Philomena_Rosary St.
Philomena, Patroness of the Living Rosary
Pauline's "Miracle at Mugnano" Pauline
Jaricot suffered from advanced heart disease which increased with time
until her closest friends recognized that death was imminent. In March
of 1835 , this illness had serioulsy affected her heart, and in
proportion as it increased, the palpitations became so violent that
they could be heard at a distance and caused her unmistakable agony. At
this time Pauline decided to travel to Rome to seek an audience with
the Pope and to get the Holy Father's blessing (the ambition of her
life) then on to Mugnano, where the relics of St. Philomena were
enshrined, in hope of a cure.
A journey to Rome meant traveling by coach over the Alps, through wild and abandoned stretches of country, a long dangerous journey even for those in a normal state of health. But Pauline set out. Her
arrival in Rome was reported to the Holy Father, Pope Gregory XVI, who,
being informed of her state, resolved to go in person to this young
woman who had done so much for Holy Church. This was truly an
extraordinary honor, and likewise an unspeakable consolation to
Pauline. The Holy Father was most kind and gracious. He thanked her
repeatedly for her work in behalf of the Catholic Church, and blessed
her over and over. He asked her to pray for him when she got to heaven,
and Pauline promised. Then she asked: "Holy Father, if I come back well
from my visit to Mugnano, and go on foot to the Vatican, will your
holiness deign to proceed without delay with the final inquiry into the
Cause of Saint Philomena?" "Yes, yes, my daughter," replied the Pope, "for that would be a miracle of the first class." {Pope Gregory XVI} "Yes,
yes, my
daughter," replied the Pope, "for that would be a miracle of the first
class." Turning then to the superior of the Sacred Heart nuns, the Holy
Father continued in Italian: "How ill our daughter is! She seems to me
as if she had come forth from the grave. We shall never see her again.
She will never return." Pauline understood, but only smiled
confidently. The Pope blessed her anew before taking his departure, and
turning to Cardinal Lambruschini, who had accompanied him, bade him
pray for her and grant her all the indulgences possible. Suddenly a flood of hot tears burst from her eyes, color came back to her cheeks, a healthy glow spread over her benumbed limbs. Pauline,
when certain of her cure, remained silent for a short while lest the
enthusiasm of the crowd be too vociferous. But the Superior of the
convent, surmising the truth, ordered all the bells to peal in
announcement of the miracle. The people were frantic with joy, and
shouted over and over; "Long live Saint Philomena! Long live our dear
saint! Long live the good French lady!" As Pauline made her way back to Rome, large crowds gathered at the various stopping places and shouted: "A miracle! A miracle!" Pauline
had
not informed the Holy Father of her cure, the more to enjoy his
surprise when she should present herself before him. All in the Vatican
who had heard of her were astounded on learning of her cure. The Pope,
above all, was struck with amazement on seeing her before him in
perfect health. His Holiness would not have believed the reality, had
he not seen her with his own eyes. At her request he granted the
privilege of building a chapel in honor of Saint Philomena. |