Sunday February 10th. 2008

The altar and glass coffin containing the incorrupt body of St. Bernadette in the convent chapel, Nevers

On November 18, 1923, the pope pronounced the authenticity of Bernadette's virtues, and the path to canonisation was open. A third and final identification of the body was required. The ceremony took place on April 18, 1925, forty-six years and two days after Bernadette's death. Present were Church and civil representatives and eminent surgeons. This time a full interior examination of her organs was undertaken. Three years later, in 1928, Doctor Comte published his "Report on the Exhumation of the Blessed Bernadette" in the "Bulletin de I' Association Medicale de Notre­Dame de Lourdes". Below is an excerpt from the report:

The surgeon was particularly struck by the state of preservation of the liver:

"What struck me during this examination was the state of perfect preservation of the skeleton, the fibrous tissues of the muscles, of the ligaments and of the skin, the suppleness and the tone of the muscles, and above all the totally unexpected state of the liver after 46 years. One would have thought that this organ, which is basically soft and inclined to crumble, would have decomposed very rapidly or would have hardened to a chalky consistency. Yet when it was cut it was soft and almost normal in consistency. I pointed this out to those present, remarking that this did not seem to be a natural phenomenon.

Bernadette was canonised by Pope Pius Xl on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th, 1933. Her shrine at Nevers has attracted millions of pilgrims over the years, for it is a great privilege to gaze on the face of one who is now in heaven, and while she was on this earth had the privilege of seeing and speaking to the Mother of God.

Bernadette's life of prayer and sacrifice in the convent was offered to lead people to a greater love of Christ.

Those who have been to Lourdes and Nevers always come away with a deeper love of God in their hearts, for this is the effect that Mary and her humble child, Bernadette, have on all pilgrims.

A short excerpt from Pope Benedict's message

for the World Day of Prayer for the Sick

"I wish to encourage and bless the efforts of those who work daily to ensure that the sick, especially the incurably and terminally ill, together with their families, receive adequate and loving care. The Church, following the example of the Good Samaritan, has always shown particular concern for the infirm. Through her individual members and religious orders and institutions, she continues to stand alongside the suffering and to attend the dying, striving to preserve their dignity at these significant moments of human existence. Many such individuals - health care professionals, pastoral agents and volunteers - and institutions throughout the world are tirelessly serving the sick, in hospitals and in palliative care units, on city streets, in housing projects and parishes.

May the Blessed Virgin, our Mother, comfort those who are ill and sustain all who have devoted their lives, as Good Samaritans, to healing the physical and spiritual wounds of those who suffer.

United to each of you in thought and prayer,  I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of strength and peace in the Lord."