⛪ Blessed Filippa Mareri: First Saint of the Poor Clares

Noble Birth and Early Piety

Philippa (Filippa) Mareri was born into the illustrious Mareri family at their castle near Rieti in the Abruzzi region of central Italy. Her father was Philip, first lord of Mareri; her mother was Imperatrice Mareri, who reportedly had prophetic visions about her daughter's extraordinary destiny before birth.

From earliest childhood, Filippa distinguished herself by exceptional piety and intellectual gifts. While other children played, she preferred prayer and acts of charity. She devoted herself to reading Sacred Scripture and became highly proficient in Latin—remarkable for a woman of her era.

Meeting Saint Francis (c. 1223)

Saint Francis of Assisi frequently visited the Rieti valley, where he established several convents. He sometimes visited the devout Mareri household, and his forceful preaching, holy simplicity, and austere life made a profound impression on young Filippa.

Around 1223, a pivotal meeting with Francis awakened in her a clear call to consecrated life. She resolved to forsake wealth and dedicate herself entirely to God.

Rejection of Marriage and Family Opposition

When her family arranged a marriage, Filippa boldly refused, declaring: "I already have a spouse, the noblest and the greatest, Our Lord Jesus Christ."

Her parents' remonstrances and her brother Thomas Mareri's ridicule had no effect. Thomas was an important politician who would help found the city of L'Aquila, and he considered his sister's religious aspirations foolish and wasteful of the family's noble status.

Flight to the Cave (c. 1225-1228)

Determined to follow her vocation, Filippa cut off her hair, donned coarse garments, and with several companions fled to a cave in the mountains above the village of Piagge (now called the "Cave of Santa Filippa").

For approximately three years, she and her companions lived as hermits, embracing the austere penitential life advocated by Francis. Their life of prayer, poverty, and penance in the remote mountain cave gradually transformed family hostility into admiration.

Reconciliation and Foundation (1228)

Her austere holiness changed her family's hearts. Brother Thomas visited the mountain retreat to ask Filippa's forgiveness and, deeply moved, placed at her disposal the church of St. Peter de Molito and an adjacent former Benedictine convent over which he was patron.

On September 18, 1228, two brothers formally donated the castle and church. Filippa and her companions moved there, establishing what became the first Franciscan monastery in the territory of Naples—the Monastery of Borgo San Pietro.

Living the Franciscan Rule

The community lived according to Saint Clare's Rule under the spiritual direction of Blessed Roger of Todi, whom Francis himself had entrusted with their care.

On July 21, 1231, Pope Gregory IX took the house under his protection and formally integrated the community with the Poor Clares.

Mater et Domina: Mother and Superior

Filippa served as abbess of the flourishing community. Her leadership style combined:

Humility: Though superior, she considered herself "the humblest member" Zeal: Unequaled in prayer and mortification Poverty: Like Francis and Roger, held evangelical poverty in highest esteem Trust: Exhorted sisters to "have no care for the morrow"—rewarded with miraculous assistance Charity: Distinguished herself in works of mercy to the local population

Unlike Clare's monastery at San Damiano (focused solely on contemplation), Filippa's foundation became a landmark for inhabitants of the Salto Valley, exercising positive spiritual, civic, and even economic influence—becoming a source of regional stability and charity.

Many noble young women joined, attracted by Filippa's excellent example and loving manner.

Death and Immediate Veneration

Filippa died on February 16, 1236 at approximately age 41-46. Blessed Roger of Todi was present at her deathbed and delivered the eulogy at her burial.

Miracles and Cult

Apparitions and miracles were immediately reported. Just 11 years after her death, on June 27, 1247, Pope Innocent IV granted an indulgence and used the title "Saint" (though formal canonization never occurred). This makes her effectively the first saint of the Second Franciscan Order (Poor Clares).

In the 14th century, a rhythmic office was composed in her honor. In 1706, during examination of her remains, her heart was found incorrupt—preserved today in a silver reliquary at Borgo San Pietro monastery.

1806: Pope Pius VII extended her cult to all Franciscans and the Dioceses of Rieti and Sulmona 1838: New liturgical lessons approved in her honor

Legacy

750+ years after her death, devotion continues growing worldwide, spread by Italian emigrants who found comfort in Bl. Filippa's intercession. Her monastery still stands at Borgo San Pietro in the Valle del Salto.

Patronage: Sulmona, Italy (co-patron); the Rieti valley

Attributes: Poor Clare habit; Latin Bible; cave; incorrupt heart

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May Blessed Filippa Mareri intercede for all women seeking religious vocations and for reconciliation within families!

👆 The chapel of Santa Filippa Mareri can be found in the heart of the monastery in Borgo San Pietro. The chapel, once kept inside the ancient monastery was submerged in 1940 together with the entire village to create the lake del Salto. The chapel was taken apart and rebuilt, stone by stone, in the parish church for the exhibition of the Superintendency of Fine Arts.

In this way a treasure of devotion and art was saved together with frescoes in a giottesco and Renaissance style. At the center of the chapel, on the altar, you will find the golden urn that holds the remains of Santa Filippa, next to the silver reliquary with her heart perfectly intact, and a lock of Saint Francis’s hair.

👆 A mountain route (1200 meters) that takes you to the rocky shrine of the “Grotta di Santa Filippa” a place of her solitude in Borgo San Pietro. The itinerary follows a natural path away from mass tourism. You can proceed towards these wonderful places surrounded by trees and the waters of lake del Salto by foot, by horseback or mountain bike. This combination of religion and nature reaffirms the Franciscan philosophy.

This walk also ideally relives the human and spiritual path of Santa Filippa whose cave was dug from the rocks and is composed of a main natural entrance and a lateral entrance. The area in front of the main entrance is the presbytery where you can find a little marble altar. In addition to this path, and near to the lake del Salto, it is possible to dive and rediscover the beauty still present in the submerged monastery.

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