Born in Lourdes, France, Bernadette spent her entire life in weak health. She began seeing visions of the Virgin Mary at age 14 and facing opposition from her family and local priest, she spent the rest of her life in prayer secluded from the outside world until her death in 1879. Her visions were authenticated by Pope Pius IX in 1862, initiating the cult of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Other notable events on February 11th:
In 2011, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak steps down after nearly three decades in power during the Arab Spring.
In 1990, Nelson Mandela is released from prison after being incarcerated for 27 years.
In 1975, Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female leader of the British Conservative Party. She later became the first female Prime Minister.
In 1945, The Yalta Conference between the Allied leaders of World War II ends.
René Laurentin, Bernadette vous parle, tome 1, p.248
