"Bernadette was faithful to her mission, she was humble in her glory, and she was strong when she was put to the test." So said His Holiness Pope Pius XI at her beatification in 1923. "She brought the world close to Christ the Savior because her self-respect was such that nothing could undermine it. She lived in a hovel, she went hungry, she dwelt for years in ignorance, yet somehow she always found the way to be tidy, the strength to refuse alms, and the ingenuity to substitute sound sense for profound learning...and she was cheerful and industrious...she had true Christian resignation...she was sincere...she set the example of saying short and simple prayers." Although she was the only one to see her visions (The Blessed Mother appeared to her eighteen times.) and she was forbidden by the authorities to return to the grotto, she was compelled to visit and pray before the Beautiful Lady. This biography is extraordinarily well-researched and the author's notes detailing the research trips and their challenges and rewards were most inspiring.
"Anger has a way of retreating before those who confront it calmly and casually, whereas it pounces mercilessly on those who cower before it."
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