Original subtitles

"God speaks to the heart without the noise of words."

Bernadette said, "l fear nothing, because I've always told the truth."

To this truth we've been faithful,

the truth of people and places,

the truth of words and deeds, the truth of souls.

Nothing but the truth, even when it seems improbable.

The grotto of Massabielle had changed in 8 years,

since that day

when the Lady in white with the blue sash first appeared.

Bernadette was now 22.

She didn't recognise the grotto.

All she wanted to do

was flee the curious crowds and take refuge in the convent.

Will you come and see us?

Neven

Bernadette never would return to Lourdes.

Early on 4th July,

Bernadette went to Tarbes to catch the train for Nevers,

via Bordeaux and Périgueux.

THE PASSION OF BERNADETTE

Holy Virgin, I never thought it would be so hard.

Bernadette, are you thirsty?

Thank you, Mother.

Now is not the time to falter, my child.

- We're nearly there. - Yes.

- Marie, are you thirsty? - No, Mother.

- And you, Sister? - No, thank you.

Forgive me, Lord, for being so weak.

But I fear I lack the strength.

Nevers! End of the line!

Everybody off!

Léontine, help the man with your trunk.

Yes, Mother.

Marie, your umbrella.

- Bernadette, are you dreaming? - No, Mother.

Mother General is ill. Mother Mistress will welcome you.

I've let her know.

Children, you are going to meet Mother Marie-Thérése Vauzou,

the Superior of the novitiate.

You will be seeing a lot of her.

Try to be a credit to our teaching.

Hello, Sisters, did you have a good journey?

Rather long, but excellent.

I had never been on the railway. It's miraculous.

- You youngsters aren't too tired? - No, Mother.

Sister, this is Léontine Mourret.

She's only 17, but she studied hard at the hospice in Lourdes.

Marie de Banniére is 24.

She had a troubled home life but is still a good postulant.

Bernadette Soubirous is a long way behind.

She's 22, but can onlyjust read and write.

She took first communion at 15

but since then has found class-work difficult.

You'll have trouble with her.

Luckily, Bernadette has great willpower.

She grasps things quickly.

Sister Cloris will show you to the refectory for your supper.

Then these children will spend the night in Sainte-Marie dormitory.

Tomorrow, they will be given their postulant habits.

Are you the one from Lourdes?

Yes, Mother. Léontine Mourret, too.

What can you do?

Not very much.

Tomorrow, if you're not too tired,

you can help with the washing-up.

Thank you, Mother!

Do you know what time it is, lazybones?

Six!

In the evening?

In the morning, silly!

Dominiquette.

Dominiquette Touré!

Remember the grotto where we prayed?

- And you became a nun. - Thanks to you. I'm still a novice.

Dominiquette Touré!

I'm Sister Philoméne here.

We're woken at 5, and mass is at 6.15.

Come on, get UP!

Don't worry. On your first day, you get an extra hour in bed.

Welcome, my children.

- Did you sleep well? - Yes.

I hope you've recovered from the journey, because tomorrow

you'll be following the Rule.

Sisters Emilienne and Philoméne will instruct you.

I've chosen them because they're both Pyrenean.

They'll be your guardian angels for a week.

Listen to them and do as they say.

At 7.10 you'll eat breakfast in the refectory.

In the meantime, you can do your ablutions.

- Is that clear? - Yes, Mother.

I nearly forgot... After lunch today,

come to the novitiate room, where Bernadette Soubirous...

ls that you?

Yes, Mother.

Where Bernadette will tell us about her apparitions.

AQGin?

Don't worry. lt will be the first and last time.

Would you all calm down, please.

Sisters, I made you a promise.

It's the moment you've been waiting for.

Bernadette Soubirous will tell you the tale of her apparitions,

which, as a special favour of heaven,

were granted to her alone.

Once her story is told, that will be the end of it.

You must solemnly pledge never to mention it,

even among yourselves.

On your conscience be it.

Now open your eyes and ears...

Bernadette, my child, would you please stand,

so that everyone can see and hear you.

Step forward.

We know that on 11th February 1858,

while collecting wood for the family health,

Bernadette saw, in the grotto of Massabielle,

a Lady in white with a blue sash,

and a yellow rose on each foot.

How did you know it was the Holy Virgin?

Well, that's just it. I didn't.

So when did you know that it was the Holy Virgin?

May the certainty of having seen Our Lady give you strength.

But without filling you with pride.

I had no right to this grace.

Come closer, Sister Dosithée.

You are welcome among us.

Sister Dosithée is very old.

She cannot see, but can hear a little if you speak up.

I'll repeat my question.

When did Bernadette know that the Lady

was the Holy Virgin?

One day, the priest told me to ask her name.

I did, and she replied,

"Que soy era lmmaculata Councepcio."

"l am the Immaculate Conception."

How marvellous!

She spoke patois?

Like me. I understood everything she said.

How did you call the Holy Virgin when you didn't know

who she was?

I didn't call her. She came when it pleased her.

At first, when I spoke about her,

I called her Aquiro.

It's patois for "that".

I didn't know her name. Where's the harm in that?

