Bernadette, Our Lady's Little Servant
Hertha Pauli
Georges Vaux (Illustrator)
ISBN 9780898707601
This volume is I believe the fifth ever published in the Vision Books for Young Readers series. There are currently 40 titles in print from Ignatius that brought many of the original books back into print and has since expanding the series with new offerings. There were 72 original volumes released between 1955 and 1967 and Ignatius has added 9 new titles to the series since the year 2000. This title originally released in 1956 and was reprinted by Ignatius in 1999. It should be noted this volume has been published under this title Bernadette, Our Lady's Little Servant and also Bernadette and the Lady.
I love the Vision Books for Young Readers, and this is another excellent offering in this great series.
The current Ignatius description of this book states:
“This is the story of the girl to whom the Blessed Virgin appeared as "a little young lady" and revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception. Bernadette Soubirous lived with her family in the abandoned jail of the little French village of Lourdes, never dreaming that the very name of Lourdes would one day bring inspiration and hope to millions. Bernadette studied her Catechism, took care of her brothers and sisters, and gathered firewood – and no one knew she was a Saint. But one day, as she was gathering wood, Our lady appeared. Within a few weeks, thousands were kneeling in the field to pray to the Lady who could be seen and heard only by Bernadette. This was the beginning of one of the greatest Marian Shrines of modern times and of the miracles with which Our Lady blessed her children. Illustrated.”
The original description was:
“This is the story of the girl to whom the Blessed Virgin appeared as "a little young lady" and revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception.
Bernadette Soubirous lived with her parents, brothers, and sisters in the abandoned jail of the little French village of Lourdes, never dreaming that the very name of Lourdes would one day bring inspiration and hope to millions. Bernadette studied her Catechism, took care of her brothers and sisters, and gathered firewood—and no one knew she was a Saint. But one day, as she was gathering wood, Our Lady appeared. Within a few weeks, thousands were kneeling in the field to pray to the Lady who could be seen and heard only by Bernadette.
This was the beginning of the greatest pilgrimage of modern times and of the miracles with which Our Lady blessed her children. And all Bernadette could say was, "If Our Lady could have found a greater fool than I, she would have chosen her. ..."
Bernadette and the Lady is the little story of the great miracle of Lourdes.”
About the series in the first edition we are informed:
“Each new Vision Book adds another exciting life story to this rich collection of biographies for Catholic youngsters. Written by wellknown authors in sparkling, lively language, Vision Books are based upon careful research and historical fact. Imprimatur.”
About the author we are informed:
“Hertha Pauli, actress and author of wellknown books for children, was born in Vienna. Now an American citizen, she has lived and traveled in many countries of Europe. The land of Bernadette is especially significant in her life since it was in Lourdes that she and a group of other Europeans found refuge in their 1940 flight from the Nazis. It seemed miraculous that the invading Nazi Army stopped just short of Lourdes, and now, with deep faith and warm affection, Hertha Pauli recreates the story of Bernadette and the Lady.”
And she contributed two volumes to this series. I have read a few volumes about Saint Bernadette and Lourdes over the years and I am always blessed and challenged by them.
The chapters in this volume are:
1. Wood-gathering
2. Rockslide
3. Promises
4. Grotto Duty
5. Heartburn
6. Muddy Water
7. Messages
8. The Procession
9. "I Am -"
10. At the Crossroads
11. Farewell Across the River . . . .
12. The Other World
Typically when I read a vision book, I highlight several passages. I was so fascinated working through this one I find I did not highlight any passages, much to my surprise.
There is a lot we can learn from Saint Bernadette, and how she lived her life. She can be an example to us no matter our stage of life or age, and also no matter our vocation. Her simple approach; and trust is inspiring and challenging. I have read this at a time of transition in life, changing roles at work, moving because our landlord sold the house we rent, and other changes. It inspired me to pray and trust differently through this season. I have randomly been reading the books in this series, this one was perfectly timed for me, now, and at this place. This excellent volume will inspire and challenge readers of all ages.
I love this book and series! My two youngest both teenagers enjoy the Vision Books, I am in my fifties and I love them, those Ignatius brought back in print, the new expansions of the series, and the originals I can lay my hands on that Ignatius has not licensed. This was a title early in the series and I am thankful to have read it. It would be an excellent volume for any home, school, or church library!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books about Saint Bernadette and Lourdes:
Bernadette, Our Lady's Little Servant - Hertha Pauli and Georges Vaux - Vision Books
…
Books in the Vision Books Saints Biographies:
The Cure of Ars
Edmund Campion
Florence Nightingale's Nuns
Fr. Marquette and the Great Rivers
Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi
Kateri Tekakwitha
Mother Cabrini, Missionary to the World
Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity
Saint Anthony and the Christ Child
Saint Catherine Laboure and the Miraculous Medal
Saint Dominic and the Rosary
Saint Elizabeth's Three Crowns
Saint Francis of the Seven Seas
Saint Helena and the True Cross
Saint Ignatius and the Company of Jesus
Saint Isaac and the Indians
Saint Katherine Drexel
Saint Louis and the Last Crusade
Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart
Saint Therese and the Roses
Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Preaching Beggars
Saint Thomas More of London
Vincent De Paul: Saint of Charity
…
Out of Print books in the Series:
Catholic Campuses, Stories of American Catholic Colleges
Champions in Sports and Spirit
Children Welcome: Villages for Boys and Girls
Christmas and the Saints
Columbus and the New World
Dear Philippine: Mission of Mother Duchesne
Edel Quinn: Beneath the Southern Cross
Frances Warde and the First Sisters of Mercy
Good Pope John b
Governor Al Smith
In American Vineyards, Religious Orders in the United States
John Carroll Bishop and Patriot
John Neumann, The Children's Bishop
Kit Carson of the Old West
Lydia Longley, the First American Nun
Marguerite Bourgeoys, Pioneer Teacher
Martin de Porres, Saint of the New World
Modern Crusaders
More Champions in Sports and Spirit
Mother Barat's Vineyard
My Eskimos: A Priest in the Artic
Peter and Paul: The Rock and the Sword
Peter Claver, Saint Among Slaves
Pope Pius XII, the World's Shepherd
Rose Hawthorne: The Pilgramage of Nathaniel's Daughter
Saints of the Byzantine World
Sarah Peter: The Dream and the Harvest
St. Augustine and His Search for Faith
St. Francis de Sales
St. Gregory the Great, Consul of God
St. Jerome and the Bible
St. Margaret Mary, Apostle of the Sacred Heart
The Bible Story, The Promised Lord and His Coming
The Cross in the West
The Ursulines, Nuns of Adventure
…
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