AFTER THE APPARITIONS

Life for Bernadette was beginning to calm down and she eventually became a boarder at the Hospice and attended at the school for poor children run by the Sisters of Charity of Nevers during the six last years she spent in Lourdes before leaving for Nevers.

On 4^th July 1866 Bernadette left Lourdes for Nevers. On the evening of 7th July 1866, Bernadette crossed the threshold of St Gildard, Mother House of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers. On 29^th July 1866 Bernadette received the Religious Habit of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers and was given the name Sister Marie-Bernard. On 30^th October 1867 she completes her Religious Profession in the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers

For thirteen years Bernadette remained at St. Gildard, successively Assistant Infirmarian, in charge of the infirmary, and then Sacristan. In Nevers, through a humble life, she continued her devotion to Mary and the message she had been given. Often ill during the final stages of her life, Bernadette spent long periods of time in the infirmary.

Bernadette becomes ill once more and on 16^th April 1879 finally passes away.

Her body was exhumed in September 1909, in April 1919, then finally in April 1925, and on each occasion the body was found to be intact.

Since 3^rd August 1925 her body has been held in a shrine, in the Chapel of the Convent of St. Gildard at Nevers.

The body of Bernadette is, according to doctors, "mummified". Only a few relics have been removed. A very thin film of wax has been laid on her face and hands and moulded directly onto her features.