There is no harm.

She spoke to me just like one person speaks to another.

And always very politely.

On the third day, I remember,

she said,

"Would you grace me with your presence here for two weeks?"

She said, "Would you grace me?"

No one had ever spoken to me like that before.

I so looked forward to seeing her.

Even when she said I wouldn't be happy in this world.

What's that?

I looked forward to seeing her.

I can understand that.

Everyone wanted to stop me going back.

My father, my mother,

the priest, the police,

even the prosecutor...

So I thought,

"Either I disobey everyone,

"or I disobey Aquiro." And I made my decision.

She was never sad.

Except once, when she asked me to pray for the sinners.

She put her hands together, closed her eyes

and said,

"Kiss the earth in penitence for the sinners."

I did it, of course.

Aunt Lucie fainted when she saw me do it!

Apparently, on 1st March, at the time of the 10th apparition,

the first miracle took place.

Can you tell us about it?

I never saw any miracle.

And yet I read

that you cured a blind woman by laying on your hands.

I didn't do anything to make it happen.

Have you seen Bernadette?

No, Mother.

Isn't Bernadette with you?

She's at the grotto, Mother.

Tell her it's recreation time, not prayer time.

There's a time for everything.

Sister Director sent me to tell you to follow the Rule.

We have two hours of recreation,

from noon to 1 p.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m.

Remind you of anyone?

It's not too ugly, but it's not right.

It's Our Lady of the Spring.

When the artist sees the real one in heaven, he'll not be so proud.

You have snuff?

The doctor gave me some for my asthma.

Do we skip during recreation?

No, we have lots of fun but there's no skipping.

A pity. I like holding the rope for others to skip over.

Mesdemoiselles...

I praise the Lord

for the vocation he has put in your hearts.

You will be given new names

to remind you that you are separated from the world,

and belong to Jesus Christ

as his brides.

Sister Marie-Bernard.

May the Lord welcome you into your new order,

which was created according to God,

in the rightness and holiness of the truth.

You will understand

why we fear the sin of pride may take hold of Marie-Bernard.

This is why we have refused all visitors

who come without good reason.

But how could we be so cruel as to deny our illustrious guests

the chance to meet our visionary.

We hear she is charmingly modest.

That is true, Monsignor.

She is without affectation.

I came here to retire from the world.

I was promised that in the convent I'd be left alone.

Think about it.

Monsignor de Mérode is the Pope's own confessor!

The Pope?

He can't sin much!

There's also Monsignor de Marguery, who came especially

to see you take your new habit...

The Count and Countess de Churigny, our benefactors,

asked to be remembered in your prayers.

I need praying for, too!

If they pray for me, I'll pray for them.

I must remind you that, upon receiving your habit,

you made a vow of obedience. Please do not forget that.

Your cowl is too far forward.

It's my little chapel. I feel more at home like this.

Don't forget that our founding saint

made obedience an absolute rule.

You talk and talk...

I'm all alone with the good Lord.

He understands me.

These poor bishops would be better off staying at home.

You're right, Mother.

I am too proud.

But now that I am here,

I will try to correct that.

That's good, my child.

Would you like to see your grotto again?

It is no longer my grotto.

My mission in Lourdes is over.

What would I do there?

I am like everyone else now.

Do you not fear you will forget your apparitions?

Forget them?

No, Monsignor, they are still with me.

Did the Virgin smile at you?

Several times.

And even, one day,

she laughed.

I asked her, on behalf of the priest,

to make the wild rosebush in the grotto flower.

In February!

She laughed without saying a word.

I thought,

"l see her there, before me.

"L have no need of proof."

Sister.

In this envelope is 100 francs,

which we wish to donate

to Our Lady of Lourdes.

Could you pass it on to the priest?

- We would like you to touch it. - Why?

My husband and I believe

that you will give

inestimable value to this donation.

I can neither accept nor pass on this money.

Very well, my child, you may go.

So the Lady in white said,

"Go and tell the priest to come here in procession

"and build a chapel."

I went and told the priest,

who got angry.

"A chapel?" he said.

"Have you got the money for that?"

I replied, "No, Father.

"L don't have a penny."

Do you know what he said?

"Neither do l!"

What a great start!

My little brother saw a lady in white.

Not all ladies in white are the Holy Virgin.

She was flying. Did yours fly?

No, not at all.

She had a rose on each foot?

A lovely yellow rose, yes.

How did they stay on?

Miraculously.

- Are there any cobblers in heaven? - There's one: my dad!

He used to beat your mum, he's in hell!

I've never heard them laugh so.

Something has changed with our little orphans.

Something always changes

when Sister Marie-Bernard is around.

Your novices will be dispersed throughout France.

Perhaps you could assign Marie-Bernard to our orphanage.

That should please her.

Probably, Sister.

Marie-Bernard's true vocation is charity.

Perhaps here

is where she can best practise it.

Look.

It's nothing.

I have a cold.

The next time,

I'll ask the Holy Virgin for a cough syrup!

You see why I cannot let you have Sister Marie-Bernard.

Thank you, my child.

Our orphans will cherish a lovely memory of you.

