(dramatic music) (soft music) (light music)
(birds chirping) (sheep bleating) - Bigoux! Bigoux! Bigoux, Bigoux! (Bigoux barking) (soft music) Papa. Papa (coughing), - Ah, another coughing spell? - It's nothing. Why are you looking
at me that way? - We all have missed you. - Papa, Mama, Annette,
Jean-Marie, Tristan. - I have very good news
for you, Bernadette. I'm bringing you back. - To school, to catechism? - And to home. - The dungeon?
- Mm hm, yes. - All right now, children,
open your notebooks. We are going to have
a lesson in writing. Now, now Augustine. (kids laughing) That's enough, children. The older pupils will start. You will write out your
name in full and your age on the top line of a page. Pauline, I said the
top of the page, and legibly, if you please. - Bernadette, do you
want some of these? - Do you want some? - Stand up. When one is this backward
as you, Bernadette, one should at least behave. What is God? - God? God is love. - That's all? - Yes. God is love. - Sophie? - God is a spirit
of purity, eternal, infinitely perfect creator
of heaven and earth and master of all things. - That's more like it. Take your seat now. (light music) - Where are you
going to, Louise? - Gone for wood, we
don't have any more. - Hello, Miriam.
- It's Saturday. We'll go for you. - Just let us, Mama. - We'll gather such a lot
there'll be some left to sell. - Not you, Bernadette. It's too cold out,
the job is for you. - In the mountains,
I was always outside. - All right, but go
put on your cape. - I'll be right out. - Guess what happened yesterday? Sister Danielle punished
Juleyka whispering to Sophie. - What about Sophie? - Sister let her off. - She sure is sister's pet. It's disgusting. (bright music) - Should we go across? - Looks like we've got to. We've got to find
wood somewhere. - In that case. Well, I'm goin'. (water splashing)
Oh, it's cold. - Hey, wait for me. - Well hurry up. - Oh, it's cold as ice. Annette, lower
your skirt though. He's watching. - Annette, please throw
some stones in the water so I can cross. - Oh, throw them yourself. - Miriam? Miriam, would you carry me? You know I'm not supposed
to get my feet wet. - Well why don't you try
acting like everyone else for change, darlin'. - Oh, you must fear going alone. - Coming, Miriam?
- Okay, we're going all right. Dammit, dammit. (Bernadette gasping) - Annette! Annette. Miriam. Annette! (wind howling) (shoes thudding) (soft music) - Bernadette. Bernadette! - She sure is lazy. - What are you doing? - You'll see. - Miriam, she seems dead.
- Oh no, if she were dead, she'd be lying down.
- Let's go across. - Yeah, let's go. (water splashing) - Hey, what are you doing? (bright music) - Nothing. - You were praying. Gosh, you're stupid
to pray out here. - Every place is good to pray. The water's not a bit cold. To me, it's just as
warm as dishwater. (water splashing) - Warm. - Warm as dishwater. Didn't you see anything? - [Both] No. - Did you see something? - I saw nothing. (girls laughing) Wait a second. Listen. I've got to tell you. She was so pretty,
- Who was? - Promise you won't tell a soul? - [Both] No, no. - In the grotto, I
saw a beautiful lady, about my height, no more. She was all dressed in
white with a light blue belt and yellow roses
at both her feet. - Say, are you kidding us? - No, Miriam. Look at her. She's not trying to kid us. - My goodness. I'll be so happy
when we go back. (light music) (sister humming) - [Girl] Ouch! Ow! - Don't be such a sissy. - Ow! Mama? - Yes?
- You know what? Bernadette says she saw
a miracle at Massabielle. - What? Bernadette Bernadette? Is what Annette tells me true? - Yes, Mama. - Did you tell anyone else? - Yes, Miriam. - Then everyone will know. - What's going on here? - You see your father
can't find a job, you realize all the
worries we have, and all you can do
is make up stories. When will you begin to
see that people like us can't afford to draw attention. And you, you're going to get it. - Oh, ow! (Annette crying) No, no. It's all your fault. (stick banging) - Eloise! - It was a dream. It was a bundle of branches, a bundle of branches
you imagined with. - Oh no, Mama, she had
such a wonderful face. I'm better now, Mama. It's over. - This was bound to
have an effect on you. I don't want you to
go to the grotto. Promise? - Yes, Mama. - You promise? - Yes, I promise. (girls laughing)
- You're cheating again. I'm not going to play with you. - And there were yellow
roses at both her feet. - Well, what do
you think of that? - Yes, yellow roses. - Big liar.
