THE GREAT MIRACLE OF MUGNANO
Pauline-Marie Jaricot was the favorite daughter of wealthy French
parents from whom she inherited a vast fortune. Her beauty was striking and
singled her out in the most fashionable gatherings as the object of admiration.
She was clever, bright and gay, gifted with an attractive personality, and had
a generous, effusive nature. Notwithstanding the allurements of pleasure and
flattering admirers, Pauline's heart was turned to things of the spirit rather
than to the things of the world, though the combat between the things of
God and the call of the world was long and fierce. Grace, however, triumphed
and Pauline will be remembered for all times as the foundress of three
important modern associations. Two of them render great financial aid to the
missions, enabling them yearly to enrich the Church by gathering into it many
abandoned souls by fostering its inner life. These associations are:
first, the Society for
the Propagation of Faith which, in an incredibly short time, she placed on so firm basis
that the new life and vigor were given to the existing missions and the mission
apostolate was extended to a wider field; second, the Association of the Holy Childhood which annually rescues countless
infants from the degradation of paganism. Though not the sole foundress of the
latter, she played an important part in its establishment. The third is the Living Rosary, the fruits of which are incalculable. This
association of prayer was founded in 1826,received its formal character in
1832, and had over five million members in France in 1842.
Although Pauline had previously suffered from the ailment which was the matter of her cure, it was in March 1835 that disease showed unmistakable signs of becoming greatly aggravated. Her malady affected her heart, and in proportion as they increased, the palpitations became so violent that they could be heard at a distance and caused her unmistakable agony. A slight movement or change of position was sufficient to send her blood rushing so violently back to her heart that she almost suffocated. Her breathing seemed to cease and her pulse became imperceptible. Drastic remedies had to be applied to restore her. The abnormal dilation of her heart compressed the lungs, making her breathing a torture. In part of her chest, a cavity had been gradually formed by the violent palpitations, and when she attempted to swallow food, it would lodge there, causing still greater danger of suffocation. The doctors made two openings in her side in a vain effort to check the progress of the disease. In consequence, she was reduced to such a state that it seem that death was not far off.
Although Pauline had previously suffered from the ailment which was the matter of her cure, it was in March 1835 that disease showed unmistakable signs of becoming greatly aggravated. Her malady affected her heart, and in proportion as they increased, the palpitations became so violent that they could be heard at a distance and caused her unmistakable agony. A slight movement or change of position was sufficient to send her blood rushing so violently back to her heart that she almost suffocated. Her breathing seemed to cease and her pulse became imperceptible. Drastic remedies had to be applied to restore her. The abnormal dilation of her heart compressed the lungs, making her breathing a torture. In part of her chest, a cavity had been gradually formed by the violent palpitations, and when she attempted to swallow food, it would lodge there, causing still greater danger of suffocation. The doctors made two openings in her side in a vain effort to check the progress of the disease. In consequence, she was reduced to such a state that it seem that death was not far off.
During several years of torture, Pauline had been accorded only short interval
of relief. One followed a novena to St. Philomena, after she had learned of her
great power with God. At the mere mention of the saint's name, Pauline
experienced intense joy, and was filled with longing to visit her shrine. But
such thing seemed impossible, for the sanctuary was at a great distance from
France and Pauline was unable to bear the least fatigue. Acting under a strong
inspiration, however, she attempted a journey to the Sanctuary of the Sacred
Heart in Paray-le-Monial, after eliciting from her doctor the
information that her state was so desperate that nothing she could do mattered
much one way or the other. The members of the Living Rosary were
praying for her and, by God's Providence and contrary to the expectations of
all, she survived the trip. Then she said to herself, “This first journey did
not kill me, so let me go to Rome and get the Holy Father's blessing.” This was
the ambition of her life.
A journey to Rome meant traveling by coach over the Alps, through wild and abandoned stretches of country, along dangerous journey even for those in a normal state of health. But Pauline set out. The pain she endured was excruciating. In Cambery, her courage almost gave out and she resigned herself to die far from home and the Vicar of Christ. For two days, she was unconscious. The pupils in the convent school of that town made a novena to St. Philomena for her recovery. At its conclusion, she was much better and continued her journey. The snow was deep and the progress was slow. On the summit of Mt. Cenis, France, a pass between the French and Italian Alps, such a glorious view burst upon the gaze of the travelers that they stopped to contemplate it. Suddenly, a beautiful child appeared - no one knew whence. He approached the carriage, smiled sweetly at Pauline, gave her a beautiful white rose which exhaled a delightful perfume, and then disappeared. The guides had never seen the child before. They likewise declared that no such flowers were to be found in those regions of Alphine snow. To Pauline, this strange apparition and gift proved to be a great consolation.