Come back to see us often.

I shall pray to the Holy Virgin

to protect you all.

But you don't know our names.

The Holy Virgin does.

My dear child,

I know you wished to come here.

I would have liked to grant your wish...

I know, Mother.

I'd have liked to devote myself to those children.

I haven't enough education to be a teacher,

but I could have kept them amused.

The good Lord has decided otherwise.

I must accept

what he gives me.

I know what you're going through.

For ten years I've been suffering from the same ailment.

I know I'm not long for this world.

Pull up your nightdress.

Leave it there for 4 hours. It'll pinch, but put up with it.

Don't worry, I'm like a cat:

- I bounce back. - Get some rest.

Try to keep it on as long as possible.

Good training for saintliness!

Annette Basset fell ill the day after she arrived.

This time she's being sent back to her parents.

We can't keep you here, my child.

She won't come over here.

It's as ifl scare her.

After all, I'm ill, too!

Mother, I beg you!

Come and talk to me.

I love you.

Iam your child, too.

There, what did I say?

Not a word or a glance...

What have I done to her?

Come on, you lazy layabout!

I'm hard at work.

Doing what?

Being ill.

Do you mind doing me a small favour?

No, Sister, not at all.

Do you know Annette Basset, the postulant over there?

- Yes, Sister. - She's very upset.

Mother General and the doctor have agreed to send her home.

She's desperate.

Could you console her?

I shall try.

Mother Superior will one day come and kiss you.

She's dying to.

It's not asking too much.

The good Lord pays no attention when one asks for oneself.

Don't cry, Mademoiselle.

The good Lord wants you to be a nun,

so you will be.

But the doctor said I'm too ill to stay here.

Where are you from?

Gouttiére, in the Puy-de-Déme.

You will be a nun in another convent.

The doctor is wrong.

You will live for many years yet.

You will die one Sunday in a small poor convent.

Sister, why aren't you in bed?

I'm visiting my flock!

Ladies and gentlemen.

Sister Marie-Bernard is ill

in the infirmary. You cannot see her.

You're wasting your time.

Open the chapel!

No.

The convent needs peace and quiet.

Go away.

How do we make them understand

that she's not a fairground attraction?

Should we resist the inevitable crowds?

Shouldn't we accept them as a gift from heaven?

Marie-Bernard is not a saint,

just an ordinary nun. You said so yourself.

And yet, in her expression is everything we love:

simplicity,

innocence

and oneness with God.

A Bernadette of the theatre!

There's not a hint of vanity in this photograph.

I get a feeling of sadness from it.

There she is, Bernadette,

waiting for something...

something she came here to find, perhaps.

What's bothering you?

- The same thing as you. - The apparitions?

Oh, yes.

The apparitions.

I'm well aware of the child's qualities,

and everything urges me to treat her with affection and respect,

but... I can't help it,

I don't believe in apparitions.

Let's not forget that her visions

have been given the Church's seal of approval.

For you, Mother.

The rest are for Marie-Bernard.

175 letters.

17 more than yesterday.

She can't read them in her state.

I don't agree.

She said, "l can't read them all,

"but the hope they express is important."

Marie-Bernard needs to learn how to be ignored.

Our Mother Director isn't too keen on this Lourdes business.

If the Holy Virgin were to appear on earth,

why would she choose a coarse, ignorant peasant girl,

rather than a virtuous nun?

You'd have found Joan of Arc ill-mannered.

I received this letter from Annette Basset.

You know, the sick postulant we had to send home.

She couldn't be happier.

She's just entered the convent of St Joseph de Cluny.

She says,

"Tell Sister Marie-Bernard that her prediction came true.

"L am a nun in a small poor convent.

"My name is now Sister Bertille."

She won't last the night.

Thursday 25th October 1866.

Barely four months after entering the convent,

Bernadette was on the point of death.

Sorry to disturb you, Monsignor.

Sister Marie-Bernard is in a bad way.

We want her to be professed before she dies.

For that, as you know,

your permission is indispensable.

I will be honoured to receive Marie-Bernard's profession myself.

Where is she?

In the infirmary.

Sister Lucie will show you the way.

You are dying, my dear child.

And I was told you wish to be professed.

I am here for that purpose.

You will officially be given the title

of Bride of Christ.

The words...

I won't have the strength...

to say...

the words.

That's no problem.

I shall say them for you,

and you need simply answer,

"S0 be it."

"l, Sister Marie-Bernard Soubirous,

"promise God to uphold the vows of poverty,

"chastity, obedience and charity,

"as they are laid out in the book of the Rule."

So be it.

Sister Marie-Bernard,

don't forget me in your prayers when you are in heaven.

I won't forget

anyone.

Shall I stay till the end?

No, Father. I'll close her eyes.

You won't have long to wait.

You had me professed

because you thought I was dying.

Well,

I won't die tonight.

What?

You won't die tonight and now you tell me?

We disturbed the Monsignor at that unearthly hour!

You silly little thing!

Listen to me.

If you're still alive tomorrow,

I shall take that cowl off you

and make you a novice once more.

As you wish, dear Mother.