(hand slapping) - What's going here? - Sister, Bernadette's
making up lies. (bell tolling) She says she saw
a beautiful lady at the rock at Massabielle. - Yes, sister, I did. - Oh, is that so? Why don't you go and
tell it to father Pamian? - That's the way Bernadette
told me the story. - My dear Father Pamain, what on earth makes you
imagine that this story merits our interest? - I was impressed. - Thank you, Teresa. - And who are these subio? - Soubirous? Why, they're the poorest
family we have in Lourdes. But they have a spirit of love
found only among the poor. There are six of them in
one miserable little room that used to be a
dungeon in the old days. - Scandalous. - For whom? - Speaking about dungeons, the air seems to
be familiar now. Why yes, I once visited the man of
François Soubirous in prison. He used to be a miller and he couldn't manage
to make a go of it. It was just last year he was
caught stealing something or other, a plank of wood. - What's that? A plank of wood, why
not breath to breathe? The poor are always wrong. - They say when there's
smoke, there's fire. - A maxim, father, say,
worthy of Pilate or Herod, but not of you. How is he faring at present,
this Francois Sousbirous? (horse neighing) (happy music) - You wouldn't dare. - I bet you, I bet you wouldn't. - Oh no, wouldn't you
be happy to go back? - I've got to go back. (both groaning) - Then it's settled. I'm going to run
and get permission from your father (laughing). - Come on, hurry up! - Papa, Papa. Papa? - Now what's all the
excitement about? - Please let her go, Papa.
- You know you shouldn't be coming here.
- Please give her permission, Mr. Sousbirous.
- Who asks for permission? - To me, Papa. Me, Papa. Please, Papa.
- Permission for what? - To go to Massabielle.
- The grotto. - No, Bernadette, you
know you promised Mama. (girls groaning) - Oh, let her go, Mr. Soubirous. The lady's holding rosary beads, she can't harm the child. - Well, all right. - There.
- Thank you Papa. Thank you, Mr. Kazanaugh. - Thank you, Mr. Kazanaugh. (bright music) - Oh hurry, come on. - Do try your best
please, Louise, won't you? - Yes, I'll try, Mrs Mark. Day after tomorrow. - Mrs. Soubirous, will you please let Bernadette
go out to the grotto? - She wants so much to go, Mama. - Mr. Kazanaugh says that as
long as she's got rosary beads on her it must be all right. - Don't insist, you
know we both forbid it. - But Mr. Soubirous
gave permission. - Yes.
- Yes he did. - Oh, now Louise, why not? Since Francoise agrees. (girls laughing)
- Come on, hurry up. (happy music) - There's nobody here, come on. - Did you remember
to bring the cup? - I wasn't supposed to. Annette, haven't you got it? - It's not me who has it. I gave it to Augustine. - I know, I'm not
the one who has it. It's Sophie.
- It's not me either. I told you what he'd do. - (gasping) It's
right where I put it. - Is it full?
- Yes. - Are you coming? The others have all gone. (bright music) - Everybody kneel down. I said everybody. And take out your rosaries. (soft music) You see the light? There she is. Look closely. Her rosary beads
are by her side. She's looking at us. - Sprinkle it with holy water. If it's the devil,
he'll go away. - If you are the devil, go away. If you come from our
Lord in heaven, stay. Oh, please stay. - Bernadette? Bernadette? Look at her. - Maybe she's dead. Maybe she's dead. - But she looks happy. - There's something
certainly wrong. - Maybe she's under his spell. - Let's try to wake her.
- Bernadette. - Bernadette.
- Oh, I'm scared. Run, get your mother. - No, I'll go. You stay here.
- Julie. Maybe Tony Nicolo's in
the pasture, go and see. - Hurry, hurry. - Bernadette, wake up. - Wake up, Bernadette. (happy music) (dog barking) - Bernadette? - What?
- You all right? - Yes. - What happened to
you, Bernadette? - You fought me
like a little tiger. - Were you still able
to see the rest of us? - You gave me a real
scare, you know. Here's Mama. - There you are. You want them laughing at us? Why'd you have to
bring anybody along? - But Mama, I didn't ask
anyone to come with me. - Oh, you. - Louise, what are you doing? - She's a disgrace. - No, Louise, she's an angel. - I know you're going
to go back there again. - [Mrs. Millet] Don't
you worry, Louise. Next time, I'll go along myself. (soft music) - Mrs. Millet went to
Massabielle with all the girls. - And what happened, Teresa? - Well, the beautiful
lady commanded Bernadette. Will you do me the grace of
coming to see me for two weeks? - The grace. And what did they
deliver, did they answer? - After having asked for
permission from my parents? Yes, I will. - Isn't that fun? - And the lady went on. I do not promise that you
will be happy in this world, but in the next one. - Good evening, gentlemen. - Good evening. - Evening, doctor. - Ah, my dear judge. - Hello, doctor. How are you? - It's good to do some better. Capital six. - That's not bad.
