What year did the Virgin Mary appear to St. Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France?
Beginning in 1858, the Virgin Mary appeared St. Bernadette Soubirous numerous times. St. Bernadette was only 14 years old the first time Mary appeared to her. Mary revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked St. Bernadette to build a chapel, and told her to drink from a fountain in the grotto.
There was not a visible fountain, but when Bernadette dug in the designated spot, a spring began to flow. Water from this spring has demonstrated remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that identifiable by man.
