Bernadette Speaks: A Life of St. Bernadette Soubirous in Her Own Words

by René Laurentin

Father René Laurentin, one of the preeminent Marian theologians of our time, has conducted extensive research for over twenty years on the apparitions at Lourdes that forever changed Bernadette Soubirous life. The culmination of his work is contained within this masterpiece factual account that reads like a novel. Translated from French to English for the first time, this fascinating biography covers the entire life of the visionary and messenger of the Immaculate Conception, accompanied by over 100 photographs.

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Faith, Religion, France, Spirituality, Theology

665 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Father René Laurentin was a French theologian. He is widely recognized as an expert in the field of Mariology and is the author of numerous books and scholarly articles on topics including Marian apparitions such as Lourdes and Medjugorje; visionaries and mystics including Bernadette Soubirous, Thérèse de Lisieux, Catherine Labouré, and Yvonne Aimée de Malestroit; as well as biblical exegesis, theology, and Vatican II.

Reviews

[Maggie Lunsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite the thick book with some moments of repetition, but also a really great resource to learn about St. Bernadette. I feel like I really got to know Bernadette and have a glimpse into her spirituality. I feel inspired by her simplicity and her realness. Definitely recommend.

[John Sester, LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. It was precise and detailed, as a historical account should be.

I would, however, find it hard to suggest this work to someone who didn't already have a strong devotion to the Saint. The text can become dry and repetitive at points, especially if the reader doesn't have a real love and authentic devotion to Bernadette before they begin reading it. Personally, I was curious enough to keep plowing through and felt I couldn't get enough, desiring to know more and more about my sister religious in heaven. I give it a five-star rating not because it is the thriller of the century, but because René Laurentin accomplishes perfectly what he sets out to do, create a complete and historical account of the life of St. Bernadette Soubirous.

Some reviews said that this book reads like a novel. I agree that at some points it does (especially when telling certain anecdotes from her life), but at other moments it becomes rather tedious as there are several accounts repeating the same questions to poor Bernadette over and over again. (I suppose this could help the reader understand how annoying this was for Sour Marie-Bernard herself when she was interrogated time and time again about the apparitions at Lourdes...)

I believe that anyone who loves Bernadette and has the fortitude and perseverance to make it through this 600-page volume, will not feel it was a waste of time. I profited very much spiritually as I read this book and I felt Bernadette very close to me.
Per Regnum Christi Ad Gloriam Dei!

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernadette, now a saint in the Catholic Church and who's body is still undecayed after 150 years is a facsinating person. This book gives a better picture of who the real Bernadette was not the glitter person some books show. She tells her own story as found in notes, letters, memories and official documents. Bernadette saw the Blessed Virgin in the 1850s and she is where the famous "Lourds" comes from and the miraculous cures so well documented. But this book deals more with who Bernadette was as person. There is a lot more depth to her than I realized. This is a big book but I found it got better as I got further into it. She was a quiet girl and and very humble yet had fantastic insight into the spiritual world. This is a keeper and one I will read over and over. She offers some real guidance to walking in the spiritual way.

[Faris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant biography. The great thing about this book is it avoids hagiography, which is rare for a saint’s life storytelling. It sticks to the facts and witnesses without being biased. It lets the reader decide on how they could connect with Bernadette’s life. This is how every saint story should be told.

[Sumangali Morhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real treasure, meticulously researched and carefully presented. Laurentin has endeavoured to stand back and let Saint Bernadette speak for herself as much as possible. At first glance this seems like a rather hefty textbook, but Bernadette comes to life so clearly in the pages, the result is enthralling. She feels accessible not only through the relative recency of her life (1844-1879), but also through her very human struggles, her simple background and her pragmatic nature. I had trouble putting this book down.

[Marci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a saint's biography that does read more like a novel. A lot of research went into this novel, and it shows because there's now a fluidity that is otherwise unheard of.

The ending drags on a little bit, but I loved this book. Definitely would recommend.

[David Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the book. I liked the focus being on written records.

But did I miss something? I did not see any reference In this book to Bernadette’s tuberculosis until just a few days before her death. This is a disease she suffered with for years, going back to perhaps her late teens. In one exam she was asked why she could not stand steady on one foot. It is very possible that Bernadette was standing on her bad leg at the time. Furthermore there is frequent references to her coughing up blood, which again might have been the result of the tuberculosis.

Though we will never know, one of her secret messages might have told her that her tuberculosis could not be cured.

[John Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Fr. Laurentin makes no effort to hide his distaste for the spirituality of Bernadette’s time and place, this book nonetheless reads as a thorough and prayerful meditation on the sanctification of a soul. I recommend paring it with “A Holy Life: The Writings of St. Bernadette of Lourdes” by Patricia McEachern.

[Kathy Lama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books about the saints. This is definitely a favorite that I will read again.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome! Best book on St. Bernadette.

[Chance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an in-depth study of Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes. I now feel as if I can see Bernadette clearly for the first time, and let me tell you, she is one cool sister.

[Dedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

uhhhhh....buku ini tebal banget,
butuh waktu 1 bulan untuk membacanya.
ceritanya sangat bagus.
cuma sedikit membingungkan.

[Anne Bernier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book on the life of St. Bernadette. Many of her own words are used and interviews given by those who knew and lived with her.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and inspiring first-hand account of her life, great faith, and beautiful encounters with The Immaculate Conception in Lourdes.