Saint Bernadette Up-close

The OLLP Leaders and Parishioners headed by our Parish Priest and Shepherd Rev. Fr. Leonie Espana were the first to Congratulate Stephanie Jasmine B. Rizano for bringing home a Special Award; Most Comprehensive Introduction/Presentation. Stephanie 12 years old, a representative from the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Bangkal during the Gallery of Saints Cosplay at Ayala Malls Abreeza on Oct. 28, 2018, portraying St. Bernadette Soubirous, the patron of illness, poverty, and people ridiculed for their piety.

The story of St. Bernadette is well known throughout the Church because of her remarkable connection to the Marian apparitions of Lourdes. St. Bernadette born on January 7, 1844 in Lourdes France from a very poor family. She has five siblings. She is young simple and impoverished girl who was chosen by our Lord and our Lady to witness a miracle. In 1858, when she was fourteen years old, she reported seeing an apparition of a woman in a nearby grotto a girl in white no taller than her. The Lady reveals her name on March 25, 1858, 16th apparition; “Que Soy Era Immaculada” (I am the Immaculate Conception). During that year, she sighted eighteen visions in all, the vision eventually told her of a discovery of the miraculous spring with special healing power on Feb. 25, 1858, ninth apparition.

People from her town believed that she had definitely seen the image of the Virgin Mary. Shunning all excitement and still retaining the simplicity of a child, she hid from the public eye, entered a religious order, a nun at the Sisters of Charity and Christian Instruction in Nevers in 1866 at the age of twenty-two. She had illnesses but never went to the “healing spring” for help, and at the age of thirty-five, she died from the tuberculosis on April 16, 1879. She died devoting her personal suffering to Christ and with these words on her lips “Blessed Mary, Mother of God pray for me a poor sinner.” Canonized Dec. 8, 1933 by Pope Pius X1. Her recent canonization means that she is a great Saint to learn from, in our current era. There are many things to learn from the life of this great Saint like for example: child-like wonder, obedience, trust and perseverance.

Like Saint Bernadette, Stephanie is a sweet, simple child blessed with a beauty titlist face and height. Raised in a humble environment, in the GKK of Sto. Nino District 6. At the age of eight, joined the Children Ministry as Psalmist. She was the only prospect which came to Ana Norbe and Elenita Biag’s minds when they were scouting for a St. Bernadette look-alike child ages 8-12. “Nag Yes ko bisan ug gikulbaan when Maam Ana approached me,” said Stephanie. Thank you Steph you are truly a blessing. May God grant that you may never tire of answering His call. (Vinny G. Bajo | OLLP SoCCom)