- (chuckling) Evening, Martin. Good evening to you, Mr. Mayor. - Good evening, doctor. - Evening, colonel. - Evening, doctor. Say, doctor, you' re just a man. What do you think
medically speaking of the events at Massabielle? - The events, that's going far. Let's not exaggerate. - No, indeed, I'm serious,
my dear commissioner. I mean exactly what I said. - No hypnosis,
hallucination, don't ask me. My dear colonel, now do
you think you'd be able to bring a case to a jury without studying
its whole history? With me, it's the same thing. I'm not a diagnostician and
I examine at the patient. - Obviously. - I'm Dr. Douzous. - Commander in Chief Renault of the gendarme station at Tarpe on a mission in Lourdes for
the events just mentioned. - Have they gone as far as that? - I'm going there tomorrow
morning at the usual hour. - Oh, well you'll see me there. Yes, I've planned to look in
on my way to the hospital. Might as well. - Splendid. - Now tell us exactly
where she was standing. - Close by. I could have touched her by
just stretching out my hand. - But why are you rubbing
your eyes, my dear? - When she goes away, it's as if I were passing
from sunshine to shadow. (angelic music) - And then why did you cry? Tell me why. - Because she did. She said to me. - She said to you? - Pray to God for
all the poor sinners. - How does it happen you
hear her voice, Bernadette? - I can't be sure. It seems to come to me here. - It comes to me here. Pulse quiet and regular,
respiration free and easy. No sign of hysteria
or nervousness. It's very disturbing. Gentlemen. - Well, our friend has let the
girl take him in, hasn't he? - Absurd. It's ridiculous. No, thank you. It's just play acting. - I would even go
further than that, Judge. I'd wager that this is
a family conspiracy. - A conspiracy? - It's the parents who exploit their
children to make money. End of story. - Yes, but all this
might take a bad turn. I don't think we should
take it too lightly. - Let me handle it. And I can promise to put a stop
to this Bernadette nonsense once and for all. - After me, if you don't mind. I'll have her brought
to my office at once. (light music)
(rock clattering) (door knocking) So you're Bernadette Soubirous? - Yes, I am. - What's all this I hear
of a vision at Massabielle? - It's the truth, sir. - Sit down and now tell
me exactly what you saw. - I saw a beautiful
lady, so beautiful, dressed completely in white
(clock ticking) with a light blue belt and
yellow roses upon her feet. (soft music) (rock clattering) (door knocking)
- Yes? So you were out there listening. - That's my business,
Colonel Dutour. Well? - Well. Well the child
seems to be sincere. She believes she saw something. - Though we know
it's impossible. - Obviously. - There's someone
behind all this. - I guess so. Without her knowledge. - Well, now I should
have my turn, colonel. - What do you intend to do? - To go and fetch her when
she comes from Vespers today and question her, in my fashion. Sit down child, this
will take a while. - Thank you, sir. - What's your name, young lady? - Bernadette. Bernadette Soubirous. - What is your occupation? - My occupation? - Yes, what do you do all day? - I go to the sister school. I help Mother with
her housework. I take care of my brother. - Very well. Tell me now, just what do you
think you saw at Massabielle? - A beautiful
lady, so beautiful. - Beautiful say as
Madame Decouraiges or Baroness Gramon? (Bernadette giggling) - Much more so they can't
help it though, Poor thing. - Much more so. They can't help it,
the poor things. - Poor things? And you maintain that
she's the Virgin Mary? - She didn't tell
me her name, sir. (light music) - Hey, Soubirous. Soubirous - Hey Francois. What do you want? - It's Bernadette.
- What about her? - Come on down. - Oh, but I'm working. Luca, would you mind if I? - Go ahead. - Be right down. - Come on, Francois. - Where are we going? - Jacomet has been questioning
her for over an hour now. - Jacomet? But what for?
- It's the same old story. - The Colonel this morning and
now the police commissioner. - And with him, it'll be worse. To them, we're all criminals. - Yeah, don't I know. - I thought I should
come and get ya. - You're a pal, Francois. - Now I'm going to read you
precisely what you've stated. Let's see, you told
me that she appeared in the back of the grotto. - Why, no I didn't at all, sir. I said above the briars. - Very well. She was wearing a purple belt and her golden hair floated
on her back and shoulders like a billowing veil. - No, my goodness, you've
made everything sound silly. I said she wears a veil,
but since it's a long one, her hair wouldn't be seen
through it, would it? And her belt is blue. - Purple! - How would you know about it? It was blue. - This foolishness has got to
be stopped once and for all. Will you, yes or no, promise not to go back
again to Massabielle? - I've already promised. - Ah, good. - [Bernadette] I promised
the lady to go for 15 days. - So, you insist on going. I'm warning you, I'm
bringing the gendarmes. They'll take you to prison. - Well then I won't
cost my father so much. (laughing) I hope
you'll allow someone to come and teach catechism. (voices clamoring) - Hey there, hey there! Where do you think you're going? - My daughter's up there
and I want to see her. - Hey, hey, get
your hands off him. - You can't go up
without permission. - [Jacomet] What's
