Philippa Mareri
Philippa Mareri | |
---|---|
Blessed | |
Born | 1190/1200 Petrella Salto |
Died | 1236 Assisi |
Venerated in | Catholicism |
Beatified | 1247 | by Innocent IV
Feast | 16 February |
Philippa Mareri was born in 1190/1200 and died in 1236. Beatified in 1247, her sanctuary is in Borgo San Pietro, a frazione of Petrella Salto. Her feast day is 16 February. She was the foundress of the monastery of Franciscan Sisters of Saint Philippa Mareri or Poor Clares.
Biography
Philippa Mareri was born towards the end of the 12th century into the noble Mareri family, in the family castle at
Of prime importance was Philippa’s meeting with Francis of Assisi, who introduced her to the monastic life. Her family tried to prevent this choice, so Philippa fled from home along with some companions and took refuge near Mareri, above the village of Piagge, in what is now called the "Grotto of Saint Filippa", and stayed there about three years, until 1228 when her two brothers gave her the castle with the annexed church of San Pietro de Molito.
Philippa moved in with her companions and lived according to the rule of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi and the nuns of the Church of San Damiano, Assisi.
The spiritual care of the monastery was entrusted by Francis to
Cult
Philippa Mareri died on 16 February 1236 and her tomb became a place of pilgrimage, while there began to be registered many miracles attributed to her intercession. The title of ‘Santa’ (Saint)
The liturgical Memorial of Philippa Mareri falls on 16 February. She is co-patron of Sulmona.
Notes
- ^ Despite the usual appellation "santa", officially she is considered only "blessed"
Bibliography
- Mario Sgarbossa, I Santi e i Beati della Chiesa d'Occidente e d'Oriente, 2nd Edition, Edizioni Paoline, Milano, 2000, ISBN 88-315-1585-3. p. 102