Saint Philothea
Virgin
A poor and pious young girl living near Nuremberg in the 15th century, Philothea consecrated her virginity to God at the age of fourteen. She received several mystical signs of her union with Christ, notably miraculous flowers, a ring brought by angels, and a vision of the Child Jesus. She died in 1430 after a life of prayer and humble work.
Guided reading
3 reading sections
SAINT PHILOTHEA, VIRGIN (1430).
Youth and Vow of Virginity
Coming from a poor family near Nuremberg, Philothea consecrated her virginity to God at the age of fourteen and resisted demonic temptations.
O power of virtue! Here is a poor girl whose name we do not even know, and who yet, through her love of heaven, has left a memory whose sweet perfume has traversed the centuries!
This pious virgin, who was nicknamed Philothea bec ause of Philotée 15th-century mystic virgin who lived near Nuremberg. her ardent love for God, came into the world in a village near Nuremberg, in Ge rmany. Sh Nuremberg City in Germany near which the saint was born. e was poor and Allemagne Country of origin of the saint. she was beautiful. How many dangers to run in such conditions! However, the good upbringing she received from her parents opened to her the paths of virtue from which, with God's help, she never strayed. At the age of fourteen, she offered to the Lord, like a bouquet of sweet odor, the lily of her virginity: it was not with impunity that she thus declared war on the passions and the tempting demon. Satan sent his legions to terrify her with great noises, as he did formerly to Saint Anthony; but the name of Jes us is powerfu saint Antoine Saint to whom Grace had a particular devotion and whose temptations she also endured. l; Satan ruined neither the house that the holy girl inhabited, nor the building a thousand times more precious of her virtues.
The signs of the divine spouse
In response to her doubts, she receives two miraculous signs: a blooming of violets in autumn and a precious ring brought by angels.
One day—it was an autumn day—she began to desire to know if the Savior Jesus loved her. Now, while she was working in her small garden, from which the vegetables nourished her, she suddenly saw beautiful violets rise up on a corner of bare earth, which perfumed the air and gladdened her heart no less than her eyes. This amiable response from the celestial spouse did not fail to trouble her somewhat: nevertheless, she gathered the sweet little flowers and kept them carefully so that they might serve to remind her constantly of the gardens of heaven, the paradise whose name means: garden of delights. Or, later, the sweet child began to doubt: she feared that the violets had come naturally. She therefore asked the divine Fiancé for another testimony of his love. Jesus did not despise the prayer of his naive lover: in the very place where the miraculous flowers had grown, he had his angels deposit a ring sparkling with diamonds, on the setting of which were engr anneau étincelant de brillants Miraculous ring engraved with two interlaced hands, a sign of her mystical union. aved two interlaced hands. O blessed Philothea, who shall tell of your joy when your gaze met this gift from heaven? She knelt to pick up the ring, kissed it, placed it on her finger, and never took it off until her passing.
Vision and passing
After a vision of the Child Jesus and a life of sacramental piety, she died in 1430.
Philothe Philotée 15th-century mystic virgin who lived near Nuremberg. a confessed often and received communion as often as she was permitted. He who entered her soul under the sacramental species wished to give a final mark of his tenderness to this simple child of the fields, happier in her humble retreat than the queens of the earth in their palaces: the divine Savior appeared to her enraptured eyes in the form of a child whom she was able to hold in her arms and cover with chaste kisses. Shortly after, Philothea left her mortal remains to the earth, which will keep them until the last day, while her soul went to enjoy in heaven, face to face, the presence of her beloved Jesus. This was in the year 1430.
Various collections of Lives of Saints.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Vow of virginity at the age of fourteen
- Attacks and terrifying noises caused by legions of demons
- Miraculous appearance of violets in autumn in her garden
- Reception of a celestial ring brought by angels
- Vision of the Child Jesus whom she holds in her arms
Miracles
- Blooming of violets in autumn on bare ground
- Apparition of a sparkling ring placed by angels
- Sensible vision of the Child Jesus