I don't believe it!

You're alive.

How did you do it?

The good Lord didn't want me.

I went right to the gates

but He said,

"lt's too early.

"You can go back."

She's still very weak.

In groups of eight, and only for five minutes.

- How are you? - Better, thanks.

The good Lord didn't want me.

Praise God!

So you're cured?

I'm too bad to go to heaven!

What a trick to play!

We made nine novenas for you to get better.

And here's the result.

A professed nun!

You're alive, it doesn't count.

But I have the cowl.

And I'm holding onto it.

I'm part of the congregation

and no one can send me away now.

At the windmill, Louise Soubirous,

Bernadette's mother, was dying.

Bless me, Mother...

Come in.

I wasn't a professed nun for long.

You never were.

A return to health nullifies an "in articulo mortis" profession.

But if I'd died, I'd be professed?

Indeed.

I liked the cowl.

A muslin cowl does not guarantee you a place in heaven.

The path that leads there is narrow,

hard and very difficult to climb.

You will be given the cowl again when you have deserved it.

Now is the time for ordeals,

Sister Marie-Bernard.

Don't go too quickly for me.

Now we will be able to have a go at you!

I hope you do so gently.

One year later

What do you ask, my girl?

Declare your intention before this assembly.

Monsignor, I beseech you to allow me

to make my profession of faith

as a Sister of Charity

and Christian instruction.

Is it in good faith and for the greater glory of God,

without any human consideration,

that you wish to take this step?

Yes, Monsignor.

I have no desire but to accomplish what God asks of me.

May God,

who has given you this goodwill, accord you the grace

to persevere.

So be it.

Sister Angélique Camot,

you are assigned to the institute of the deaf in Bordeaux.

You leave tomorrow.

Sister Camille Larrotis,

you are assigned to our community in Mirande, in the Gers.

You leave the day after tomorrow.

Sister Charles Ramillon,

you will go, tomorrow, after mass,

to our convent in Seigneley,

in the Yonne.

Why has Sister Marie-Bernard not been called?

Does she have no letter of obedience?

It's impossible, Monsignor.

She's a silly good-for-nothing.

She'd be a burden wherever we sent her.

Sister Marie-Bernard...

ls this true, my child?

Are you a good-for-nothing?

It is true, Monsignor.

But, my poor child,

what are we to do with you?

Iwarned you, in Lourdes,

when you wanted me to join your community.

You said it didn't matter.

If you wish, Monsignor,

we could keep her out of charity,

and put her to work in some way in the infirmary,

cleaning

or making tea.

As she is always ill,

it will be perfect.

What do you think, Sister Marie-Bernard?

I shall try, Monsignor.

So, Sister Marie-Bernard, we won't send you anywhere.

I set you the task of prayer.

How much would you like to earn

My charming shepherd girl

How much would you like to earn

For looking after the sheep?

Is that a song of your area?

Songs don't stay in one place.

I brought it here. It's about my area.

Do you miss it?

I'm more certain of going to heaven here.

If it's too much, kind sir

I shall make do

With my clogs...

Do it all to be worthy of heaven,

suffer it all for the glory of God.

His will be done.

You will never be canonised.

Why?

Because you take snuff.

Saint Vincent de Paul nearly lost his halo for that.

Don't you take snuff?

- What an idea! - You'll be canonised, then.

"One day, our Lord appeared to Saint Theresa

"in the form of a small child bathed in light."

Sister Marie-Bernard!

Professed you may be,

but you have trouble with the novices' lessons

and even arrive late!

Sorry, Mother.

My work delayed me.

What work?

Cleaning the toilets.

Carry on, Sister Stanislas.

Listen, Sister Marie-Bernard, and learn.

"When she saw the Jesus child,

"Saint Theresa had but one wish:

"to take him in her arms and delight in him.

"But at that moment the monastery clock

"started to toll, calling the nuns to prayer.

"So, without hesitating,

"she placed the child on the ground

"and went to prayer..."

It's only a legend,

like most accounts of apparitions.

But it's a good example of religious observance.

My question to you, my children, is this:

what would you have done in Saint Theresa's place?

Who wants to answer?

Does Sister Marie-Bernard have a reply?

I would not have done what Saint Theresa did.

Rather than placing Jesus on the ground,

I would have kept him in my arms

and gone to chapel with him.

He couldn't have weighed much!

Sister Julienne, open the book on Lourdes,

at the chapter we had reached.

Sister Marie-Bernard, this is not for your ears.

You can leave.

Before going, come and kiss the ground.

I've been looking for you.

I've been to the infirmary. The sick are asking for you.

Iam the sickest of all.

Did your mistress's words put you in this state?

She's always getting at me.

She is showing you the way of perfection, my child.

The Holy Virgin sent her to you.

Didn't she tell you, you would not be happy on this earth?

When another creature hurts you,

repeat to yourself,

"Pass me by, creature.

"L still have God.

"God is enough."

Repeat it.

I still have God.

God is enough.

Good.

Now get back to your work.

Come on, it's for our Lord!

He suffered for us, we must suffer for him.

Call me when it's gone cold.