the meaning of this? Who are you? - I'm Bernadette's father. - Soubirous? Oh yes, I recognize you. Well, you're right on time. This child is a minor
and you are responsible. - I know it. - Yes, and you know very
well without my telling you just what it costs
to break the law. Now then, what is your
version of all this nonsense? - She believes it,
Mr. Commissioner. - That's her affair, not mine. But what is mine is that
she's creating disorder. In your place, Soubirous, I'd not be exposing
myself one bit further. - I'd be glad to
oblige, commissioner. My wife and I are fed up
with all this business, being followed,
questioned, investigated. - Ah, that sounds
more reasonable. I'm pleased with your attitude. You may take her home in that
case, and no more nonsense. I think you'd better
go out this way. Tirvan, from this moment on you're
to have them followed and report on every single
movement of the girl, her parents, and the neighbors. Hang about, post a gendarme at the grotto. Ah, and he's to identify
everyone who goes there. - [Gendarme] Come
on, get a move on. No loitering, please. (light music) - Yesterday morning, February
22nd, mass was not said, and no visitors
approached the grotto. But then in the afternoon, we followed her on the
road from the school. If you ask me, the operation's
afraid of gendarmes. There were no visions
for the first time. - And what about the girl? - Bernadette? She began crying like a Madonna. All her relatives
were there begging her not to go to the grotto. - Yes, yes, yes, well
it's most disturbing. - But nothing occurred,
what's disturbing about that? - Yes, that's what's disturbing? You see, if the child were
really making believe, what would stop her
from inventing the
same story as before? - Ah, let's put it
that she's a bit mad. - A bit mad? Then the police
wouldn't bother her. She'd have gone
right ahead with it. - Well, in my opinion,
this is pure invention, Mr. Commissioner. - It was my opinion
too, you realize. But my dear fellow, how
would you explain the fact that her mother and aunts
are all pleading with her not to go to Massabielle? All pleading with her
not to go to Massabielle. (birds chirping) (angelic music) - [Bernadette] Go
drink of the spring and wash yourself in its waters. No. Not here? In the grotto. But there's only a
little dirty water. Drink of this water? Wash myself? But it's muddy. Eat of this grass? But it's dry. Oh, it's so bitter. (birds chirping) - [Man] She's completely crazy. - [Woman] She must be,
she ate that grass. What does she think she's doing? It's very strange. - [Man] This time
she's gone too far. - I was never taken in. I'm still not convinced. - Did you happen to
see Madame Jacomet? - I'll bet her husband's
going to get a talking to. - Poor Bernadette, it's a pity. - [Woman] What did she
think she was doing? There was never any water
in that spot, never. - Mama, come here. Come here, Mama. Look at the water. Do you see it? - [Woman] Come
along, that's enough. (water bubbling) - What can I do
for you, my child? - I'm Bernadette Soubirous. - Come inside. Now then, what's the trouble? - Father, the lady in the grotto
said I should tell a priest that she wishes to have
a chapel in Massabielle. - Did she? And exactly who is this woman? - She didn't tell me. - Didn't you ask her? - Oh yes. But she just smiled at me
and she didn't say a word. - And now you affirm
that she said to tell me that she wishes to have
a chapel at Massabielle? - Yes, Father.
- Here's you perched on top of a rock. The name you can't tell me. He's quite probably
as mad as you are. He wants us to build a
chapel in the grotto. When you accept this
incredible message and you expect us to be
stupid enough to believe you. - She didn't ask me to
make you believe it. She only asked me to tell you. - You're just play acting. You made a spectacle of yourself in front of everybody yesterday. What for? - I only did what
my lady told me to. - Told you to? How do you know you
even understand her? You're ignorant. Why, you can't even read. At mass in Vespers,
how do you manage? Listen, because you wish
to continue this game, try once more to
find out who she is. And as long as
she seems to think that she should have
the right to a chapel, make her give you some proof. For instance, she could
make a flower bloom on the briar in the grotto. - Father, could it be ever
such a tiny little one? - Little what? - Chapel, if you please. (priest groaning) - A chapel. That's what the
child came to ask me on behalf of her
lady in the grotto. I bless the Lord
each and every day that we didn't get mixed
up in this whole affair. - And yet, many people can't
understand our silence, Father. - They're the same. Yes, The very same
ones who'd attack us if we did take a
stand on the matter. - I cannot adopt the maxim
that prudence is a virtue. - Real prudence is
indeed a virtue. It's being able to
foresee one's imprudences. Take my word for it. - Yes. But that would make us
all equal to St. Thomas. - My dear Pamian, the doubting of St. Thomas
turned out as valuable, in my opinion, as the
faith of all the disciples. (girls clamoring) - Why, judge, what a surprise. - Please excuse me, madame. But it's really
indispensable that I see you before next Thursday. The last day in the two weeks. - Just to be sure. Back to your studies,
children, please, Sister Damien, please
take the children in. - Except.
