At about this time, St Francis often visited the valley of Rieti,
where he established several convents and sometimes called at the
home of the Mareri. His forceful admonitions, filled with holy
simplicity and unction, and his severe life of penance left a deep
impression on Philippa.It was not long before Philippa chose to imitate our holy Father, foregoing wealth and consecrating herself entirely to God. She rejected a proposal to marry with the words:
“I already have a spouse, the noblest and the greatest, Our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Neither the requests of her parents, nor the ridicule of her brother Thomas, had an effect in changing her mind. She cut off her hair, donned a coarse garment, and with several companions withdrew to a cave in the rocks of a nearby mountain.
Her austere life of penance and union with God changed the resentment and mockery of her family into admiration. Thomas visited the mountain recess to ask Philippa’s forgiveness, and placed at her disposal the church of Saint Peter and an adjacent convent once occupied by the Benedictines, over which he was the patron. Full of joy the young community took up its abode there, accepting the place as a gift from heaven. They lived according to the rule of St Clare under the direction of Blessed Roger of Todi.
Philippa lived, labored and made sacrifices for God when it was revealed to her that the time of her death was near. With her sisters gathering around her deathbed, she bade them farewell and exhorted them to persevere in their efforts toward perfection, and to remain united in sisterly love. Having received the her final sacraments at the hands of Blessed Roger, she bade farewell to her sisters the words of the Apostle:
“The peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