Secrets to tell?

I'd like to ask you to pray that I am cured.

Of course.

I'll even say a novena.

But you won't be cured of your illness.

Nor will you die of it.

You will simply suffer.

It takes hard work to be worthy of heaven.

Did the Holy Virgin tell you this?

You're too curious!

Sister.

I've finished.

You call that sweeping up?

And this is dusty.

I polished the brass.

It's shining, I must admit.

But the Lord looks under the beds.

He looks everywhere.

I still have God. God is enough...

Léontine!

I've come to help you.

Sister Emilie chose me. Know why?

Because you're from Lourdes, too.

That's right.

What can I do for you?

You can start by putting me in bed.

Are you unwell?

Upright, yes, but perhaps lying down...

Sorry to bother you, Sister.

I'm Fanny Paquet.

My husband is an upholsterer in Nevers.

My husband's aunt said there's a very pious nun in the convent,

who healed a child who couldn't walk.

It's not you, is it?

No.

I came for my little Ferdinand.

He's two and a half.

He's always ill, too weak to walk.

We've tried everything. The doctor says he'll never walk.

So I was hoping...

I was told to wait here

- for the Sister. - Who told you?

An older Sister.

She said her name

- but I've forgotten. - Marie-Thérése Vauzou?

That's it.

Give him to me.

So it's you!

- Has be been baptised? - Of course.

Come with me.

Let us pray.

Thank you, Mother.

For what, my child?

The little boy,

too ill to walk.

You sent his mother to me.

Well?

I prayed to the Holy Virgin to heal him.

I think she heard me.

I'm very happy, Sister, but don't thank me...

It was none of my doing.

Your friend Sister Alexandrine is no longer in the infirmary.

Sister Casimir is to replace her.

Why?

Too girls from Lourdes together meant too much chatting.

Sister Casimir will be ideal.

We spoke in patois but there's no harm in that.

A good nun should have her little crosses to bear.

My dear Sister,

you seem very fond of our Mother Mistress.

It was a natural outpouring.

I'm repenting of it already, but what's done is done.

What?

One drop, and you produce a fountain!

And what's this?

My hands are chapped.

I'm ashamed to see them like that.

I'll give you something for them.

Honey?

Yes, but no licking your fingers!

Sister Marthe has just passed out!

I'm coming.

Put it on yourself. But no rubbing.

I'll be right back.

The head-nurse falling ill now!

What next?

Sister Marie-Bernard.

Come here, please.

My child,

Sister Marthe will have to rest for a while.

We've decided to replace her as head-nurse.

Unanimously,

we believe that the nun best fitted to take her post

is the nursing assistant.

But I'm a good-for-nothing, Mother.

Our friend the doctor has convinced us otherwise.

Apparently, as a pharmacist you have no equal.

The Franco-Prussian War was all but lost in September,

with the French defeat at Sedan.

The Germans were at the gates.

The military hospital set up in the convent

was forced to fall back.

The police took up position, ready to oppose the invaders.

The Mother General decided to send the novices to the south

and the postulants back to their families.

My child,

Chevalier Gaugenot

would like to ask you a question about the difficult situation

our country is in.

The Prussians are at the gates,

and it's possible that Nevers will soon be occupied.

Have you seen the cannons in our gardens?

Yes, Mother.

Mr Chevalier, you may go ahead.

Sister, there's a rumour going around

that the Holy Virgin has appeared again

and given you some indication about how things will turn out.

Is this so?

It's even said that the Holy Virgin has given you a mission

on behalf of the government.

I said these rumours are totally unfounded.

You were correct, Mother.

So you've had no visions since Lourdes?

None.

No revelations concerning the future of France?

Nothing, sir.

The Holy Virgin hasn't spoken to you?

Oh, yes.

But never about earthly matters.

The Prussians are upon us! Doesn't that frighten you?

God is everywhere.

Even among the Prussians.

So we have nothing to fear from our enemies?

- I fear only bad Catholics. - Nothing else?

When I was little,

one day at church

the priest talked about sinners.

He was very hard,

and everyone was upset.

But some people said,

"He's only doing his job."

I don't follow.

The Prussians, too, are only doing their job.

NQ, go away!

Go away, Beast!

You're all upset. What is it?

A bad dream?

- The Beast... - Chasing you?

In my bed.

That's his favourite territory.

Sit down.

As soon as I fall asleep,

he appears and says awful things to me.

The Devil is inside us, as is the good Lord.

You must throw him out.

I scourge him outwith this.

It's my method.

There's also holy water.

Holy water?

Sprinkle it on your bed. It will drive the Beast away.

Anything else?

I'm afraid.

Afraid of what?

What if I was wrong?

If Mother Mistress is right?

She doesn't believe I saw the Holy Virgin.

Neither does Mother General.

They don't say I lied.

If they thought that,

they wouldn't have let me come here.

But perhaps

my eyes just thought they saw her.

You wouldn't have those eyes, that voice,

that smile...

if the Holy Virgin hadn't appeared to you,

in Lourdes or anywhere else.

You saw her.

And I can see her in your eyes.

Don't worry.

