"The Miracle at Mugnano"
Pauline Marie Jaricot was the favorite daughter of wealthy
French parents. Her beauty was striking and she was gifted with an attractive
personality and an effusive nature. Notwithstanding the allurements of
pleasure and flattering admirers, Pauline's heart was turned to things
of the spirit rather than to 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 important modern associations including The Society for the
Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary.
Although Pauline had previously suffered from the
illness that was the matter of her cure, it was in March, 1835, that the
disease showed unmistakable signs of becoming greatly aggravated. This
illness 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. 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.
During several years of torture, only short intervals
of relief had been accorded. One followed a novena to Saint Philomena,
after she had learned of her great power with God. At the mere mention
of the saints name, Pauline experienced intense joy, and was filled with
a longing to visit her shrine. But such a 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 at 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
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.
During several years of torture, only short intervals
of relief had been accorded. One followed a novena to Saint Philomena,
after she had learned of her great power with God.
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. The pain she endured
was excruciating. At 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 Saint Philomena for her recovery. At its conclusion she was much better
and continued her journey.
Pauline suffered a serious relapse in Loreto, Italy, but
after a few days rallied and resumed her journey. She arrived in Rome in
an almost unconscious state. The nuns of the Sacred Heart received her
with great kindness. Her weakness was now so extreme that it was impossible
for her to leave the convent. It seemed that after such a 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 Saint 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. 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." 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."
But the holy Mother of God and Saint Philomena did not
forsake her.
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.
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.
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 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!"
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.
Click here
to visit the Pauline Marie Jaricot home page.
Back
to St. Philomena.
Back
to Home Page...