St. Bernadette Soubirous: 1844-1879 Paperback – January 1, 1957

This book not only captures history but it captures the heart of St. Bernadette. It certainly changed my heart and the way I pray. Thank you Abbe Francois Trochu!

Forgive me, Bernadette, but you captivated my heart a very long time ago, and I said even then, if I were ever to believe, you would be the one to make me believe. And so, here I am, finally, becoming a member of the Catholic church. It's your own fault, you didn't HAVE to be so lovely :)One of the quotes I read recently, in our church Missal, was Bernadette complaining about being shown off like the prize cow at the fair, with all the people trying to get a glimpse of "the visionary," and how she did her best to avoid the attention. And people doing silly things like dropping hats in front of her in the hope she would pick it up, hoping to get a 3rd class relic, to which she retorted for the person to pick it up himself. Another quote from the same article she says her Mother Superior told her her pride would die 15 minutes after she did. And then, from this book, one of the first quotes I glanced up, Bernadette says she is being sold on the street corner for .10cents (referring to holy cards that were being sold at the time) - and that was all she was worth.The more I learn, the more I'm drawn to this blessed saint. I can see no way for this book to disappoint me, except perhaps in leaving me wanting more :)Forgive me, Bernadette. I will do my best to think of you as a mother (you look alot like my mother.) Thank you for bringing me to God. May I one day be blessed to see Mary, the Immaculate Conception, upon the day of my consummation.Be generous to us poor hungry souls :)The book is lovely, and has many black & white photos I had not seen before. I could only wish for a hard-cover version, as paperbacks are too disposable, and Bernadette deserves so much better.

Well written and thorough. This is the story of Bernadette and her life before the apparitions, her accounts and visions, and life afterwards. This also gives varied testimony from many people who either knew her, saw her, spoke with her or interrogated her. She remained the same: pure at heart--no matter who grilled her or fussed over her. This was not one-sided. There were many non-believers and people aching to tear her down or expose her as a fraud. This was a well written book about the unexplainable--the ecstasies--the visions--the power of beings that are greater and higher than humans. It does not ramble on about the laws of religion but rather, the hope and goodness of God and the love of the blessed Virgin Mary. Bernadette warned that Lourdes is 'not a place of magic'--it is not a 'cure all'--but it is a place to bring your faith, hope and prayers. The photos are black-and-white, good and plenty, with a variety of years and people. I was very happy with this book--I visited Lourdes, the churches, the sacred spring and blessed grotto immediately after finishing the book. The book aided in what Lourdes once was, long before modern day took over and souvenir shops lined up. I would recommend it--even to non-believers out there--it's an interesting read and Bernadette's life story is remarkable.

If I could give this more than five stars, I would. I chose St. Bernadette as my Confirmation patron saint. I love her and have an even deeper devotion to her after reading Francois Trochu's biography of this amazing saint. This is the most complete biography of this humble, deeply spiritual, most lovable and saintly visionary of Our Blessed Lady, the Immaculate Conception. This book has helped me to grow even deeper in love with my patron saint, and yet realize that I am so very inadequate in my spiritual life. Thank you so very much for your intense research and very intensive biography of one of the Church's greatest saints. God bless you abundantly.

This biography was written in the 1950s for a religious audience, unlike the more recent work of Therese Taylor and Ruth Harris, who write for a general readership. Father Trochu (I don't know if he was related to the General) set out to write a devotional work. But if you can acclimate yourself to the reverent, somewhat sentimental tone, the author's attention to detail and his gift for narrative make this magisterial biography a classic. He has his facts right, and he tells his story well.The major fault of this book (at least in its English-language edition) is the lack of footnotes. There are citations aplenty in the original French edition, but the translator considered them cumbersome.The reader must also bear with Trochu's occasional reactionary outbursts. For example, he allows himself a paranoid (and historically unjustifiable) swipe at the Freemasons. Trochu tries to explain away Bernadette's shocking approval of the Communards who burned the Tuileries, but his explanation is hogwash. The truth -- which you won't learn from this book -- is that Lourdes used to be a left-leaning town, and many Pyreneans had no love for the government.Those seeking a more modern approach to this material should read Taylor's superb biography. Still,Trochu's book remains the fullest account of Bernadette's life available in English.She really was beautiful, wasn't she?