Saint Bernadette's Silence (I)

Bernadette was born in a mill, among the noise of grinding wheat. Her cries disturbed the baptism ceremony held on January 9, the day after her birth. Was this an omen of the suffering that life had in store for her? Should we at least see it as a symbol? Her godfather was baffled. On the way home from church he said, "She cries all the time. She will be naughty." But the wailing of a new born baby is not yet speech... Afterwards, many years passed before we can find the slightest echo of her voice. Bernadette did not leave us any of those admirable or silly childish words...