- Of course. Bernadette. - Ah, so there you are. - You wanted to see me, sir. - Would you care to
go into the parlor? - It won't be necessary. She'll be staying inside
for a long time soon. Do you see those gendarmes? They've come to
take you to prison. (fingers snapping)
- But you can't do this judge. - You can put me in prison, but make sure it has
very heavy bars, sir. Or I may escape. - Listen, I offer you one last chance. Will you be reasonable? - What do you mean by
the word reasonable? - Renounce going to the grotto. - That, no. And nobody can make me. - I see. You prefer going to prison. Perishing in prison. - Please, judge, have pity. Leave Bernadette with us. Don't shut her in prison,
she couldn't bear it. - If only she would
change her mind. But I'll grant your
request, Mother. I'll think it over. - [Man] The last morning
of the two week period, Lourdes had become a dead city. Everyone was at the
grotto, 20,000 persons. - There were 10, Father
Haman is exaggerating. - These are also the figures given by the police
commissioner. 20,000 arrived during the night from all the surrounding areas. They expected
something to happen. Nothing happened, nothing. They all made a
dash to her door. - They were furious
with her then. - And waited in line for hours to be able to kiss Bernadette. - To be able to kiss her. - I myself witnessed
as father paramount the recovery of
two paralyzed boys who had simply drunk
some of the water. - But what has the church
to reap from all of this? - Father paramount
reminds your excellency that never before have so
many come to confession or made the pre-lesson retreat. - [Father] What's so amusing? - The anger of father paramount. He says souvenir shops
are beginning to crop up along the entire
road to Massabielle. - The merchants will
always proceed the temple. I would be curious to
see what she looks like, this little Miss Bernadette. (soft music) - Mama. Mama. I've got to go to the grotto. - Now, At night? - Yes, Mama. - Francois.
(Francois mumbling) - What's going on? - She wants to go to the grotto. - In the middle of the night? Well, at least we'll be alone. - That's what you think. It's the day before
annunciation. - The day before annunciation? Oh, come quick. Oh, please hurry. (rain pouring)
(light music) Please, my lady. Oh, my lady, won't you please
tell me what your name is? My lady, please, tell me your name,
I need to know. Oh my lady, please. If you would only tell
it to me, I must know. (joyous music) I am the immaculate conception. - What did you say? You could curtsy at
least when you come in. - I am the immaculate
conception. - What are you talking about? - I don't know, it's
the name she told me. - Is that what she said
when you asked for her name? - Yes, that's what she told
me, Father, when I asked her. I asked her three times, and I'd have gone on
till she answered. - Say it again. - She opened her
arms and very slowly, she folded her
hands on her breast, over her heart. And lifting her eyes, she said I am the
immaculate conception. - You must have been mistaken. You shouldn't repeat things
you don't know the meaning of. - Oh, but that's
what she told me. I've been saying it over
and over so I'd remember it. - I've heard enough. You may leave. (soft music) - Father? Father, what's the matter? - Bernadette. The lady spoke to
her last night. Today, 25th of March,
Annunciation Day. - And what did she say? - She said, I am the
immaculate conception. - But Bernadette
might've imagined it. - Oh no, she couldn't possibly
have imagined such a thing. - But then. But then, but I don't understand, I've
never heard this expression. We never say
immaculate conception. - But that's just it,
nobody has ever used it. Nobody. Therese, have you
heard the news? - The news, Father. I've known about it
since the very first day. - Oh, come now. Bernadette herself
didn't know it. - Perhaps not. But I saw it in
her eyes, Father. (hammer banging) - In other words if anyone tries
to get over the barricades, you'll shoot him down. - Not quite, but he'd
be put in prison. - I'd wager your prison is
going to be pretty full up. - Father, you don't
seem to appreciate that it is in the interest
of the church that the commissioner
issue the news. - You may tell the
commissioner that the church is able to look after
its own interests. And where do you intend
taking all this, my good man? - To the town hall, Father. - Where they'll be
held at the disposition of their proprietors. - And they in turn
will bring everything right back to the grotto. One would think the mayor
didn't know our parishioners. Now what's that? (hammer banging) The mayor of the
city of Lourdes, in recognition of the importance to the interest of the church to put a stop to the
regrettable incidents taking place in the
grotto at Massabielle, and considering furthermore
the general welfare to be. Therefore, considering
that the law prohibits the exploitation
of all sources of water without authorization by
the government decrees. Article number one, that it is henceforth
a crime to draw water at the said source. Therefore a crime to
draw water at the source. Mr. Mayor, whom is this
ruling intended to affect? - Everyone, naturally. - That's not quite true. Common knowledge that you
have already drawn the water for analysis and that you
hope to further Lourdes as a tourist center
and as a health resort. - It's proper to do so. - And besides being
proper, no doubt Mr. Mayor, it would be good business
for your administration, though to the detriment
of our parishioners. But what you forget
about, Mr. Mayor, is that this morning at six
o'clock a paralyzed child, one who had been an
invalid all of his life, was bathed in these very waters and then ran all alone into
the arms of his mother. - That's a case for the
medical authorities. Not the administration. By the way, father paramount, I wish to remind you that
the law of June 30th, 1828. - '38. - To be sure. Makes provision for the
internment for treatment of persons suspected
of insanity. - Am I suspected? - No.
- Come on, Father. - The report of three
medical officials on Bernadette Soubirous
does not conclude that such internment
is necessary. However, it does not oppose it. If you have no objection,
therefore our intention is-- - But I do have an objection. Bernadette is completely sane. She cannot come under the
terms of the law 28, 38, or any other year. And she's no menace
to public welfare. She has caused no disorder. She's at full
health, impoverished, but she is not unbefriended. Her soul is in my keeping. You may tell the commissioner
that his gendarmes should remember this, before coming near her, they
will have to deal with me. (light music) - Mama.
