Early Life and Struggles

Saint Bernadette was born into a large family on January 7, 1844, in an environment marked by poverty. She was the eldest of nine children, and her family's financial difficulties intensified to the point that they lived in a basement, previously a jail, which they referred to as 'the dungeon.' Her health was fragile from a young age, suffering from asthma and other ailments, which hindered her ability to receive a formal education. This context of hardship greatly influenced her character and prepared her for the extraordinary experiences that would later define her life.