Philippa Mareri

Blessed 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 February 16. 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 centurŷ into the noble Mareri family, in the family castle at Borgo San Pietro, situated along the road that ran from Assisi to Rome, in the present-day commune of Petrella Salto. Her brother Thomas Mareri held important positions such as that of Mayor of Forlì,and imperial representative in Romagna and Apulia; He was largely responsible for the founding of the city of L'Aquila.

Of prime importance was Philippa’s meeting with St. 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 St Francis to the Blessed Roger Todi.

Cult

Philippa Mareri died on February 16, 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) first appears in a bull of Innocent IV in 1247, just 11 years after her death. In 1706 during an examination of her remains, it was found that her heart was incorrupt. This is preserved today in a silver reliquary, while her other remains are preserved in the monastery of Borgo San Pietro in the Valle del Salto. Today, nearly eight centuries after her death, the devotion to the Saint and the Pilgrimage Site has kept on growing not only in her homeland, but also in many other countries and other continents thanks to the initiative of many emigrants from the region.

The liturgical Memorial of Philippa Mareri falls on February 16. She is co-patron of Sulmona.