The Beast was naked!

When I was 15,

I loved watching my brothers and their friends hunting.

One night, my bedroom door opened

and a friend of my brother's came in.

He was naked, like your Beast.

I ran in my nightdress into the woods.

And?

Two days later I entered the convent.

A naked man can perfectly well lead you to God.

Goodnight, Bernadette.

Sister, what's the matter?

Has someone upset you?

I've just learnt of the death of my father.

He died Saturday night, at 9 o'clock.

A fortnight ago you were grieving for your brother.

Now it's my turn.

Do you need some medicine?

For my throat. I caught a cold during recreation.

Here, take this.

Three times a day. No more.

Bring the tin back when you're better.

Thank you, Sister.

Be brave.

Compassionate Jesus,

accept each one of my tears

as a supplication for all those who suffer.

Give me, I pray,

the bread of detachment,

the bread of forbearance,

so I can bear my grief.

The bread of my beloved Father.

Fiat.

Here she comes!

Halt there, halt there

The mountain people

Halt there, halt there

The mountain people are here

The mountain people

are here!

So you've fallen ill, too.

Who can we rely on?

The Pyrenean mountains

You are beloved to me

Yes, my loves

Happy little cabin

I will love you forever more

Oh, yes, forever more...

- Good evening, Sister. - Father.

I would like to speak to Sister Marie-Bernard.

That's impossible, Father.

The enclosure cannot be lifted

without the bishop's authorisation.

And he's away.

I've come a long way,

especially to see Marie-Bernard.

Only bishops are allowed, anyway.

That's all right, then. I'm the Bishop of Orléans.

I beg your pardon, Monsignor.

I'll inform Mother.

Mother General begs your pardon, Monsignor,

but she is ill and cannot receive you.

Thank you, Sister.

I won't disturb you for long.

My name is Félix Dupanlot,

an old bishop who's seen a lot in his time,

some of it leaving a bad taste.

I'm open-minded by nature but not gullible.

I know that the serpent often hides between praying hands.

All this adulation which you receive

fills me with doubts.

Me, too, Monsignor.

I hope I am not overtiring you, Sister.

When the good Lord allows it,

one does not complain.

This day and age has seen visionaries appearing everywhere.

La Salette, Bétharram, Garaison...

Mélanie Calvat,

who saw the Holy Virgin in Savoy,

sought refuge in cloisters.

Unfortunately, scandal followed her from convent to convent.

She ended up by being expelled from the Carmelites.

The priest at Ars never believed her.

Neither did I.

How she must have suffered!

You pity her?

Even if one suffers for something which does not exist,

one is still a martyr.

No doubt.

Even if she lied,

I shall pray for her.

One must pray for those who offend God.

With Mélanie Calvat,

it started badly in her first convent,

where she was venerated

by her superiors.

There's no chance of that here!

The same can't be said in Lourdes.

They consider you a saint there.

It's easy to canonise people.

Then you no longer have to pray for them.

When I die, they'll say,

"Sister Marie-Bernard was a real little saint,"

while I'm cooking in purgatory.

Excuse me for making you talk.

I'm used to it.

It's hard, not being able to breathe,

but inner sorrow is worse,

believe you me.

I believe you.

Do you want to go back to Lourdes and see your grotto?

Yes... If I was a little bird.

I did what everyone else does there.

I bought a photograph of you.

10 centimes.

I'm worth no more.

It doesn't look much like you.

They've made you look like a proper "little saint".

If only that was all!

The photographer kept wanting me

to look heavenwards,

as if I was seeing the Holy Virgin.

She wasn't there!

I'm not so sure.

I think my time is up.

Monsignor, the doctor needs Marie-Bernard in the infirmary.

It's my work.

I'll never know what your doubts were,

Monsignor.

I have them no longer,

Sister.

Take good care of that child.

She's a paragon of innocence.

There you are, you bad girl!

Given in at last, then?

It must be amusing for you.

Not amusing... I'm amazed.

When I heard I was going to be your guardian angel,

I couldn't believe it.

Do you remember when I left

and I asked you to come with me?

"Me? A nun? Never!"

And here you are.

It took me two years.

The good Lord isn't in a hurry.

- What are they saying in Lourdes? - That you'll be back.

Neven

When I'm dead, they'll fight over my miserable carcass,

but they won't get it.

Look how your grotto has changed.

It's beautiful.

My POOr grotto.

I'm supposed to help you.

I see the Sisters of the Hospice were generous.

They said, "Half the chocolate for Bernadette."

They gave me this for you, too.

But, my dear,

- I won't see any of it. - Why?

Everything vanishes here.

It's for the whole community.

Have the Holy Virgin, at least. Your sister gave it to me.

With this letter.

So it's true.

Toinette sells devotional objects in Lourdes.

Yes.

I'd rather she didn't.

How is Toinette?

Losing two children in six months is awful.

They were so young.

You know what Toinette says?

She's expecting a baby.

"If it's a girl,

"we'll call it Bernadette."

Cough.

Again.

Could I take part in Easter mass?

You'll be on your feet by then,

as long as you take your medicine.

But I do.

