A Drury Professor Examines the Life of a Saint

By Lindsay Westbrook, University Communications

Dr. Patricia McEachern’s second book, A Holy Life: The Writings of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, has been published by Ignatius Press and is scheduled to appear in fall 2005. A Holy Life is a translation of Saint Bernadette Soubirous’ firsthand account of what she experienced when the Virgin Mary appeared to her in Lourdes, France. This groundbreaking book offers English readers the opportunity to read the writings of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes in her own words. In addition to translating Saint Bernadette’s writings, Dr. McEachern wrote introductions to each of the letters in order to provide readers with an historical context.

In translating Bernadette’s writings, McEachern felt compelled to share with readers Saint Bernadette, “the most secret of saints,” as she truly was.

“It is only in her writings that we can begin to realize the depth of Bernadette’s spirituality,” says Dr. McEachern. “The story of her courageous struggle for holiness is perhaps as extraordinary as her visions of Our Lady of Lourdes.”

Bernadette Soubirous was born in January of 1844. The oldest daughter of a miller and a laundress, Bernadette was raised in extreme poverty. Members of the Soubirous family sought employment opportunities in other areas of France, including the young Bernadette. However, she returned to Lourdes when she was fourteen years old to attend a free school run by the Sisters of Charity and Christian Instruction to finish learning Catechism in order to receive her first communion. That same year, she was collecting firewood with a friend and her sister, when she saw eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary.

Her days followed with many miraculous occurrences, including healings and additional visions. In one instance, Bernadette was having a vision while holding a lighted candle. It burned down while she was entranced and the flame was in direct contact with her skin for more than fifteen minutes, but she showed no sign of experiencing pain. This was witnessed by numerous people, including a doctor, who timed it. When the vision was over, the doctor examined her hand, finding she was not burned at all.

At 35, she contracted tuberculosis and died in1879. She was canonized in 1933 for her simple life and piety. St. Bernadette became the patron saint of the sick and of Lourdes.

While on sabbatical in France, Dr. McEachern stayed at the Convent of St-Gildard in Nevers, where Bernadette lived and died. She also stayed in Lourdes. Bernadette’s writings had been compiled by André Ravier, S.J. from archives located in about eight different places in France, which McEachern drew heavily from as she translated.

“Each day,” says McEachern, “I rose early in the morning and spent my day in what gradually began to feel like an intimate conversation with a great saint. The cumulative effect of witnessing her humility, courage, honesty and valiant struggle for holiness in spite of great suffering and constant obstacles was what had the greatest impact on me.” The biggest challenge for Dr. McEachern was obtaining the copyrights necessary from France after the book had been accepted for publication.

“It required eight months of patience, tenacity and hard work just to identify the person who had the authority to say ‘yes,’” she explains.

Her first choice for a publisher was Ignatius Press because they publish aesthetic, intelligent books on spiritual subjects. They have also published C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Thomas à Kempis, G. K. Chesterton, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. She thinks most people will be interested in her book.

In regards to those who will appreciate her book, McEachern says, “anyone interested in knowing Bernadette as she truly was, in her own words will appreciate the what her writings reveal: a humble soul, with her own human frailties, who sought holiness.”

McEachern has already begun a book on another great saint, but is keeping the details private for the present. In addition, she is revising a children’s book that she wrote a few years ago.