Today is the feast day of Saint Bernadette. When I was a young girl I saw a movie about her life. The one thing that stuck with me was how this beautiful Saint died.
The film was The Song of Bernadette, a 1943 American adaptation of the novel bearing the same name. It starred Jennifer Jones in the title role. It was the relationship between Sister Vauzou and Bernadette that made the greatest impression on me. Sister Vauzou was emotionally abusive to Bernadette. She believed that Sister Bernadette had made the whole series of visitations up. She was young, beautiful, and as far as Sister Vauzou could see, had not suffered for God. Sister Vauzou had dedicated her life suffering in service to God. Why had she not been chosen instead? It was only at the end of the film that Bernadette revealed a tumor hidden under the skirt of her habit. Bernadette had tuberculosis of the bone, a condition that caused unspeakable pain, and yet she never complained. Others had been cured by the waters at Lourdes. When asked why she was not cured, Bernadette said the waters were sent to heal others, not her. Her call was to point the way. So often people think God’s chosen have it easier. Some come to God, and then turn away when life is not what they thought it would be. Suffering unites us to Christ in ways that a happy life does not. When everything is going well, we forget to give thanks to God. We forget to turn to Him. And yet there is a blessing that comes from pain, loss and suffering that can only be realized through our trials and tribulations. While not always easy, when we suffer, we need to remember place it on His alter. Allow Christ, through faith, to carry the heavier portion. That is not to say we can put our troubles on Him and skip away. We just need to learn to trust in Him, have faith in Him, and know that in the end there is a reason. While God did not inflict Bernadette with such a painful illness, through her quiet suffering, she glorified Him. When Sister Bernadette lay dying, she confessed to a priest that she often felt unworthy of Christ’s love and her one regret was that she might never get the chance to see the Lady again. It was at that moment Bernadette was visited one last time by the beautiful Lady who took her home to heaven.
These are the stories that have always guided my faith. We have so many examples of imperfect people capable of deep faith. And examples of great sinners who later came to know how forgiving our Father in heaven can be. In the saints there is hope. In hope there is faith. In faith there is Christ extending His hand. Lord, I am not worthy, but through You I am blessed.
Note: Johnsonville Hot Italian Sausage is my go-to brand. Not only is the flavor better than most, the packaging is enviormentally friendly.
Spicy Italian Sausage Rigatoni
8 oz Rigatoni Pasta
Salt to taste
1 lb Spicy Italian Sausage
1 (24 oz) jar Red Pasta Sauce
1 (16 oz) can Diced tomatoes
1/4 cup Red Wine
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Italian Cheese or as desired
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook Pasta al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain and keep warm.
While the water comes to a boil, heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray, set aside.
Brown sausage in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once browned, drain well. Return sausage to the skillet.
Add pasta sauce and diced tomatoes to the skillet. Pour red wine into the empty pasta sauce jar, swirl to collect any remnants of sauce, add to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and remove skillet from heat.
Drain Rigatoni, spread out into the prepared casserole dish. Ladle half of the sauce over the pasta, stir to blend well. Ladle remaining sauce then sprinkle with cheese. Place in the oven to bake until the cheese has melted and everything is warmed through, about 10 minutes or so.
Don’t forget the warm bread and a bottle of wine.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit He saves.
Many are the troubles of the just man,
but out of them all the LORD delivers him.
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