She could die at any moment.

Call the Father. So he can give her extreme unction.

Do you not think it is time to commend your soul to God?

This will be third time I've been given extreme unction.

I always get better.

You never know.

Perhaps this time it's for real.

In heaven we are happy,

down here we're in the dirt.

Please hear what I have to say with courage.

Yes, Mother.

The work of head-nurse is too big a burden.

Sister Gabrielle will take over.

In order to nurse the sick one shouldn't spend

too much time in bed.

I've done both until now.

You have shown remarkable courage and competence.

But you mustn't overdo it.

As long as I'm able to help others,

in however small a way...

Mother General and I

have found another post for you: sacristy assistant.

That sound nice.

You can still lend a hand in the infirmary.

You will have two jobs instead of one.

Let's hope the Father's last rites

will be unnecessary once again.

Let's hope.

What are you doing? Give me that!

No! Vanquish or die!

- You must rest. - Come...

Sister Gabrielle will see to you.

I can't leave that mess there.

I'll clean it up.

I'm so lacking in virtue, Sisters.

Thank you.

I came to say farewell.

You're leaving?

I'm too bored.

You're too bored, after only two weeks?

Go and tell Mother Superior.

I have.

She asked me to wait till tomorrow.

Until then, can you do me a favour?

At six this evening, I have to treat a former Mother Superior,

who's very ill.

- Will you help? - Of course.

- Is she a nun? - Of course.

But she can't wear a habit. You'll see why.

Bring me some hot water and a bowl.

Right, let's skin the beast!

I've never so regretted not being able to see.

The good Lord must have made you beautiful.

I think He forgot to.

Put that there.

Coward! You'll never be a Sister of Charity.

I'm sorry.

- Where are you going? - To throw this away.

Let me.

Tomorrow, before leaving, you can take our poor Sister for her walk.

Take care of her as though she were the Lord Himself.

Lord,

give me the strength to keep going.

Fatigue didn't stop You climbing to the top of Calvary.

I accept my suffering as it is Your wish.

Your will be done.

I've been assigned to Souillac hospital.

- May I say something? - Yes, go on.

In the hospital, be sparing of words.

When you care for a patient,

withdraw before they have time to thank you.

It is an honour to nurse an invalid.

Are you in pain?

It will pass.

It's my knee.

Tell me more.

See Jesus Christ in each person you care for.

The more disgusting the patient, the more love you must have.

Today, when Monsignor called me Sister Vincent,

I was afraid.

Afraid of not being able to keep it up.

Don't worry.

You'll be worthy of your habit.

I'd like a memento of you.

Something small.

I'll give you a present.

Something I've never given to anyone else.

Go to the foot of the cross and stay there.

Our Lord will speak to you

and you will hear Him.

Did the Holy Virgin tell you?

Let us kiss for the last time.

See you again?

Not on this earth.

Julie!

When you're in a room with a man, always leave the door open.

You couldn't call me a light woman!

- We could carry four like you. - What a chore, my poor Sisters!

But I must be there for our new chaplain's first mess.

It was this or crutches!

I was already a good-for-nothing,

now she'll say I'm a dead weight!

I've often had to forego mass.

Here I can take part day and night.

But that choirboy not ringing his bell does annoy me so!

Ifeel like shaking him.

I see you pray to your patron saint.

I pray to him, but I'm not like him.

St Bernard liked suffering.

I don't.

Oh, no.

There's something absurd about suffering.

Avoid it when you can.

Remember Jesus in Gethsemane.

"Father, if you are willing,

"take this cup away from me."

Father, you said in your sermon,

"One only sins if one wants to sin."

I have never wanted to sin.

Have I never sinned?

It's not that simple.

Mother!

I came as quickly as I could.

I didn't want you to leave without seeing you one last time.

How did you know? I told no one

besides Mother General.

I don't know.

I'm very ill, my child.

I'm going to Neuilly for treatment, perhaps for an operation.

So...

You will come back, Mother.

I'm sure of it.

But I cannot promise to be here to welcome you.

God bless you, my child.

Don't think of me too harshly.

We can be clumsy in showing our love.

You saved me from the sin of pride.

Thanks to you, I grew to love my vow of obedience.

It brought me closer to our Lord.

I shall pray that God grants you relief and consolation.

No. Not consolation.

Simply strength

and forbearance.

Bless me, Mother.

Sister...

Could you tell me where to go to speak to Sister Marie-Bernard?

Sister Marie-Bernard?

Yes, very well.

I'm passing through Nevers.

I didn't want to miss the chance of seeing the saint.

I brought my rosary

for her to bless.

Of course.

Just a moment, please.

I'll go and get her.

Mother General Marie-Joséphine lmbert

died on 1st March 1878 after a long illness.

The new bishop accompanied her to her final resting place.

You should rest. You're wearing yourself out.

No. I want to go to the door at least.

What do you think of the new bishop?

He's small and cold.

He won't stay long.

22nd September 1878.

Sister Marie-Bernard took her perpetual vows.

The Holy Cross room is today a sanctuary.

In 1878, owing to a lack of space,

it was turned into an infirmary for the professed nuns.

