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.

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