St. Filippa Mareri
The saint of the day for February 16 is St. Filippa Mareri. Filippa Mareri (c. 1190-1236) was born to a noble family in their castle in Cicolano, an inland area in the province of Rieti, Italy. Inspired by St. Clare of Assisi, Filippa was a cultured woman who left a life of luxury and wealth behind in order to embrace a life of holiness and poverty. When her family (particularly her brother Thomas) disapproved, she ran away with like-minded companions, and took refuge in a nearby mountain cave, now as the Holy Grotto of Filippa. After several months, Thomas asked her forgiveness and donated property to the community. He gave them an abandoned monastery named after St. Peter. St. Francis of Assisi assigned Blessed Roger of Todi, to provide spiritual direction to this group of consecrated women. The community subsequently adapted a rule modeled upon that of the Poor Clares, which was confirmed by the Roman Curia. The women spent much of their time in prayer and penance...