Bernadette of Lourdes (1844-1879), a young peasant girl, saw 18 visions of the Virgin Mary, in a grotto in Lourdes, France. These visions, and the curing waters that still flow there, led to the creation of a religious shrine that millions visit each year. Bernadette later became a Roman Catholic nun, and was canonized as a saint in 1933.

On January 7, 1844, in Lourdes, France, Marie Bernarde Soubirous was born to Francois and Louise (Casterot) Soubirous. She was the eldest of their six children (three other children died as infants). According to the Catholic Online website, "because of her small stature, she was always referred to by the diminutive form of her name, Bernadette." As a child, she was considered cheerful and pleasant, but was malnourished. She was also sickly, suffering from asthma her entire life.

As noted by Brother Ernest in his bookOur Lady Comes to Lourdes, in the...