Letter to the devotees after the celebration of 25 May 2023
Dearest Family of Saint Philomena,
this year we celebrated the discovery of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena in the most spiritual and spectacular way. When I first invited Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle here for this special feast day, I never thought he would radiate spirituality in this way. Just as the miraculous statue of Saint Philomena exuded Manna in 1823, which this August will mark 200 years. The day of 25 May 2023 continued to pour out blessings.
The day began with Holy Mass and prayer at 8:00 at the Altar of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena, which lit the spiritual fire for the rest of the day. A great sense of peace and love filled the Shrine as we prayed together before the body of Saint Philomena found in the catacombs of Priscilla in Rome in 1802, members and leaders of the Archconfraternity, citizens and devotees gathered on this special day.
I then joyfully welcomed a school of children and told them the story of Saint Philomena; it is always a great blessing to speak to children, and so fitting today that this Saint of the catacombs protects and guides children. Holy Mass followed at the main altar of the Shrine, followed by prayers to our great Saint. I welcomed a group of devotees from the USA who celebrated Holy Mass, and we spoke about Saint Philomena and the Shrine—another great moment of the day—and before leaving they received the blessing with the Relic. Behind the scenes, other work was ongoing up to and including the 25th: the director and representatives of the Archconfraternity were busy in meetings to make new plans to move the Archconfraternity forward; the centres present at the shrine were: Philippines, USA, France, Slovakia, Portugal, Scotland and Italy.
His Em. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle arrived to celebrate the main Mass of the day accompanied by 4 priests. The Bishop of Nola, Francesco Marino, arrived from Nola to greet the Cardinal and welcome him. The Vicar General Pasquale Capasso arrived and stayed for the celebration together with the Bishop emeritus of Acerra, Giovanni Rinaldi. Also present were the Priests who are the spiritual directors of our Archconfraternities of: Philippines, Scotland, Slovakia, together with the priests of the Diocese of Nola. It was a beautiful welcome for the Cardinal who celebrated the “Mass of Saint Philomena”.
The Mass, for the first time at the Shrine, was bilingual, with our World Director of the Archconfraternity Marie Burns who read the first reading in English; Pasquale Casillo, representative of the Archconfraternity of Centre 0 here at the Shrine, recited the psalm in Italian; Fr. Christopher Doig, Spiritual Director of the Archconfraternity of Scotland Centre 3, the Gospel in English, which I then repeated in Italian. Fr. LˇUbosav, Archconfraternity Spiritual Director of Slovakia Centre 39, spoke at the end of the service in Italian.
Cardinal Tagle also adopted the international style of the Mass and his homily was both in Italian and in English, about being a martyr and the road to martyrdom that our Saint walked. He asked who was married and commented that those who are married are already martyrs! The Cardinal captured the hearts of everyone present and there was great peace in the church as the Cardinal spoke and everyone listened carefully to every word. It was a very special service and a feeling of love and unity in the Shrine.
The World Archconfraternity Director Marie Burns stated: “We have not had a gathering of Archconfraternity centres at the shrine like this since 2005, before our Rector Msgr. Autorino was ordained a priest, but he too was present at that time and most of the centre representatives remember him from then. There was so much excitement in preparing for this special day and with Cardinal Tagle celebrating Holy Mass, it gave Saint Philomena the importance she should have. It was wonderful to come together again for this historic event.”
The Archconfraternity centres concluded their meetings with a prayer before entering the church for Mass. The church and the village square outside were full of devotees of Saint Philomena and it was professionally confirmed by Fra Fedelis; the link is on this newsletter to see the full Mass service.
Before entering the Shrine, Card. Tagle visited the outdoor statue of Don Francesco De Lucia who brought here to Mugnano the Cardinal's Relics of Saint Philomena and documented the miracles that occurred; the first editions of his writing are kept in the Shrine. The statue stands where the former pilgrimage centre was, just beyond the village square. After the ceremony he was greeted and took time to speak with as many people as possible, including all the representatives of the Archconfraternity and the Saint Philomena Feast committee. Then I showed him the shrine to see the chair where Blessed Pauline Jaricot sat and the Miraculous Statue of Saint Philomena which His Holiness Pope Francis, on 10 May 2023, blessed in Rome and told me:
“Saint Philomena was the protector of Saint John Mary Vianney, the Holy Curé of Ars; the Holy Curé of Ars is the protector of all priests. To her we priests also entrust ourselves in order to reach holiness.”