- Yes, dear? - Mama. I was just in church and I
heard her voice distinctly. She's calling me. - But it's been three months
since you last heard it. - Doesn't matter, Mama. Oh, come on, please. - What about the
fences they put up? - Oh please, let's go, Mama. - But what am I going
to do about my laundry? - She may be waiting
this very minute. (bright music) Look, Mama. Don't you see her? She's watching us. She's nodding to us
from behind the fence. (light music) She didn't talk to me. I never saw her look prettier. But I don't understand
how you can see her. The river is so wide now. The barricades are so high. - I can see neither the
river nor the barricades. Only her. But now I know I
won't see her again. Her eyes were so blue. (voices clamoring) (gate crashing) - In the name of his
gracious majesty the emperor, from this day forward, access to the grotto
of Massabielle and usage of the waters of
the spring are free to all. The provisional ban of June
8th is hereby withdrawn. - On this day, the
18th of January, 1862, after two years of inquiry, we acknowledge that
Mary the Immaculate, Mother of God, did actually
appear to Bernadette Soubirous the 11th of February, 1858,
and the days that followed. We hereby also humbly
submit our judgment to that of our
sovereign pontiff. And we authorize in our diocese the cult of our Lady of Lourdes. We also propose to
erect a sanctuary there. - I can't bear it. I can't bear our
being separated. - I'm sure you see that
with all things considered, it's for the best to come here. - I accept it. - And I wonder if it's
still quite enough. - Not quite enough? - Protection. - Mother, please. - You say mother. You know, that's what
Bernadette calls me as well. But I think we
both should realize that we are neither of
us her mother anymore. - I know that. And I'm not jealous. No, no, I'm not jealous. And we are indebted to you
for your trouble, Mother. Bernadette's a real
burden for you. - You mustn't say that. She helps with the marketing, she does well in the infirmary. - In the infirmary? - Why, yes. We consider her
almost as one of us. - Already? (bell dinging) (soft music) - Mama. I was afraid it was going
to be another bishop. (both laughing) - Hurry, hurry Bernadette,
go ring the bell. The Bishop of Nevers
is at the gate. (bell ringing) - Bernadette. Won't you be seated, my child? Very well. I am happy at last to
see your face, child. And your hand. Why, surely I didn't
intimidate you if you felt at ease with
our Heavenly Mother. That's better. Now let's have a little talk. Have you thought of your future? - Why, I guess not. - What do you mean, child? We all must find something
to do here on earth. - Oh, but I've been here with
the sisters for three years. - Yes, But generally one
remains here for a limited time. - I'd like to remain always. - (chuckling) Very easily said,
but not so easy to arrange. - But why, monsignor? - Because you're not a nun. And it is
indispensable to be one in order to remain indefinitely
within the community. You're no longer a
child, Bernadette. I think you might be happy
to establish yourself in the outside world. - Oh monsignor, please,
I couldn't bear it. - Then tell me why
haven't you petitioned to become a sister? Have you never thought of this? - Oh yes. But it's impossible,
monsignor, I'm poor. I couldn't bring
the dowry required. - From time to time, we do
take some into the novitiate who can bring no dowry. If they show vocation. - Yes, but surely
those without dowry are really smart and useful
and make it worth your while. But I don't know anything
and I can't do anything. Hasn't the Mother
Superior told you? - Now, Bernadette, that's not what
I've been hearing from the sister in the kitchen. We'll find some place for you. The sisters of
Nevers have an order that is dedicated to devotion to the most
humiliating services. - The most humiliating? - Under the cross of our Lord. So you see, there's
no need for schooling or wealth among them. There are other things. At Nevers, the gates
at the main entrance are marked with the letters of
two little words, God alone. This is the Supreme rule there. - God alone. - If you would like to, you
could ask her Mother Superior what advice she might give you? And I'll take care of the rest. - I will, monsignor. But I can't be sure yet. (light music) - These are the principles
that monsignor wants followed, on her arrival here we are to
shelter Bernadette Soubirous not so much against
the curious public, the walls around us and the
gatekeeper will see to that, but against the admiration
of her companions. - So they will never learn
about it from your own lips? - Yes, Mother
Marie-Thérès, just once. Once only. Tomorrow, I'll assemble
the entire community. Bernadette will then recount
the whole story of Massabielle, but nobody thereafter
must ever make allusion to her presence. Does this seem excessive
to you, Mother Nathalie? - I'm sorry, Mother, but I'm
just reminded of the gospel. That one should not hide
one's light under a bush. The light will keep on burning. It shall light the world over. From Lourdes. But not from here. Nevars will serve
as the dark river against which the light
will only see more bright. Mother Marie Therese. - Yes, Mother? - You've told me what
you said to your novices. This is going to be the
happiest day in my whole life. - To behold the eyes that
have seen the Virgin. - Nevertheless, I suggest
to you and even older you to consider Bernadette
Soubirous as nothing more than any other of your novices, one amongst many. - You're tired, Mother. Why don't you get some sleep? - We will welcome
her in your place. (clock ticking) (hooves clopping) (gates screeching) (light music) (angelic music) (singing in foreign language) - Well now Bernadette, is that where to look
for your vocation? - Oh dear, please
pardon me, Mother. - Oh come now, what for? Just getting a bit tired? - A bit lost, above all. - But I am here, Bernadette. Give me your confidence. - All that I possibly can. (singing in foreign language) - You will take the
veil in 10 days. I've chosen your name. You are Sister Marie-Bernard. - Mother.
