WHAT THE POPES THINK OF ST. PHILOMENA
However, what seems to be the most significant feature in the devotions to our Saint is that, ever since the finding of her relics, Pope after Pope, not content with lavishing honors on her, has one after the other cherished a particular and tender personal devotion to the wonder-working Little Saint.
When the sarcophagus containing her relics was discovered in the Catacombs, the usual rigorous precautions ordained by the Ritual were stringently enforced, with the object of securing the greatest possible accuracy and preventing the smallest danger of error in all that concerned the newly discovered heroine of the Faith.
The astounding and constant prodigies which were worked through her intercession attracted universal attention and focused all eyes on the Thaumaturga, while at the same time they aroused the bitter hostility and called forth the scathing sarcasm of sceptics and unbelievers. But in the wonderful ways of God, this adverse criticism eventually redounded to the greater glory of St. Philomena, for it caused the ecclesiastical tribunals to be still more vigilant in accepting and examining the various facts alleged in favor of or contrary to the devotion. As a result of the increased vigilance, an absolute guarantee was secured of the genuineness of all that had been recounted of the Saint. It is eminently consoling that, of all the tributes paid to her, the most touching and eulogistic have come from the Sovereign Pontiffs themselves.
Leo Xll, over and over again, expressed the highest admiration for the extraordinary power conferred by the Almighty on this hitherto unknown child Saint and listened with delight to the accounts given him of the wonders she worked. So authentic did he account the information he received and so irrefutable the facts related to him that, notwithstanding the extreme care which the Church usually takes in such matters, he had no hesitation in allowing altars to be dedicated and chapels to be erected in her honor.
Gregory XVI was himself a witness of the great miracle of Mugnano, the cure of Pauline Marie Jaricot. He visited her in Rome before her departure for Mugnano and verified for himself the desperate condition in which she lay. On her return to Rome Miss Jaricot was received by the Sovereign Pontiff with the warmest affection. He did not conceal his amazement, exclaiming: "Is this, indeed, our daughter, or is it a vision from the other world?"
Though profoundly touched by what he himself declared to be "a miracle of the first class," he in nowise relaxed the rigorous laws of the Roman tribunals. On the contrary he commanded the Sacred Congregation of Rites to proceed at once to a thorough investigation of the cause. The difficulties that had arisen were carefully analyzed; the doubts that had been raised were sifted to the utmost. All the facts -- from the discovery of the relics in 1802 to the latest miracles worked by the Saint -- were subjected to the minutest scrutiny, and this by the most experienced and keenest experts in Rome. After a protracted examination, the Sacred Congregation gave a full and favorable decision in favor of the cult of the Saint. Yet the Holy Father, notwithstanding his own personal love for St. Philomena, spent two more years in prayer and deliberation before making his final announcement.
At last, to the great delight of the Saint's devoted clients, among whom were numbered several distinguished bishops, archbishops and cardinals, the solemn approval of the Church was made public. This was so complete and conferred so much glory on the Saint that it most amply compensated for the delay which had occurred.
The Pope was not content that St. Philomena should be raised to the honors of the altar and that her feast be established and her office given to the Church; he went much further and declared her to be "the Great Wonder-Worker of the XIXth century," thus giving the Church's solemn sanction to those marvelous prodigies alleged to have been worked by the Saint and effectually silencing the self-constituted critics who had taken on themselves to ridicule her cult in the face of overwhelming evidence.
Not long after, the same Holy Father gave the Saint the new title of "Patroness of the Living Rosary."
As a last act of devotion and with the object of manifesting his personal affection for the Holy Virgin, the Pontiff sent a magnificent gold and silver lamp to her Sanctuary in Mugnano.
Pius IX was perhaps of all the Popes the one who showed most special devotion to the Saint. When Archbishop of Spoleto he was already her devout client and earnestly spread her devotion. Later on, when Archbishop of Imola, he fell dangerously ill, and the greatest fears were entertained for his life. Near his bedside stood a beautiful image of his dear Saint, who was heard to rap distinctly, as she sometimes does when about to perform some great miracle. Immediately, favorable symptoms were noticed in the patient, and these speedily developed into rapid convalescence. Years rolled by, and the Archbishop became the immortal Pontiff, Pius IX, of Papal Infallibility and the Immaculate Conception fame.
Far from forgetting his dear Patroness when raised to the throne of St. Peter, this great Pope availed himself of his supreme power to shed still greater luster on the name of St. Philomena.
To the intense joy of the inhabitants of Mugnano, he went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of his benefactress, where he was solemnly received by the Bishop of Nola, the King, Queen and all the members of the Royal family of Naples. He said Mass on the altar of the Saint and afterwards publicly venerated her relics. He also declared her to be the secondary "Patroness of the Kingdom of Naples." In the year 1849 he named St. Philomena "Patroness of the Children of Mary."
He granted her, later on, a proper office, which is such an extraordinary privilege that rarely or never has it been granted to any other Saint under similar circuмstances.
When dying, the aged Pontiff sent a most beautiful offering to Mugnano, the last touching tribute of his love and gratitude.
Leo XIII, before becoming Pope, made two pilgrimages to Mugnano. Later on, when Vicar of Christ, he sent a valuable cross to the Sanctuary. He approved the Confraternity of the Saint and raised it to the rank of an Archconfraternity, enriching it with important indulgences.
Pius X was no less devout to the Little Saint, to whom he sent by special envoy a magnificent gold ring and other costly presents. He was always pleased to hear of the wonders she worked, as the writer himself knows by experience, for in a private audience which it was his great privilege to have with the Pope, the Holy Father spoke most affectionately of the Little Saint.
When the seal of God's infallible Church is placed on a devotion and when Christ's Vicar on earth gives it his own solemn approbation, it becomes at once worthy of our profoundest respect and reverence. What then must be thought of a devotion that Pope after Pope has not only sanctified by His supreme authority, but recommended by his own personal example and love? Surely nothing is more consoling for the clients of St. Philomena than that the Vicars of Christ themselves should so clearly manifest their belief in her wonder-working powers of intercession.
- from "St. Philomena the Wonder-Worker"
Topic: St. Philomena (Read 1444 times)