Bernadette was transferred there on 30th October,

and spent the last months of her life there.

Despite her suffering, the world continued to harass her.

Your sister Toinette

says that on 11th February

when you waded through the canal,

you said,

"The water feels warm,

"like washing-up water."

It's possible.

I remember it felt nice and warm.

But as for remembering my exact words...

Father Sempé needs a few details

for his book about apparitions.

Oh, Mary,

gentle Mother...

here is your child,

who cannot go on any longer...

Have pity on me.

It was 13 years since Bernadette left Lourdes,

13 years since she'd seen anyone in her family.

Why didn't you let me know?

I suddenly decided.

Someone told me you were ill, so...

They exaggerated.

I still have asthma,

and this sciatica on my knee.

But it's not that terrible.

No kiss?

Sit yourself down.

We need to talk.

- Does it hurt? - Sciatica can be painful.

Why don't you reply to my letters?

You don't write often.

Can't you guess why?

I learnt that my letters get around a bit in Lourdes!

People even have scraps of cloth

and cups which were mine.

My letters, too.

If it continues, I'll stop writing.

- I've never done that. - What about Toinette?

It's her husband.

Don't be mad at them.

They're so unhappy. They've just lost their 5th child.

Good Lord!

They didn't want me to see you,

because of the enclosure.

I had to get special permission.

You can't keep a brother from his sister.

We may never meet again.

How is your wife?

You could have told me you were getting married.

I don't mind that you gave up the priesthood,

but when you got married

you could have told the head of the family.

I hear you make a good living, selling candles at the grotto.

It's all lies!

I work on the building site for the new church for a pittance.

A pilgrim gave me the money for this trip.

And little Pierre...

How's he?

He's not so little.

He's 20 now, and 6 foot tall.

He sells devotional objects, too, doesn't he?

Yes, but he has other ambitions.

The bishop asked him to be his valet.

That'll be good.

Not bad.

In the meantime, if he goes on selling objects,

tell him not to sell any on Sundays.

The good Lord will make up the business he loses.

I'll tell him.

I'd so hoped my two brothers would devote themselves to God.

Don't hold it against us.

It's difficult to have a sister like you.

I haven't changed, you know.

Now go back to Lourdes.

And if God requires us not to meet again on this earth,

let us accept that with joy.

Do you recognise it?

Aunt Bernarde gave it to you.

I found it in a drawer.

I know. It doesn't mean anything to you any more.

Put it back where you found it.

Farewell, little brother.

Farewell, Bernadette.

Look how the sun delights in teasing me.

Scoffing at me in my bed.

The treatment has worked wonders on your tumour.

I'll put on a new dressing tomorrow.

I'm better cared for than a princess.

It's because I'm the bride of the King of All.

Is there anything you desire?

All I ask is for a good death.

Anything else?

Nothing.

I must be a victim.

You have a terrible enemy inside you!

See you tomorrow.

I don't want to see that doctor again.

She's done for. And her attitude doesn't help.

How can she expect to get better if all she wants is a "good death"?

How do you feel, my child?

I feel ground down,

like a grain of wheat.

Easter isn't far off.

The time when life starts again.

You'll be better, too.

No, Father.

My passion will last until my death.

Sister.

Today is the Friday of Christ's Passion,

the day of Our Lady of the Seven Pains.

I think the time has come for you to receive extreme unction.

This time,

I shall receive it and then die,

not start to live again.

Suffering and prayer...

I'm good for nothing else.

Don't be sorry that you can do nothing.

Our own hearts condemn us, but God is greater,

and He knows all things.

Our salvation is Christ on the cross,

who gave his suffering for this world.

Whoever suffers with forbearance has need of no other salvation.

The cross replaces all else,

and nothing can replace the cross.

Suffer and give...

"My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire

"in the vineyards of Engedi.

"Set me as a seal upon thine heart,

"for love is strong as death,

"jealousy is cruel as the grave.

"The coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

"The voice of my beloved.

"Behold! He cometh leaping upon the mountains,

"skipping upon the hills..."

Sisters,

it is time for the litanies.

Obey the Rule.

She wants her crucifix.

My Jesus...

Hang it around my neck.

I'm afraid.

I've been given so much grace,

yet benefited so little from it.

Have faith, Sister.

You have worked hard for the Holy Virgin.

At the moment you leave this world,

she will come to meet you.

Oh, yes!

I hope so.

I saw her.

I saw her.

She was beautiful...

beautiful.

Holy Mary.

Mother of God,

pray for me,

poor sinner that I am.

I'm thirsty.

Dear Sister,

you 3T8 HOW on your CTOSS.

Iam...

like Him...

At 3 in the afternoon on the Wednesday of Easter 1879,

at the hour of Christ's death,

Sister Marie-Bernard breathed her last.

At first her body lay in state in the small chapel of St Joseph,

where it was entombed until 1909.

Bernadette was beatified on 24th June 1925

and canonised on 8th December 1933.

When her body was exhumed for the 3rd time in 46 years,

it was still intact,

such as it remains today in the chapel of the Sisters of Nevers.