His Holiness Pope Francis appointed His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, to preside over the beatification ceremony of the Venerable Pauline Marie Jaricot in Lyon, France, on 22 May 2022. Pauline Jaricot was miraculously healed of a deadly illness while she was in the Shrine, known as the “Great Miracle of Mugnano”.
From the beginning to the end of his visit Cardinal Tagle prayed at the altar of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena and was very happy to be present at the Shrine of Saint Philomena for this wonderful occasion.
A special thanks to the choir that filled the shrine with spiritual music and to all those who worked behind the scenes. Above all to Saint Philomena for the blessing we received on this day.
I send you a special blessing from the sacred altar of the body of Saint Philomena,
Father Giuseppe Autorino
Lettre aux fidèles après la célébration du 25 mai 2023 Très chère famille de sainte Philomène Cette année, nous avons célébré la découverte du orps sacré de Sainte Philomène de la manière la plus spirituelle et la plus spectaculaire qui soit. Lorsque j'ai invité pour la première fois le cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle à venir célébrer cette fête spéciale, je n'aurais jamais pensé qu'il exsuderait la spiritualité de cette manière. Tout comme la statue miraculeuse de Sainte Philomène a exsudé la manne en 1823, qui fêtera ses 200 ans en août prochain. La journée du 25 mai 2023 a continué à déverser des bénédictions. La journée a commencé par une messe et une prière à 8 heures sur l'autel du corps sacré de Sainte Philomène, qui a allumé le feu spirituel pour le reste de la journée. Un grand sentiment de paix et d'amour a envahi le sanctuaire tandis que nous priions ensemble devant le corps de sainte Philomène trouvé dans les catacombes de Pricilla à Rome en 1802, les membres et les dirigeants de l'Archiconfrérie, les citoyens et les dévots rassemblés en ce jour spécial. J'ai ensuite accueilli avec joie une école d'enfants à qui j'ai raconté l'histoire de Sainte Philomène. C'est toujours une grande bénédiction de parler aux enfants, mais c'est d'autant plus approprié aujourd'hui que cette sainte des catacombes protège et guide les enfants. La sainte messe a été célébrée au maître-autel du Sanctuaire, suivie de prières à notre grande sainte. J'ai accueilli un groupe de fidèles des États-Unis qui ont célébré la Sainte Messe et nous avons parlé de Sainte Philomène et du Sanctuaire, un autre grand événement de la journée, et avant de partir ils ont reçu une bénédiction avec la Relique. Le directeur et les représentants de l'Archiconfrérie étaient occupés à des réunions pour élaborer de nouveaux plans afin de faire avancer l'Archiconfrérie. Les Centres présents dans le sanctuaire étaient : les Philippines, les États-Unis, la France, la Slovaquie, le Portugal, l'Écosse et l'Italie. Son Éminence le cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle est arrivé pour célébrer la messe principale de la journée, accompagné de quatre prêtres. L'évêque de Nola, Francesco Marino, est arrivé de Nola pour saluer le cardinal et lui souhaiter la bienvenue. Le vicaire général Pasquale Capasso est arrivé et est resté pour la célébration avec l'évêque émérite d'Acerra, Giovanni Rinaldi. Étaient également présents les prêtres qui sont les directeurs spirituels de nos archiconfréries des pays suivants : Philippines, Écosse, Slovaquie, ainsi que des prêtres du diocèse de Nola. Ce fut un bel accueil pour le cardinal, qui a célébré la "Messe de Sainte Philomène". Pour la première fois au Sanctuaire, la messe s'est déroulée en deux langues : Madame Marie Burns, directeur de l'Archiconfrérie Mondiale, a récité la première lecture en anglais, Pasquale Casillo, représentant de l'Archiconfrérie du Centre 0 ici au Sanctuaire, a récité le psaume en italien, le père Christopher Doig, directeur spirituel de l'Archiconfraternité du Centre 3 d'Écosse, l'évangile en anglais, que j'ai ensuite répété en italien. Le frère L’ubosav, directeur spirituel de l'Archiconfrérie du Centre de la Slovaquie 39, a pris la parole à la fin de l'office en italien. Le cardinal Tagle a également adopté le style international de la messe et son homélie a été prononcée à la fois en italien et en anglais, portant sur le fait d'être martyr et sur le chemin du martyre parcouru par notre saint. Il a demandé qui était marié et a fait remarquer que celui qui est marié est déjà un martyr ! Le cardinal a conquis le cœur de toutes les personnes présentes et une grande paix régnait dans l'église pendant que le cardinal parlait et que tout le monde écoutait attentivement chaque mot. Ce fut un service très spécial et un sentiment d'amour et d'unité dans le sanctuaire. Marie Burns, Directeur de l'Archiconfrérie mondiale, a déclaré : "Nous n'avons pas eu de rassemblement des centres d'Archiconfraternité dans le Sanctuaire comme celui-ci depuis 2005, avant que notre recteur, Monseigneur Autorino, ne soit ordonné prêtre, mais il était également présent à l'époque et la plupart des