- Shh. (bell tolling) (somber music) - She will not last the night. The doctor is definite. - We're not worthy
of keeping her. The Lord only let us borrow her. - On the contrary, she is
one of us for all eternity. I agreed to let her
make professional
vows on her death bed. - Yet her spirit will remain
a secret to us, Mother. - That must be monsignor. (somber music) - You are about
to die, my child. - As God wills. - And I understand you
wish to profess your vows. I shall be happy
to receive them. - I'm not able to
form the words. - Then I shall
pronounce them for you. It will suffice to
say simply so be it. I, Sister Marie-Bernard, aspiring to consecrate myself
to God and the congregation of the sisters of charity
and Christian instruction established in the
diocese of Nevers under the authority
of Monsignor Forcade, make vows of poverty, chastity,
obedience, and charity in the manner prescribed by
the statutes of the order. I pray our Lord Jesus Christ
through the intercession of the Virgin Mary
to grant me the grace of accomplishing my vocation
with faith and humility. - So be it. - Pray with me, sisters, that we may all be gathered
together in the holy presence. Farewell, my child. - Mother Maria Therese, please
see Monsignor to the gate. - Her pulse is better. - I'm not going to die toinght. - [Sister] But the doctor said. - I know myself better
than the doctor. - My my, you confess you knew
that you wouldn't die tonight. And you nevertheless
led me disturb Monsignor at such an hour. I'm warning you that if you are not dead
by tomorrow morning, I shall lift your
vows of profession and you will return
to the novitiate. - You must do as your
feel best, Your Mother. God didn't want me,
you see, Sister Emily. I went there, right to
the gates of his mansion, but I was told
return, it's too soon. But now I'm a nun. I'm so happy. They can't send me away. - What's the matter, sister? - It isn't me, but
there's someone dying. Sister, I, somebody's about to die. Oh, sister.
(soft music) Mama. (dramatic music) (bells ringing)
(upbeat music) Good morning, sisters. - [All] Good
morning, Bernadette. - Good morning, my daughter. Good morning, children. Listen, everybody, the
Postulentes in my company have had a tiring voyage. They should get some rest. Please see that they're
shown to their quarters and take them
around the convent. - You are so lucky to have
been her childhood friend. - There you are. Go along now, meet
your companions. - Oh no, thank you sister. You know, I'd like to try
to recognize Bernadette all by myself.
- Shh. - Those are the eyes that
have seen the Holy Virgin. - What on earth are you doing? The Virgin only picked me
because I was the most ignorant. If she'd found
someone more ignorant, why she'd have
chosen her instead. You're finally
here, I'm so glad. So you've made up
your mind, Julie. How's everybody at home, Julie? - The whole family's well,
I'll tell you all the news. - Oh no, Julie, we're not
here to gossip, you know. - Look what you can buy in
all the shops around Lourdes. - How much does one cost? - Two cents.
(all laughing) - It's all I'm worth? - Wait a minute. I've got something
to show you too. - How tall the poplar trees are. - Whereabouts in
the grotto were you when the apparitions took place? - Here somewhere. Everything's different. I can't tell. - You seem to want to
forget all about it. - No, to be forgotten. Tell me, what do
you do with a broom? - (laughing) What a question. You use it to sweep with. - Then what? - Why, then you put
it in a cupboard. - That's exactly my story. The Virgin used me to sweep with and then put me in my cupboard. That's where I belong. And that's where I'll stay. - Please, Mother, I
like so much to see her. I've wanted to see her
since I was a little girl. - There she is. Sister Marie-Bernard. - This is the one? - (laughing) Why
yes, miss, I'm sorry. Just a tiny little one. But if our Mother will permit, I think I'm big enough
to show you the grounds. Come with us, Julie. - Tell me, do you
still like salad? - Why do you ask? - You remember when you had to
eat that grass at the grotto? - My, but it was bitter. But I promised to do
whatever she said. You always obeyed your
mother, didn't you? - Yes, but sometimes
I wondered why. - That's what I
learned in this place. One needs many humiliations to make a little
bit of humility. - Sister Maria Piadigaluchio. In finishing her novitiate, Sister Maria Piadigaluchio
is going for placement to the orphanage in Orleans where she will exercise the
functions she has chosen. With this, you will now have the key
to the kingdom of heaven. And if you do not become as pure as the little ones you care
for, you are sure not to pass. - Sister Marie-Bernard
Soubirous. What is Sister Marie-Bernard
going to be used for? - She unfortunately
is capable of nothing and she would only be a
burden wherever we send her. - So, you are as
useless as you said. - I'm afraid it's all
quite true, Monsignor. I'm good for nothing. - But then my poor child, what
are we going to do with you? And to what purpose was your
entry into the congregation? - That's just what I asked you when I was in
