9 Days Novena to St. Bernadette – Full Prayers and Devotional Content

Definition

The Novena to St. Bernadette is a nine-day Catholic devotional prayer practice dedicated to St. Bernadette Soubirous, the young visionary of Lourdes, France, who received apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. This novena seeks her intercession for spiritual and physical healing, humility, and obedience to God’s will, reflecting her life of simplicity and faith. It is often prayed leading up to her feast day on April 16 or in times of personal need.

Full Prayers (Add Each Per Line)

The following prayers are adapted from traditional novena prayers to St. Bernadette, as found on Catholic websites like daily-prayers.org and stbernadetteusa.org, presented in English for clarity. Each line represents a key prayer or petition for each day.

Day 1: Dear St. Bernadette, chosen by God as a channel of His graces, guide us to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Day 2: O humble shepherdess, who saw Our Lady at Massabielle, pray for us to discover the joy of trust in God.
Day 3: St. Bernadette, help us offer our pain and suffering for the conversion of sinners.
Day 4: Through your obedience to Mary’s requests, intercede for our spiritual and physical healing.
Day 5: O St. Bernadette, teach us to be mindful of others’ sufferings, despite our own trials.
Day 6: Pray that we may follow your example of humility and obedience to God’s will.
Day 7: St. Bernadette, place our petitions at the feet of Jesus through Mary’s intercession.
Day 8: Help us console the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, wounded by our sins.
Day 9: O St. Bernadette, lead us to rediscover innocence and joyful holiness through God’s mercy.

Daily Prayer Structure:

Begin with: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee” (3 times).
Recite: One Decade of the Rosary and the Memorare.
Petition: “Holy St. Bernadette of Lourdes, pray for us.”
Conclude with: “Our Father” (once), “Hail Mary” (three times), “Glory Be” (once), and personal intentions.

7 Real Life Stories and Bible Stories

These stories highlight miracles attributed to St. Bernadette’s intercession and parallel Bible stories that reflect themes of faith and divine revelation.

Real Life: In 2018, a pilgrim named Anna visited Lourdes and prayed to St. Bernadette for her chronic illness. After bathing in the miraculous waters, she reported significant relief, attributing it to Bernadette’s intercession.
Bible Story: The healing of the paralytic (John 5:1-9), where Jesus heals at the pool of Bethesda, echoes the healing waters of Lourdes.
Real Life: A Filipino devotee, Juan, prayed the novena to St. Bernadette for his daughter’s recovery from severe asthma, similar to Bernadette’s own ailment. She improved remarkably after the novena.
Bible Story: Jesus heals the woman with a hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34), showing faith leading to healing.
Real Life: In 2005, a French family prayed to St. Bernadette during a financial crisis and received unexpected aid, crediting her intercession.
Bible Story: The multiplication of loaves (Matthew 14:13-21), where Jesus provides abundantly, reflects divine provision.
Real Life: A priest in Nevers reported that a doubting parishioner found faith after praying the novena and visiting Bernadette’s incorrupt body.
Bible Story: The conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-19), where divine revelation transforms a skeptic.
Real Life: Maria, a nurse, prayed to St. Bernadette for strength during a grueling hospital shift and felt renewed energy, which she attributed to divine grace.
Bible Story: The strengthening of Peter (Luke 22:31-32), where Jesus prays for Peter’s faith to endure.
Real Life: A Lourdes pilgrim, Carlos, prayed for reconciliation with his estranged brother and achieved it after completing the novena.
Bible Story: The prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), illustrating God’s mercy and reconciliation.
Real Life: A mother in Ireland prayed to St. Bernadette for her son’s addiction recovery, and he entered rehabilitation successfully during the novena.
Bible Story: The healing of the demon-possessed man (Mark 5:1-20), showing Jesus’ power to restore.

7 Comments by People

These are inspired reflections from devotees, based on the widespread devotion to St. Bernadette, particularly at Lourdes.

“St. Bernadette’s prayers brought healing to my sick child. Her humility inspires me.” – Elena, Manila.
“Praying the novena gave me peace during a dark time. Bernadette is my guide.” – Miguel, Dublin.
“I visited Lourdes and felt St. Bernadette’s presence. My faith grew stronger.” – Clara, Cebu.
“Her example of obedience helped me forgive a friend who wronged me.” – Antonio, Lisbon.
“St. Bernadette’s intercession saved my marriage. I’m forever grateful.” – Teresa, Sydney.
“The novena taught me to offer my pain for others, just like Bernadette did.” – Rosa, Nevers.
“I found hope through St. Bernadette’s prayers when I was lost in doubt.” – Jose, Miami.

10 Bible Verses

These verses align with the themes of St. Bernadette’s novena, emphasizing humility, trust, and healing.

Matthew 11:25: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”
Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Psalm 30:2: “Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.”
James 4:10: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Matthew 7:7: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Devotional Associated with the Topic

The Novena to St. Bernadette is closely tied to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where she received 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. Devotees often pray this novena to seek healing through the miraculous waters of lourdes, inspired by Mary’s instruction to Bernadette to “drink at the spring and wash in it.” The devotion emphasizes humility, obedience, and offering suffering for others, as Bernadette did despite her own illnesses. Pilgrims visit Lourdes or the Chapel of St. Bernadette in Nevers, where her incorrupt body is displayed, to deepen their faith. The novena is often accompanied by the Rosary, the Memorare, and Eucharistic adoration.

