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.

By now it was August and exceedingly hot. The party set out for Mugnano, traveling by night to avoid the great heat of the day. They arrived at Mugnano on the eve of the feast of Saint Philomena. Vast crowds had assembled to celebrate the feast. When they learned who Pauline was and what was her purpose in coming, they were greatly excited.

The next morning, the feast of Saint Philomena, Pauline received Holy Communion near the shrine of the saint's relics. She suffered frightful pains all through her body, and her heart beat so violently that she fainted. The crowds thought that death had taken her, and so loud was their outcry that those who were with Pauline attempted to take up the special chair on which she was lying and carry it out of the church. But she recovered consciousness enough to make a sign to leave her near the relics. Suddenly a flood of hot tears burst from her eyes, color came back to her cheeks, a healthy glow spread over her benumbed limbs. Her soul was filled with celestial joy, and she thought she was about to leave this earth for heaven. But it was not death. Saint Philomena had cured her! She was still to live many years to toil for God and His Church.

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!"

Pauline lingered for some days at the shrine in thanksgiving and when at length she departed, she took with her a large relic of Saint Philomena, encased in a life-sized statue of the saint. This was clothed in royal robes and given the place of honor in the carriage. As Pauline made her way back to Rome, large crowds gathered at the various stopping places and shouted: "A miracle! A miracle!"

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.

In order to investigate the miracle thoroughly, the Pope commanded Pauline to remain in Rome for one full year. During this time Pauline obtained from the Holy Father many privileges for the Living Rosary. At the end of the year, Pauline returned with his blessing to Fourvieres, France.