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Summary
- Bernadette does not appear in the Bible and has no Hebrew form or meaning.
- It is the French feminine form of Bernard, from Old German words meaning “bear” and “hard, firm, brave.”
- Saint Bernadette Soubirous (1844–1879) reported eighteen apparitions at Lourdes in 1858; the lady named herself “the Immaculate Conception.”
- She joined the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in 1866, died in 1879 and was canonized on 8 December 1933; her feast is 16 April.
- The Catholic Church has recognized 72 healings at Lourdes as miraculous, but Catholics are not required to believe in the apparitions; many Protestants reject them and the Immaculate Conception.
- The name was among France’s 30 most common girls’ names from 1934 to 1955.
Bibliography (Click to show)
- Behind the Name, “Bernadette” and “Bernard,” with name days and popularity figures. https://www.behindthename.com/name/bernadette
- Behind the Name, “Popularity for the name Bernadette,” United States, France and Ireland tables. https://www.behindthename.com/name/bernadette/top/united-states
- Online Etymology Dictionary, “-ette.” https://www.etymonline.com/word/-ette
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, “Bernadette Soubirous.” https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/bernadette-soubirous/
- Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes, “Les apparitions” (French text, source of the quotations from the apparitions, translated here). https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/apparitions/
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, “The miracles of Lourdes.” https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/the-miracles-of-lourdes/
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, “Antonia Raco, 72nd Lourdes miracle.” https://www.lourdes-france.com/en/antonietta-raco-72nd-lourdes-miracle/
- “Bernadette Soubirous,” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadette_Soubirous
- “Our Lady of Lourdes,” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Lourdes
- “The Song of Bernadette (film),” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Song_of_Bernadette_(film)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 67 and 490–491. https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
- GotQuestions.org, “What is the Immaculate Conception?” https://www.gotquestions.org/immaculate-conception.html
- GotQuestions.org, “Why have so many claimed to see apparitions of Mary?” https://www.gotquestions.org/apparitions-of-Mary.html
- Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV): Luke 1:47; Romans 3:23; 1 John 4:1. Also cited: Luke 1:28.
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