October 18 - Pauline and Saint Philomena
Seeing Pauline in Rome in agony, Pope Gregory XVI recommends himself to her prayers as soon as she has arrived in heaven. Pauline replied, Yes, Most Holy Father, I promise you that. However, if on my return from Mugnano I were to walk to the Vatican, would your Holiness deign to proceed without delay to the definitive examination of the cause of St. Philomena? The Pope answered, Yes, yes, yes, my daughter, because then there would be a miracle of the highest order! The pope promised everything, being sure that he would not have to do it. Then, he said in Italian to the sister superior, undoubtedly of the nuns of the Sacred Heart of the Trinity of the Mounts, friends of Pauline, It looks like she is coming out of the tomb. She will not come back. (Catherine Masson, Pauline Jaricot, op. Cit., p. 314)
On her way back from Mugnano to Rome, Pauline goes to the Vatican. The Pope could not believe his eyes. He asked Pauline to walk back and forth, giving thanks to God, who had done wonders for her. Pauline then asked the pope, if she can fulfill her vow to erect a chapel to St. Philomena. Yes, my daughter, he replied. We will push forward the study of the cause. He would authorize her cult on January 13, 1837. (Catherine Masson, Pauline Jaricot, op. Cit., p. 316) Gregory XVI kept Pauline in Rome for almost a year so that the miracle of her healing could be observed. During her stay in Rome, Pauline had several meetings with Gregory XVI, which Cardinal Luigi Lambruschini usually attended. He was the former nuncio of Paris who became cardinal on September 30, 1831 and Secretary of State in 1838, who obtained the solemn approval of the Living Rosary from Pope Gregory XVI. The trials and dangers of the Church in France were the topic of conversation at these meetings. Pauline was happy to take advantage of her stay by visiting the city of Rome, the Vatican. She also took the time to write various texts, especially her autobiography. It was also during this period that the Living Rosary was affiliated with the Dominican Order (see Catherine Masson, Pauline Jaricot, op. Cit., p. 317).
Leaving Rome for Florence and Bologna on May 25, 1836, Pauline passed through Loreto and made a promise to herself to return. Her return to Lyon was hailed as a miracle and she resumed her work. She was 37 years old, but by her demeanour and dress, she could be taken for a nun. David Lathoud would write that Pauline had an intelligent countenance and saintly eyes that projected ecstatic flames of holiness (Catherine Masson, Pauline Jaricot, op. Cit., p. 317).
At the Lorette house, Pauline commissioned Abbé Rousselon to have a chapel erected in honour of St. Philomena in recognition of her healing at the saint's tomb. This chapel was soon built near the Saint-Barthélemy rise. The small chapel seated about twenty people, was built by the architect Antoine Chenavard (1787-1883) and modeled after the church in Mugnano. It was consecrated in November 1839. Pilgrims could come there to pray at any time without having to pass through the house or the property.
After her return in 1836, Pauline traveled forty kilometers to the village of Ars, carrying a relic of St. Philomena, composed of fragments of the saint’s humerus. The parish priest, St. Jean-Marie Vianney, appreciated Pauline's return to good health. His heart melted with gratitude to God for this miracle, but he showed no astonishment, for he knew well that everything is a miracle that comes from God. They remain silent for a moment. Two years had passed since their last meeting. Pauline, who had been waiting for this blessing for so long, was overjoyed. (Jean Barbier, The priest of Ars and Pauline Jaricot, Lyon, Ed. & Imprimies du Sud-Est, 1952, p. 90-91). The priest received “the remains of the Greek Virgin with inexpressible joy. He laughed and cried and told Pauline that he will display the relics in his church.” (Jean Barbier, Le curé d´Ars et Pauline Jaricot, op. Cit., p. 92). This virgin is often presented as a Greek princess who came to Rome, was desired by Diocletian for her beauty, but was promised to Jesus Christ by a vow of virginity. When she refused to give into the desires of the emperor, she paid for her insubordination with a terrible death (see Jean Barbier, Le Curé d'Ars and Pauline Jaricot, op. Cit., p. 76.) In Mugnano, In Mugnano, St. Philomena was vnerated above all for her miracles and for her martyrdom for the faith.