the Lord. While some preservation techniques were used later to maintain the skin's appearance, the incorruptibility of her body remains a profound sign of the holiness she lived and the favor she found with God. It’s a reminder that sainthood is not just an abstract goal—it has real, tangible effects.
Why Is Her Feast Day Important?
St. Bernadette’s feast day is more than just a chance to remember the girl who saw Mary—it’s an opportunity to reflect on her virtues: humility, faith, and perseverance. She reminds us that God doesn’t always call the rich, powerful, or well-educated to fulfill His plans. Sometimes, He calls a sickly miller’s daughter who had minimal formal education and was barely literate.
The story of Lourdes is a powerful one, not just because of the miraculous spring that continues to heal people to this day, but because of Bernadette’s obedience. She did what Our Lady asked—whether it was digging in the dirt to uncover a hidden spring or standing firm in the face of doubters—and she never once made it about herself. Her feast day reminds us to seek holiness in the ordinary, to trust God even when we don’t understand, and to embrace suffering with grace.
Liturgical Living Ideas to Celebrate St. Bernadette
So how can we, as Catholic women, honor St. Bernadette’s feast day in our homes? Here are some fun and meaningful ways to celebrate:
1. Create a Little Lourdes Grotto at Home
If you have a Mary statue in your home or garden, today is the perfect day to give it some extra love. Place flowers around it, light a candle, or even set up a small Lourdes-inspired prayer space. If you have little ones, you can let them decorate a Marian altar with blue and white (Marian colors) and teach them about Bernadette’s story.
I found this one from Homegrown Catholics and I thought it would be really easy to mold a grotto out of Rice Krispies Treats!
2. Drink or Cook with Spring Water
Lourdes is famous for its miraculous healing waters, so incorporating water into your meals today can be a fun way to honor the feast. Maybe start the day with a simple reminder to drink more water or use spring water for making soup or tea. Perhaps refill your Holy Water Fonts with spring water that has been blessed by a priest.
We have these Ceramic Holy Water Fonts for the home that I are absolutely gorgeous and fit perfectly with any decorating style.
3. Make French-Inspired Treats
Since Bernadette was from France, today is a fantastic excuse to make a little French cuisine. Think croissants, baguettes, or even a quiche if you’re feeling fancy. Bonus points if you serve it with a good French cheese and offer up a prayer of gratitude for the gifts of food and family.
I have this Spinach Bacon Quiche recipe that's been family tested and approved! Very tasty!
4. Watch a Movie About Her Life
There are several great films about St. Bernadette, including The Song of Bernadette, which won an Academy Award. While it’s a more dramatic take on her story, it’s still a great way to learn about her life. Grab some popcorn and make it a Catholic movie night!
5. Pray the Rosary (or At Least a Decade)
Since the Rosary played a huge role in the apparitions at Lourdes, today is a wonderful time to commit to praying it. If you’re short on time, even a decade is a great way to honor Our Lady and St. Bernadette’s love for her.
6. Consider Humility and Suffering in Your Daily Musings
Let’s be real—most of us don’t naturally want suffering. We avoid it at all costs. But St. Bernadette teaches us how to embrace it with grace. Take a few moments today to reflect on how you handle difficulties in your life. Do you offer them up? Do you trust that God can bring good from them? Consider writing a prayer asking for Bernadette’s intercession to grow in humility and trust.
Final Thoughts
St. Bernadette’s life is a reminder that God sees us, the little ones. The overlooked. The underestimated. She wasn’t rich, famous, or powerful, yet she was chosen to witness one of the most incredible Marian apparitions in history. Her feast day is an opportunity for us to step back and ask: "Am I living with the same humility and trust?"
So let’s celebrate her today—not just with good food and pretty crafts, but with hearts open to God’s will, no matter how unexpected it may be. And hey, if you want to go full Bernadette and disappear into a convent after this, I won’t stop you. But if not, at least commit to bringing a little more humility, prayer, and trust into your everyday life. Because who knows? Holiness might be just as simple as saying yes—even in the little muddy grottos of our own life.
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