The Song of Bernadette

[CHURCH BELL RINGING]

Soubirous.

Soubirous.

- If you go early, maybe you'll find work.

- Hmm.

SOUBIROUS:

Bonjour, Monsieur Maisongrosse.

MAISONGROSSE:

No work for you today.

How can I hire anybody when

there isn't enough to keep me busy?

People don't go to bakers anymore.

No, they go to pastry cooks,

because it's stylish.

Why don't you try the hospital?

The man doing odd jobs

moved to Tarbes yesterday.

[SPEAKS IN FRENCH]

Take that stuff clear out to the dump at

Massabielle and burn every bit of it.

It's full of infection and disease.

Why did Christ found the Church?

Christ founded the Church to teach,

govern, sanctify and save all men.

How long did he live on Earth?

Christ lived on Earth about 33 years

and led a most holy life in poverty.

That is correct, except you've omitted

the last and most important word:

"In poverty and suffering".

Never forget that, my child.

For only through suffering can we hope

to gain the kingdom of God.

What is the Holy Trinity?

I said, what is the Holy Trinity?

Didn't you hear me?

Yes, Sister, I heard you,

but I know nothing about it.

Have you ever heard of it?

Maybe I've heard of it.

You puzzle me, my child.

Are you pert, indifferent or only stupid?

I'm stupid, Sister.

I have a poor head for study.

You're also pert.

You're a grown girl, Bernadette,

the oldest in the class.

Ignorance of the Holy Trinity

is inexcusable.

Go to the foot of the class.

What is it, Marie?

I just wanted to say that

my sister Bernadette was sick...

...the day the class learned

about the Holy Trinity.

She misses school a lot.

- She's always ailing.

- What ails her?

They call it "atma" or some such name.

You're trying to say "asthma"?

Yes, Sister.

That's what Dr. Dozous calls it.

She can't breathe.

Sometimes she sounds just like this:

[GIRLS GIGGLING]

[STICK BANGING]

SISTER:
Laughter wastes valuable time.

Return to your studies.

Toinette, perhaps you can tell Bernadette

what the Holy Trinity is.

The Holy Trinity is one God

in three divine persons.

God the Father, God the Son

and God the Holy Ghost.

PEYRAMALE:

Sister Marie Therese, bonjour.

SISTER:

Bonjour, Father Peyramale.

Bonjour, children.

GIRLS:

Bonjour, Your Reverence.

PEYRAMALE:

I was passing, I thought I'd stop in...

...to see how many you were preparing

for First Communion.

Six. We were just having a review

of our catechism.

Well.

You all know your catechism?

Yes, Your Reverence.

To learn your catechism

requires great diligence.

I believe such diligence

should be rewarded.

I have some holy pictures.

Would you like one?

Yes, Your Reverence.

Very well.

- Here you are.

- Thank you, Your Reverence.

- As you grow older...

- Thank you.

...you will realize

that in learning your catechism...

...you have given yourselves not only

a foundation of religious teachings...

...but also a doctrine...

- Thank you.

PEYRAMALE:
To guide you...

...throughout your lives.

SISTER:

I'm sorry, Father...

...this girl is not deserving.

It is unfair to the others.

They have studied their catechism.

She has not.

Well, that's too bad.

I'm sorry.

This should be an incentive to you, then.

Study hard.

You found work?

Twenty sous.

From the baker?

Where, then?

SOUBIROUS:

Don't ask me.

- You didn't beg?

- Worse.

The stinking filth from the hospital

had to be carted away and burned.

That's the kind of job

they give to Soubirous.

This is where they let him live.

Soubirous the miller,

who made the finest flour in Escoubes...

...lives in a jail

that is too cold and damp for prisoners.

Not good enough

for thieves and murderers...

...but for Soubirous and his family,

sure, let them live here.

Let them freeze in the winter

and roast in the summer.

Let them get sick and die.

Who cares?

BERNADETTE:

Come in, Jeanne.

Maman, Jeanne came along.

She's going to help me

with my studies.

All right, there's always enough

for one more.

- Sit down.

- Oh, please don't.

I'm not a bit hungry.

I'll just watch the others.

Father, Son, Holy Ghost,

he who eats the fastest gets the most.

Justin!

- Where did you learn that?

- You'll go to hell for saying that.

All I said, the one that eats the fastest

gets the most, and it's true.

Now you've said it again.

I've seen pigs with better manners

and cleaner faces.

Get up from the table

and wash yourselves, both of you.

Oh, a mass meeting, eh? How can

anybody sleep with such racket?

- We're sorry, Papa.

- It's cold in here. Fix the fire.

LOUISE:

There's no wood.

So I'm to get the wood too.

I work hard all day long.

All I ask is a little peace and warmth.

What do I get? Cold and chills.

Must I do everything around here?

I'll go hunt for wood, Papa.

- May I go with Marie?

- No, you'll do no such thing.

- You know how easily you catch cold.

- But if I dress warm?

- Please?

BOY:
Maman! Maman!

All right, all right.

Only, wrap up good.

Maman! Can I go too?

- No!

- Oh, but please, Maman!

You'll stay and spend the day

asking God for forgiveness...

WOMAN:

Louise!

- Louise!

- What's wrong?

The baby! The convulsions again.

What do I do?

- Help me!

- Be calm, Croisine.

- Go back. I'll be over.

- Please come with me now.

- Can I go with you and look?

- No!

You stay here with your brother.

You can ask for a little forgiveness too.

I want you girls back before dark.

JEANNE:

Come on, Bernadette.

MARIE:

Hurry up!

The last one over the bridge is a goose!

[GIGGLING]

Hola, Bernadette.

BERNADETTE:

Good day, Madame Nicolau.

- Are your parents well?

- Yes, very well, thank you.

And how is your son, Monsieur Antoine?

ANTOINE:

Splendid, thank you...

...and Mademoiselle Bernadette?

I'm well, thank you, monsieur.

Well, I'd better hurry on.

My sister will wonder about me.

May I use your bridge?

- As often as you like, and no toll charge.

- Thank you, monsieur.

ANTOINE:
You better let me help you.

That bridge is not so dependable.

Thank you, monsieur.

You're very kind.

Goodbye.

ANTOINE:

Goodbye.

She's growing into a fine young woman,

isn't she?

Marie!

Marie!

Jeanne!

I thought it was the devil himself.

MARIE:
You should've seen your face.

JEANNE:
Nothing but eyes and mouth.

- You'd be scared too.

- There's the wood.

Come on, follow me.

We'll wade across.

MARIE:
That's private property.

- What if it is?

BERNADETTE:

If we take wood, we'll be stealing.

Wood is wood.

Don't be such a fraidy cat.

BERNADETTE:
I'm not a fraidy cat.

- Yes, you are too.

Come on, Marie. Let's go.

[SCREAMS]

It's cold!

[SCREAMING]

It's freezing!

Hurry up.

MARIE:
Bernadette,

don't you come in that water.

Remember what Maman told you.

- I won't catch cold.

MARIE:
Won't you?

You'll get a cough and your asthma

will keep me awake all night long.

Maybe I can jump

across the rocks or something.

MARIE:

Yes, and tumble in.

If you fall in

and get your bottom wet...

...don't ask me to wring you out.

But if I dry my feet real well,

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