SAINT BERNADETTE SOUBIROUS, born in Lourdes, France , is visionary and messenger of the apparition known as Our Lady of Lourdes. She reported 18 apparitions which the Church eventually declared to be worthy of belief after a canonical investigation. She died at the age of thirty five and was canonized saint on December 8, 1933. She is the patron saint of the sick. Her feast day is celebrated on April 16.