THE
CURE' OF ARS AND ST. PHILOMENA
The Cure' first came to
know of the wonderful power of Saint Philomena through a friend of his, Pauline
Jaricot, the foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the
Living Rosary, who in 1835 had been miraculously cured of a hopeless malady
through the intercession of Saint Philomena. Miss Jaricot offered him a part of
the precious relics of the saint which she had obtained from the shrine at
Mugnano, and the Cure' received them with intense joy. At once he set to work
to have a chapel erected in his church at Ars to enshrine them. The spot soon
became the scene of innumerable cures, conversions and miracles. Filled with
intense love for the little saint, he chose her as his special heavenly
patroness, and dedicated himself to her by vow. In season and out of season he
spoke of her, and recommended novenas to her for the countless intentions of
every kind which people referred to him. He earnestly admonished the sick to
pray to Saint Philomena. He would bless them and join them in the novena he had
instructed them to make, but always impressed on them that all cures were due
to the little saint, and that, after God, it was to her that all gratitude was
owing.
Filled with intense love for the little saint, he chose her as his special heavenly patroness, and dedicated himself to her by vow. Thousands of people came to the chapel of Ars on pilgrimage, for the purpose of invoking the aid of Saint Philomena in their necessities and trials. Tangible evidence, of the favors obtained, the miracles worked, the conversions wrought, the prayers answered, was to be seen in the votive offerings of every type which the grateful recipients of the favors placed at Saint Philomena's shrine. Due to the fervor of the Cure's devotion to Saint Philomena, and the numerous cures and favors obtained through her intercession, all France soon rang with her name. Every diocese had altars and chapels or churches dedicated to her. But devotion to her was not confined to France. Kings, queens, cardinals, bishops, priests, and a vast multitude of religious and faithful throughout the world acclaim her as their heavenly patroness.