In order to fulfil her desire for a religious life Bernadette Soubirous joined the Sisters of Charity at St. Gilard in Nevers on 7 July 1866. She remained here for 13 years where she committed her entire life to God and others.
Bernadette died on 16 April 1879, at the age of 35 and her body was buried in the chapel garden. Her body was discovered intact in 1909 and in 1925 was transferred to rest in a shrine in the Chapel of St. Gilard, where it still rests today.
Saint Bernadette was canonised on 8 December 1933 by Pope Pius XI. “Many pilgrims and tourists of all nationalities come to St. Bernadette…she never ceases to tell us;” ‘God is our father, he has an infinite tenderness for each of us’. “