représentants des centres se souviennent de lui depuis lors. La préparation de cette journée spéciale a été très excitante et le cardinal Tagle, qui a célébré la Sainte Messe, a donné à cette journée toute l'importance qu'elle devait avoir pour Sainte Philomène. C'était merveilleux d'être ensemble lors de cet événement historique". Les Centres de l'Archiconfrérie ont conclu leurs réunions par une prière avant d'entrer dans l'église pour la messe. L'église et la place du village à l'extérieur étaient remplies de dévots de Sainte Philomène et elle a été confirmée professionnellement par Frère Fedelis, le lien est sur cette newsletter pour voir le service complet de la messe. Avant d'entrer dans le sanctuaire, le Cardinal Tagle a visité la statue en plein air du Père Francesco De Lucia, qui a apporté les reliques de Sainte Philomène à Mugnano del Cardinale et a documenté les miracles qui s'y sont produits ; les premières éditions de ses écrits sont conservées dans le Sanctuaire. La statue se trouve à l'emplacement de l'ancien centre de pèlerinage, juste après la place du village. Après la cérémonie, il a été accueilli et a pris le temps de s'entretenir avec le plus grand nombre de personnes possible, y compris tous les représentants de l'Archiconfrérie et du Comité des fêtes de Sainte Philomène. Je lui ai ensuite fait visiter le sanctuaire pour voir la chaise sur laquelle la bienheureuse Pauline Jaricot s'est assise. Pauline Jaricot et la statue miraculeuse de Sainte Philomène que Sa Sainteté le pape François a bénie à Rome le 10 mai 2023 : "Sainte Philomène a été la protectrice de saint Jean-Marie Vianney, le saint curé d'Ars ; le saint curé d'Ars est le protecteur de tous les prêtres. C'est à elle que nous nous confions également en tant que prêtres pour atteindre la sainteté". Sa Sainteté le Pape François a nommé Son Éminence le Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Préfet de la Congrégation pour l'Évangélisation des Peuples, pour présider la cérémonie de béatification de la Vénérable Pauline Marie Jaricot à Lyon, France, le 22 mai 2022. Pauline Jaricot a miraculeusement guéri d'une maladie mortelle alors qu'elle se trouvait dans le sanctuaire, ce qui est connu comme le "Grand Miracle de Mugnano". Au début et à la fin de sa visite, le cardinal Tagle a prié à l'autel du corps sacré de sainte Philomène et était très heureux d'être présent au Sanctuaire de Sainte Philomène pour cette merveilleuse occasion. Nous remercions tout particulièrement la chorale qui a rempli le sanctuaire de musique spirituelle et tous ceux qui ont travaillé dans les coulisses. Je remercie tout particulièrement Sainte Philomène pour la bénédiction qu'elle nous a donnée en ce jour. Je vous envoie une bénédiction spéciale de l'autel sacré du corps de Sainte Philomène, Don Giuseppe Autorino
Letter to devotees after the celebration of May 25, 2023 Dearest Family of Saint Philomena, this year we celebrated the discovery of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena in the most spiritual and spectacular way. When I first invited Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle here for this special feast day, I never thought that he would exude spirituality in this way. Just as the miraculous statue of St. Philomena exuded Manna in 1823, which will be 200 years old this August. The day of May 25, 2023 continued to pour out blessings. The day began with Holy Mass and prayer at 8:00 a.m. at the Altar of the Sacred Body of St. Philomena, which lit the spiritual fire for the rest of the day. A great sense of peace and love filled the Shrine as we prayed together before the body of St. Philomena found in the catacombs of Pricilla in Rome in 1802, members and leaders of the Archconfraternity, citizens and devotees convened on this special day . I then joyfully welcomed a school of children and told them the story of Saint Philomena, it is always a great blessing to speak to children but so appropriate today that this Saint of the catacombs protects and guides children. This was followed by Mass at the high altar of the Shrine followed by prayers to our great saint. I welcomed a group of devotees from the USA who celebrated Holy Mass and we talked about St. Philomena and the Shrine, another great event of the day, and before leaving they received a blessing with the Relic. Behind the scenes other work in progress up to and including the 25th, the director and representatives of the Archconfraternity were busy in meetings to make new plans to take the Archconfraternity forward, the centers present in the shrine were: the Philippines, USA, France, Slovakia, Portugal , Scotland and Italy. His Em. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle arrived to celebrate the main Mass of the day accompanied by 4 priests. Bishop Francesco Marino arrived from Nola to greet the cardinal and welcome him. Vicar General Pasquale Capasso arrived and stayed for the celebration together with the Bishop Emeritus of Acerra, Giovanni Rinaldi. Also present were the Priests, who are the spiritual directors of our Archconfraternities from: Philippines, Scotland, Slovakia, along with priests from the Diocese of Nola. It was a nice welcome for the Cardinal who celebrated the "Mass of St. Philomena." The Mass, for the first time at the Shrine, was in dual language with our World Archconfraternity Director Marie Burns reciting the first reading in English, Pasquale Casillo, representative of the Archconfraternity of Scotland Centre 0 here at the Shrine recited the psalm in Italian, Fr. Christopher Doig, Spiritual Director of the Archconfraternity of Scotland Centre 3 Gospel in English, I then repeated it in Italian. Br. LˇUbosav Archconfraternity Spiritual Director of the Slovakia Centre 39 spoke at the end of the service in Italian. Cardinal Tagle also took on the international style of the mass and his homily was in both Italian and English, covering being a martyr and the road to martyrdom that our saint traveled. He asked who was married and commented that one who is married is already a martyr! The cardinal captured the hearts of everyone present and there was a great peace in the church as the cardinal spoke and everyone listened attentively to every word. It was a very special service and a feeling of love and unity in the Shrine. World Archconfraternity Director Marie Burns said, "We have not had a gathering of Archconfraternity centers in the shrine like this one since 2005, before our Rector Bishop Autorino, was ordained a priest, but he was also present at that time and most of the representatives of the centers remember him since then. There was a lot of excitement in preparing for this special day and with Cardinal Tagle celebrating the Holy Mass, he gave it the importance that St. Philomena should have. It was a wonderful gathering together in this historic event." The archconfraternity centers concluded their meetings with a prayer before entering the church for Mass. The church and town square outside were filled with devotees of St. Philomena and it was professionally confirmed by Brother Fedelis, the link is on this newsletter to see the full service of the Mass. Before entering the shrine, Card. Tagle visited the outdoor statue of Don Francesco De Lucia who brought the Relics of St. Philomena here to Mugnano del Cardinale and documented the miracles that occurred, early editions of his writing are preserved in the Shrine. The statue stands where the former pilgrimage center was located just beyond the town square. After the ceremony he was greeted and took the time to talk to as many people as possible, including all the representatives of the Archconfraternity and the Saint Philomena Feast Committee. Then I showed him around the sanctuary to see the chair that Blessed. Pauline Jaricot sat in and the Miraculous Statue of St. Philomena that His Holiness Pope Francis blessed in Rome on May 10, 2023, and told me: "St. Philomena was the protector of St. John Mary Vianney, the Holy Curé d'Ars; the Holy Curé d'Ars is the protector of all priests. To her we also entrust ourselves as priests to achieve holiness." His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, to preside over the beatification ceremony of Venerable Pauline Marie Jaricot in Lyon, France, on May 22, 2022. Pauline Jaricot miraculously recovered from a fatal illness while in the Shrine, known as the "Great Miracle of Mugnano." At the beginning to the end of his visit, Cardinal Tagle prayed at the altar of the Sacred Body of St. Philomena and was very happy to be present at the Shrine of St. Philomena for this wonderful occasion. Special thanks to the choir who filled the shrine with spiritual music and to all those who worked behind the scenes. Especially to St. Philomena for the blessing we received on this day. I send you a special blessing from the holy altar of St. Philomena's body, Fr. Giuseppe Autorino
Letter to the devotees after the celebration of 25 May 2023 Dear Family of Saint Philomena, this year we celebrated the discovery of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena in the most spiritual and spectacular way possible. When I first invited Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle for this special feast day, I never thought he would radiate spirituality in this way. Just as the miraculous statue of Saint Philomena exuded Manna in 1823, and this year will mark 200 years in August. The day 25 May 2023 continued to pour out blessings. The day began at 8 o’clock with Holy Mass and prayers at the Altar of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena, which lit a spiritual fire for the rest of the day. A great atmosphere of peace and love filled the Shrine when we prayed together before the body of Saint Philomena, discovered in the catacombs of Priscilla, in Rome, in 1802; members and leaders of the Archconfraternity, citizens and devotees were called together on this special day. Afterwards I gladly welcomed a school of children and told them the story of Saint Philomena. It is always a great blessing to speak to children, and so fitting today, for this Saint of the