A journey to Rome meant traveling by coach over the Alps, through wild and abandoned stretches of country, along dangerous journey even for those in a normal state of health. But Pauline set out. The pain she endured was excruciating. In Cambery, her courage almost gave out and she resigned herself to die far from home and the Vicar of Christ. For two days, she was unconscious. The pupils in the convent school of that town made a novena to St. Philomena for her recovery. At its conclusion, she was much better and continued her journey. The snow was deep and the progress was slow. On the summit of Mt. Cenis, France, a pass between the French and Italian Alps, such a glorious view burst upon the gaze of the travelers that they stopped to contemplate it. Suddenly, a beautiful child appeared - no one knew whence. He approached the carriage, smiled sweetly at Pauline, gave her a beautiful white rose which exhaled a delightful perfume, and then disappeared. The guides had never seen the child before. They likewise declared that no such flowers were to be found in those regions of Alphine snow. To Pauline, this strange apparition and gift proved to be a great consolation.
Pauline suffered serious relapse in Loreto, Italy, but after a few days
she railed and resumed her journey. She arrived in Rome in an almost unconscious
state. The nuns of the Sacred Heart received her with great commiseration. Her
weakness was now so extreme that it is impossible for her to leave the convent.
It seemed that after such long and difficult journey, she was not to realize
her aim of obtaining the blessing of the Pope.
But the Holy Mother of God and St. Philomena did not forsake her. 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 Miss Jaricot. 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 to do so. 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 St. Philomena?”
“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 form the grave. We shall never see her again. She will never return.”
But the Holy Mother of God and St. Philomena did not forsake her. 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 Miss Jaricot. 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 to do so. 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 St. Philomena?”
“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 form the grave. We shall never see her again. She will never return.”
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 in Mugnano on the eve of the Feast of St. 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. They cried out, “St. Philomena, you must cure her! She has done so much for God and for the Madonna, you must cure her!” Then, knocking on the Saint's shrine, they repeated in seeming threats: “Do you hear, St. Philomena? You must cure her or we will invoke you no more!” Their noise almost deafened Pauline.
The next morning, the feast of St. 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 invalid chair on which she was lying and carry it out of the church. But she recovered enough consciousness 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, and healthy glow spread over her benumbed limbs. Her soul was filled with celestial joy. She thought she was about to leave the earth for Heaven. But it was not death, St. Philomena had cured her! She was still to live many years to toil for God and His Church.
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 St. 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 St. 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 place 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 those 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 St. 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.
VENERATION OF ST. PHILOMENA FORMALLY APPROVED
The Church's solemn sanction of the veneration of St.
Philomena was formally given by Pope Gregory XVI after the Sacred Congregation
of Rites had thoroughly investigated the case and the reputed miracles had been
attested and proven. The Pope was himself a witness of the “Great Miracle of
Mugnano,” the cure of Pauline Jaricot. Though profoundly touched by what
himself declared a 'miracle of the first-class,” he in no wise relaxed the
rigorous laws of the Roman Tribunals. He took immediate steps, however, as he
had promised Miss Jaricot that a thorough study should be made by the Sacred
Congregation of Rites, and the Cause of St. Philomena began. All difficulties
and doubts standing in the way of the Church's approval were resolved after a
careful sifting of evidence by the keenest experts. Only after protracted
examination did the Sacred Congregation give favorable report authorizing
devotion to the saint. The Holy Father, however, notwithstanding his own love
and personal devotion to the saint, waited and prayed two more years before
allowing her the honors of the altar. He also named the saint as Patroness of
the Living Rosary. Soon after this honor, the saint was officially canonized by
the Catholic Church in 1837.
The principal feast of St. Philomena is kept on August 11th. It was formerly observed on August 10th, the day of her martyrdom and of the translation of her relics to Mugnano, but the Church has changed it to 11th, out of respect for Saint Lawrence whose feast is celebrated on the 10th throughout the entire world. In addition to this, there are two feast in her honor, namely, the Finding of her Relics, May 25th, and the feast of her Patronage, the second Sunday in January.
The principal feast of St. Philomena is kept on August 11th. It was formerly observed on August 10th, the day of her martyrdom and of the translation of her relics to Mugnano, but the Church has changed it to 11th, out of respect for Saint Lawrence whose feast is celebrated on the 10th throughout the entire world. In addition to this, there are two feast in her honor, namely, the Finding of her Relics, May 25th, and the feast of her Patronage, the second Sunday in January.