Lourdes, Monsignor. But you answered me
that it didn't matter. - Surely you must be
capable of something, boiling a pot of tea of
helping take care of the sick or peeling vegetables. - I'll try. - Well, then we shall allow her to stay here a
little while longer. I assigned to you
the duty of prayer. - Tea time. (Bernadette gasping) - Is it your asthma? - Don't tell anyone. I'm used to it. That was tougher. - Are you suffering veryy much? - Don't worry. It's nothing. - Why don't you pray to
Mother and have her cure you? - It's useless. She already said-- - What a dreadful thing
it is not to be able to catch your breath. - It's troublesome, but
when a strike rolls in, the soul itself isn't
able to catch its breath. - What, you mean you? - Shh. (soft music) - It's 12 years now
since I left you. The years pass as
if they were hours and the hours as
if they were years. My dear brother, it is time
for you to make a decision. Above all, I would not
want you to become a priest for any other reason but faith. I would rather you
became a rag picker. Tell all our relatives not
to seek riches or comfort. The humility of the poor
is the key to heaven. Don't worry about my health, but do pray that my
faith remain unfailing. There is nothing actually
wrong with my lungs. My illness is one which you
can live with a long time, just as you can die
of it in your sleep. So I put myself in
the hands of the Lord. Month. It's been a month, Mother,
since this obscurity began. Why is it? Why is it? - Maybe you are paying
for the privilege of room. When one fixes one's eyes
upon too bright a light, the brightness blinds
one for awhile. But blind people smile
and have courage. Do as they do, little sister. - I'll try. - And don't worry. Patience is a virtue
which has its rewards. You must wait. Even the most holy of saints
walked in darkness for a time. The holiest. - They had more force. I've got no reserves. I am nothing but a failure. - No, you're nothing but a baby. And the courage of your faith must be like a baby.
(bells tolling) It's time for mass. - The humiliation
of being carried. No. The grace of being carried. - What a little lazy bones
you are to stay in bed. - This isn't a better path. No one here in my chapel. I'm performing a service. - And what service
are you performing? - I'm being ill. - That's most useful
to the community. - I assure you it is, Mother. You know, springs alone are
not enough to warm the metal. You've got to have some rain. That's what I am. I see in your eyes that you
have bad news from me, Mother. Tell me quickly. - My poor little friend,
father paramount. - Oh my God. - The community is
assembled in the chapel. In prayer that his
soul may rest in peace. - His soul may rest in peace. But our souls do
not want only peace. They want light. Yes, light to see
by in the darkness. Jesus Christ, our Lord. Our Lord. - My poor child. - Please, Mother, will you send me Julie? I mean, Sister Vincent Garosse. She too was one of
his parishioners. Send her, please. (singing in foreign language) - Bernadette, father paramount-- - I know. Help me to put on
my clothes, Julie. - But you're ill. You can't walk. - I want to come pray for him. Quick. - In the chapel? - No, outside in the
wind, by the lake. It's there I'll find him. - But Bernadette. - I want to. Signora Portat. Signora Portat. Amen. (singing in foreign language) Mother. Mother Nathalie. You hear me? - Yes. Your voice came to me in chapel. What's the matter? - I'm afraid. - Afraid? - Afraid. I received all their graces
and I didn't make use of them. - [Nathalie] My dear sister. - I didn't have the
right to this privilege. Why was it me, who is nothing? Nothing. - That is the very reason. Sister Gabriel. - I'm all right, please
don't pay attention. If only you would
change my nurse. - But why? - Because you're not sleeping. - It's my duty.
- No, it's mine. - Let's try to change
her position, sister. - Hold on now. Don't move me now. Don't move me now. - You'll feel more comfortable. - Was he comfortable
on the cross? - Now now, don't you
say another word. - Why was the
miracle wasted on me? - Lay up not your treasures. (singing in foreign language) - Mother. Mother (gasping). Mother, quick! Hurry. - I was in chapel, I sensed
that you were calling. - I'm sorry, Mother. Please pray for me. Mother, pray for me. I'm thirsty. - Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art though amongst women and blessed is the
fruit of thy womb. - Jesus, Holy Mary,
Mother of God. Pray for me in the
hour of my death. In the hour of my. (singing in foreign language) (somber music) - [Narrator] Bernadette
is now a saint. And the humble card cardinal, who years later
blessed her shrine, himself of peasant stock, has become his
holiness, John XXIII, Vicar of Christ and
spiritual leader of over 500 million people. He has said of Bernadette, how luminous, the
example of that sanctity, which opened to such a
little and humble child the ways of the heavens. In the words of St. Paul, and the weak things of
the world has God chosen to put to shame the strong. (bright music)