catacombs protects and guides children. Then followed Holy Mass at the High Altar of the Shrine, followed by prayers to our great saint. I welcomed a group of devotees from the USA who celebrated Holy Mass, and we spoke about Saint Philomena and the Shrine. This was another great event of the day and, before they left, they received the blessing with the Relic. Behind the scenes, other work was underway on this 25th. The director and representatives of the Archconfraternity were busy in meetings planning new projects to move the Archconfraternity forward. The centers present at the Shrine were: Philippines, USA, France, Slovakia, Portugal, Scotland and Italy. His Eminence, Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, arrived to celebrate the main Mass of the day, accompanied by 4 priests. The Bishop of Nola, Francesco Marino, came from Nola to greet the Cardinal and welcome him. The Vicar General, Pasquale Capasso, arrived and stayed for the Celebration, together with the Bishop emeritus of Acerra, Giovanni Rinaldi. Also present were the spiritual directors of our Archconfraternity from: Philippines, Scotland, Slovakia, together with the priests of the Diocese of Nola. It was a beautiful welcome for the Cardinal, who celebrated the “Mass of Saint Philomena”. For the first time in the Shrine, Mass was celebrated in two languages, with our World Director of the Archconfraternity, Marie Burns, reciting the first reading in English; Pasquale Casillo, representative of the Archconfraternity of Mugnano, Center 0, recited the psalm in Italian; Father Christopher Doig, Spiritual Director of the Archconfraternity of Scotland, Center 3, the Gospel in English, and I repeated it in Italian. Friar L Ubosav, Spiritual Director of the Archconfraternity of Slovakia, Center 39, spoke in Italian at the end of the service. Cardinal Tagle also adopted the international style of the Mass and, in the homily, spoke in Italian and English about being a martyr and the path our Saint walked to martyrdom. He asked who was married and commented that whoever is married is already a martyr! The Cardinal won the hearts of everyone present, and a great peace settled in the church as he spoke, because all listened attentively to every word. It was a very special welcome, with feelings of love and unity, in the Shrine. The world director of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena, Marie Burns, said: “We have not had a meeting of the Centers of the Archconfraternity like this, at the Shrine, since 2005, before our rector Msgr. Giuseppe Autorino was ordained a priest, but he too was present at that time, and most of the representatives of the Centers remember him from then. There was great enthusiasm in preparing for this special day, and Cardinal Antonio Tagle celebrating Holy Mass gave Saint Philomena the importance she deserves. It was a wonderful meeting at this historic event." The centers of the Archconfraternity concluded their meetings with a prayer before entering the church for Mass. The church and the local Square outside the Shrine were full of devotees of Saint Philomena, which was professionally documented by Friar Fedelis in the link of his “newsletter”, where one can see the complete work regarding the Mass. Before entering the Shrine, Cardinal Tagle visited, outside, the statue of Don Francisco de Lucia, who brought to Mugnano from Cardinale the Relics of Saint Philomena and documented the miracles that occurred, whose writings are preserved in the Shrine. The statue stands where the old pilgrimage center was located, a little beyond the town Square. After the Ceremony, he was greeted and gave of his time to speak with as many people as possible, including the representatives of the Archconfraternity and the Feast Committee of Saint Philomena. Afterwards, I showed him a little of the Shrine, including the chair of Blessed Paulina Jaricot and the Miraculous Statue of Saint Philomena that Pope Francis blessed in Rome on 10 May 2023, and he told me: "Saint Philomena was the protectress of Saint John Mary Vianney, the Holy Curé of Ars; the Holy Curé of Ars is the protector of all priests. We too, priests, entrust ourselves to her to attain holiness." His Holiness, Pope Francis, appointed His Eminence, Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, to preside over the Ceremony of the beatification of Venerable Paulina Maria Jaricot, in Lyon, France, on 22 May 2022. Paulina Jaricot, miraculously cured of a fatal illness while she was at the Shrine, is known as “The Great Miracle of Mugnano”. Before ending his visit, Cardinal Tagle prayed at the altar of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena and was very happy to have been at the Shrine of Saint Philomena on this wonderful occasion. A special thanks to the choir that filled the Shrine with spiritual music, and to all who worked behind the scenes. Especially to Saint Philomena for the blessing we received on this day. I send you a special blessing from the altar of the body of Saint Philomena Don Giuseppe Autorino