The Song of Bernadette Page #11

to be established in the mill.

There, he can practice the trade

for which he was meant...

...and your family can live

without fear of poverty.

No, no, no, no.

Bernadette.

Just one moment.

I've something more to say.

Although, as a member

of the commission, I shouldn't say it.

Now, mind you,

I have full faith in you...

...but there's always been one detail

which I never could help but doubt.

It's the words "Immaculate Conception".

If you could ever admit that this

phrase was not spoken by the lady...

...things might be very different.

If you could retract

this single incident...

...then there might be, somewhere

in this world, a little corner...

...where you could hide

and lead a normal life.

Would you like a little time

to think it over?

I don't need time, Your Reverence,

because I have never lied to you.

Did I speak of lying?

And...

...I don't want a little corner

to hide in.

Good day, Your Reverence.

[CROWD CHATTERING]

Bernadette.

May the patron saint of travelers

watch over you.

- Thank you.

WOMAN:
That's what we gave her!

Two will make my journey doubly safe.

Go along, Junior. Go along.

Go on, Junior.

I don't want to say it. It sounds silly.

You owe your life to Bernadette.

You say it exactly as I taught you.

GIRLS:
We're going to miss you.

- I'm going to miss you too.

Bernadette, if I live to be 100,

I shall never forget this hour...

...for it was you who snatched me

from the jaws of death and... Here.

A St. Christopher! How thoughtful.

LACADE:

Well, well, well, Bernadette.

I shall be only a moment.

I'm sorry to be late.

I was making a speech at the depot.

So my old and dear friend

is leaving Lourdes.

Bernadette, never will I forget those

first days of trial and tribulation...

...when practically we alone

stood side by side...

...facing a doubting world.

- Always, I'll remember...

- Pardon me, Your Honor.

The Sisters in the carriage

grow impatient.

And I've not yet said goodbye

to my family.

- Will you excuse me?

- Certainly, certainly.

Here's something to enjoy

on your journey.

- Thank you, monsieur.

- And this.

May the ever-watching

patron saint of travel...

...hover over your carriage

and guide you safely to your destination.

BERNADETTE:

Thank you, monsieur.

I...

...wanted to say goodbye in here.

[LOUISE SNIFFLES]

Keep well wrapped up,

and remember that...

Maman, I don't need a shawl.

Nonsense.

It'll be windy, and your asthma...

Louise.

This is no time to talk about shawls.

So much to say

and so little time to say it.

When the time comes,

one can say nothing.

One can only feel.

BERNADETTE:

Goodbye, Papa.

Goodbye, my child.

Goodbye, Maman.

Goodbye, Bernadette.

Say goodbye to Madame Nicolau and...

And her son.

Please, dear Sisters,

I know you've waited so long.

But may I have another moment?

We must reach Toulouse before dark.

Oh, nothing can happen to us.

Look, I have enough protection

for even the horses.

Very well, but hurry.

I said goodbye once this morning,

I know...

...but I have a little something

for you.

Don't worry, it's not a St. Christopher.

You have only four.

I blessed five this morning.

Someone must be late.

Bernadette...

...sometimes to express

certain things in a letter is difficult.

So wherever you may go...

...if ever you should need me...

...just send me this.

I shall understand and come immediately.

Your Reverence...

...if only you knew

how much this means to me.

Goodbye.

POMIAN:
Goodbye, Bernadette,

and God bless you.

For you, mademoiselle.

Monsieur, they are so beautiful.

I didn't come to say goodbye

with the others because...

...there was something

I wanted to tell you.

What was it, Monsieur Antoine?

Well, I...

I wanted to say...

Well, my mother is getting old.

She and I are used to each other.

We get along very well.

So I've decided never to take a wife...

...because a mother-in-law

and a daughter-in-law...

...well, that doesn't work out so well.

I'm going to stay unmarried too.

Well, that's what I

wanted to say to you.

And now I wish you luck

on your journey, Bernadette.

Goodbye, Antoine.

You are the postulant from Lourdes?

Yes, Mother Superior.

What is your name?

Soubirous. Bernadette Soubirous.

How old are you?

Just past 20.

What can you do?

Oh...

Nothing that amounts to much.

In the world, what would you like

to have been?

I always thought I could have been

a good servant girl.

Is that you, Sister Marie Therese?

Yes, Mother Superior.

This is the mistress of the novices.

Look to her for guidance.

This is Bernadette Soubirous,

a new postulant.

We know each other.

The postulant will start

in the kitchen tomorrow.

You will be asked to wash dishes,

scrub floors, sweep corridors.

In brief, do all the lowly tasks

that need to be done.

But, please observe,

I do not command you.

I am merely proposing this.

If you do not feel equal to it,

or if it is repellent to you...

...physically or spiritually,

I wish you would say so now.

Oh, no, Mother Superior,

I'm very happy to work in the kitchen.

Good. Sister Marie Therese

will show you to your cell.

With your permission...

...there is one other matter

to be considered.

The postulant bears a name which

has made a great noise in the world.

But among us,

great names have no meaning...

...although they may have been acquired

through far greater effort.

We disassociate ourselves

from all we have meant to the world...

...and all it has meant to us.

Moreover, the name "Bernadette"

is a childish and trivial diminutive.

Quite right.

Before actually entering

upon your novitiate...

...you will want to choose

another name.

Under the circumstances,

it would be best to do so now.

Have you given the matter any thought?

No, I haven't.

What was your godmother's name?

Bernarde.

Then surely you'll be happy to bear

the name of Marie Bernarde, my child.

SISTER:

This way, Marie Bernarde.

[ORGAN PLAYS]

[WOMEN SINGING]

This cell is not to your liking,

Marie Bernarde?

Yes, Sister, it is quite to my liking.

You will learn to be comfortable in it.

A convent is no prison.

No force is exercised here.

If you do not feel capable

of our obedience...

...you will find the door is always open.

Good night, Marie Bernarde.

Good night, Sister.

SISTER:

Marie Bernarde.

Yes, Sister?

What are you thinking about?

About my family.

Worldly remembrances

have no place in this house.

We're here

for the purpose of concentration.

Not for reverie and woolgathering.

Yes, Sister.

- You find this work repellent?

- Oh, no, Sister, I...

Then let's show our willingness to serve

God and not hesitate in our tasks.

Yes, Sister.

Sister Marie Bernarde is limping.

Yes, I've noticed it.

I'm afraid it is a worldly desire

to become the center of attention.

I shall speak to her.

Sister Marie Bernarde.

- Come here, please.

BERNADETTE:
Yes, Sister.

I wish to speak with you.

Certainly, Sister.

Would you have me finish prayers first?

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