Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

The Soubirous family lived in the far north of the little town of Lourdes, in
the Lapaca district. A large stream flowed there, and on this stream there were
seven mills; one of them known as the Boly Mill, and this had been the residence
of the Soubirous. Francois Soubirous leased the mill from relatives of his wife,
Louise. In many ways, it was the trade of the miller that had brought the couple
together. They had married on the parish church on 9th January 1843. By 1855,
the family income had decreased drastically - trade was not good at the mill,
and the Soubirous were not the best of business people; often filled with pity
for the poor of the local people, they would tell their customers to pay when
they were able to, and they never refused credit. And of course there was the
family to raise, which further drained their resources. No longer being able to
pay for the rent of the mill, the Soubirous were forced to quit their dwellings,
give up the millers trade and take on whatever work they could find for
themselves. Francois Soubirous recalled that another relative owned a building
in the Rue des Petits Fossés - this building was the former Lourdes jail. The
old jail was locally known as "the Cachot". The Soubirous were allowed to remain
there rent-free. Each evening, the family gathered around the old fireplace for
family prayers. This concluded with the recitation of the Rosary - often led by
one of the Soubirous...

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

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