Memorial of Blessed Philippa Mareri

Saint Philippa was born into the noble Mareri family at the end of the 12th century, in their castle in the Province of Rieti. Initiated by St Francis to the life of perfection in the years 1221-1225, she made the resolution to consecrate herself to God with such determination that neither the pressures of her relatives, nor the threats of her brother Thomas, nor the demands of suitors could remove it. Like Clare of Assisi, she fled from home together with some companions and took refuge in a cave near Mareri, today known as 'Grotta di S. Filippa' and remained there until 1228, when the two brothers Tommaso and Gentile, with a notarial instrument dated 18 September 1228, donated to her the castle they owned with the Church of S. Pietro de Molito, today Borgo S. Pietro. The Saint moved there with her followers and in the new residence organised and directed the cloistered life according to the programme outlined by St. Francis for the Poor Clares of San Damiano. The spiritual care of the Monastery was entrusted to Blessed Ruggero da Todi by St Francis himself. Under his guidance the Monastery, founded by St. Philippa, became a school of holiness and the Foundress a teacher of spiritual life. The main occupation of the community was worship and praise of God, liturgical life, reading and Bible study. Alongside spiritual activity, work was held in high regard along with the service of the poor and the apostolate. Medicines were prepared in the monastery to be distributed free of charge to the sick. With her words but above all with the fervour of her charity and her lifestyle, modelled on the school of the Saint of Assisi, she revived some pages of the Gospel in a world that had forgotten them.St Philip died on 16 February 1236. Her tomb soon became a place of pilgrimage and graces and heavenly favours bestowed by God through the intercession of his servant began to be recorded. In 1706, the recognition of her mortal remains was carried out and her incorrupt heart was found, preserved today in a silver reliquary.

Above the tomb

Saint Philippa Mareri is the first saint of the Second Franciscan Order, the Poor Clares. The title of Saint appears for the first time in a Bull of Innocent IV issued in 1247, when only ten years had passed since her transitus. 750 years have passed since her death, and devotion to the Saint has grown not only in her homeland but in numerous other countries and on other continents through the initiative of emigrants; who under the protection of Saint Philippa found support and comfort in difficulties and made her known to other populations. It is not infrequent today that they return to the altar where her tomb is located to express their appreciation and gratitude to her.

Although she is officially referred to as 'Blessed', popular devotion and her sisters have always given her the appellation of Saint.

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