circa 1890, by an unknown photographer. Saint Bernadette, born Marie-Bernarde Soubirous (January 7, 1844 – April 16, 1879), was a miller's daughter from the town of Lourdes in southern France. Her Occitan name is Maria Bernada Sobirós, aka Bernadeta (little Bernada). From February 11 to July 16, 1858, she reported eighteen apparitions of "a Lady." Despite initial skepticism from the Catholic Church, these claims were eventually declared to be worthy of belief after a canonical investigation, and the apparition is known as Our Lady of Lourdes. After her death, Bernadette's body remained incorrupt, and the shrine at Lourdes went on to become a major site for pilgrimage, attracting millions of Catholics each year. On December 8, 1933 she was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church; her Feast Day is celebrated on April 16. (from Wikipedia)