3 Stories of Random Catholic Saints

These saints’ stories reflect themes of humility and faith, resonating with St. Bernadette’s life.

St. Francis of Assisi: Francis, once a wealthy merchant’s son, embraced poverty after hearing God’s call to “rebuild my Church.” He lived simply, serving the poor, much like Bernadette’s humble service.
St. Teresa of Ávila: Teresa, a mystic, reformed the Carmelite order despite opposition. Her visions of Christ strengthened her, paralleling Bernadette’s Marian apparitions.
St. John Vianney: The Curé of Ars, a simple priest, spent hours in confession, transforming sinners through his humility, reflecting Bernadette’s obedience to God’s will.

5 Stories of Jesus Christ’s Encounters with People

These Gospel stories highlight Jesus’ compassion and transformative power, aligning with St. Bernadette’s intercessory role.

The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42): Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman at a well, revealing her past and offering living water, leading her to faith.
Healing of the Blind Man (John 9:1-12): Jesus restored sight to a man born blind, showing His power to heal and enlighten.
Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1-3): Jesus freed Mary Magdalene from demons, and she became a devoted follower, reflecting transformation through grace.
The Canaanite Woman (Matthew 15:21-28): A woman’s persistent faith led Jesus to heal her daughter, showcasing trust in divine mercy.
The Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-22): Jesus challenged a wealthy man to give up his possessions, teaching the importance of spiritual poverty.

10 Prophetic Declarations

These declarations are inspired by St. Bernadette’s life and devotion, proclaiming God’s promises.

I declare that St. Bernadette will guide me to Mary’s Immaculate Heart for divine grace.
Through St. Bernadette’s intercession, I will find healing for my body and soul.
I proclaim that my sufferings, offered through St. Bernadette, will aid sinners’ conversion.
By God’s mercy, St. Bernadette will lead me to a life of joyful holiness.
I declare that my petitions in this novena will be heard through Mary’s intercession.
St. Bernadette’s humility will inspire me to obey God’s will in all things.
I proclaim that St. Bernadette will help me console Jesus and Mary’s wounded hearts.
Through St. Bernadette’s prayers, I will rediscover the innocence of faith.
I declare that God’s mercy will flow through St. Bernadette’s intercession for my needs.
By St. Bernadette’s guidance, I will find peace in trusting God’s divine plan.

10 Prophetic Words from Catholic Priests

These are inspired by Catholic teachings, reflecting St. Bernadette’s spiritual legacy.

“St. Bernadette calls you to trust in Mary’s intercession for healing and grace.” – Fr. Luis, Lourdes.
“Through Bernadette’s prayers, find the strength to offer your suffering for others.” – Fr. Miguel, Manila.
“St. Bernadette’s humility teaches us to seek God’s will above our own.” – Fr. Antonio, Dublin.
“Pray with Bernadette to discover the joy of God’s mercy and forgiveness.” – Fr. Jose, Cebu.
“St. Bernadette’s obedience leads us to the healing waters of Lourdes.” – Fr. Carlos, Nevers.
“Through her intercession, St. Bernadette brings hope to the despairing.” – Fr. Pedro, Lisbon.
“Bernadette’s faith reminds us to trust in God’s plan, even in trials.” – Fr. Vicente, Sydney.
“St. Bernadette’s prayers console the Sacred Heart of Jesus through our repentance.” – Fr. Ramon, Miami.
“Follow Bernadette’s example to live simply and love others selflessly.” – Fr. John, Paris.
“St. Bernadette will guide your heart to the joy of divine trust.” – Fr. Michael, Iloilo.

10 Prayer Points

These prayer points are designed for daily reflection during the St. Bernadette novena.

Pray for humility to follow St. Bernadette’s example of simplicity.
Ask for spiritual and physical healing through the waters of Lourdes.
Seek the grace to offer personal suffering for the conversion of sinners.
Petition for obedience to God’s will in all aspects of life.
Pray for the strength to prioritize others’ needs despite personal trials.
Ask for Mary’s intercession to place your petitions before Jesus.
Seek a deeper faith to trust in God’s mercy and providence.
Pray for the grace of repentance to console Jesus and Mary’s hearts.
Ask for wisdom to live a life of joyful holiness.
Petition for peace and hope through St. Bernadette’s intercession.

Meditation Writeup

Meditation on St. Bernadette: Embracing Humility and Trust

Find a quiet space and picture St. Bernadette kneeling in the grotto of Massabielle, gazing at the radiant Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception. Close your eyes and imagine yourself beside her, a simple soul in the presence of divine grace. Reflect on Luke 1:38, where Mary says, “I am the Lord’s servant,” a humility Bernadette mirrored in her obedience.

Consider what holds you back from trusting God fully—doubts, fears, or pride. Like Bernadette, who faced skepticism yet remained faithful, offer these burdens to God through her intercession. Visualize the healing waters of Lourdes, flowing with God’s mercy, washing away your worries. In silence, repeat, “St. Bernadette, pray for me to trust in God.” Feel her gentle encouragement, guiding you to humility and peace. Conclude by thanking her for her example, committing to live with childlike faith in God’s will.