Memories of Monsignor Giovanni Braschi, (1943 - 2021)

The Thrill of a Lifetime

July 27, 2021

I made three promises to St. Philomena in 2010, one of which was that if I ever stood on Italian soil, I would visit her shrine. The other two were that I would spend the rest of my life promoting her devotion, and that if she interceded before God that my son and is wife would have a little girl (they had two boys) that I would try to have them name the baby Philomena.
They had a little girl and named her Lucia Francesca but promised me that they would have here take the name Philomena for Confirmation. I just smiled because I knew St. Philomena was playful and would show me what she thought of their choice of name. While they
didn't realize it, they gave their little girl a name very special to our beloved saint.....the name of the priest who brought her relics to Mugnano del Cardinale, Father Francesco di Lucia.....
I live in Florida and also had a tattoo of my beloved saint put on my right shoulder.....this also serves to make her known to everyone who sees it! Monsignor Braschi could not have been more gracious....he invited us for coffee, blessed us and our religious articles with St. Philomena's relic, posed for pictures and took us on a tour of the shrine. May Monsignor rest on the Sacred Heart of Jesus!

March 26, 2021

Saint Philomena is my most favorite Saint. I visited Mugnano twice & met Sister Bertilli ( not sure I spell her name correctly ) at first visit, second visit I got to meet Monsignor Braschi, such a privilege to have lunch at the Santuary of Saint Philomena that day. Monsignor Giovani Braschi was a very Holy Priest, he is certainly in Heaven with Saint Philomena & praying for their faithful devotees

Don Giovanni my Spiritual Father

March 24, 2021

Don Giovanni Braschi,
Was a Spiritual Father to me. I first met him September 16, 2018. I was on pilgrimage with my parents. I told Don Giovanni how I learned about St Philomena. I was on pilgrimage in Knock Ireland at Our Lady of Knock May 30, 2018. I met Sister Philomena from the Legion of Mary. I then went to the office of Holy Love in Knock and as I walked in there office I saw a picture of St Philomena and then a statue and she looked just like my daughter. I was given a picture of St Philomena with her prayer. I loved her name and feel like she chose me. The next day we travel to Achill Ireland to the House of Prayer. The entrance statue is a statue of St Philomena (10 feet tall). They had many relics and I asked if I could touch one with a handkerchief and they brought the Relic of St Philomena. To me that was confirmation that she would be my Patron Saint.

September 16, 2018, my parents and I traveled to Italy and landed in Rome and I was called to visit the Sanctuary of St Philomena in Mugnano de Cardinale. We arrived at the Sanctuary in time for mass and rosary. I Praise Our Lord for the gift of St Philomena in my life. I was drawn to her. We met Sister Paz who told what time mass was the next day and hours of the gift shop.

September 17, 2018, we arrived at the Sanctuary and Sister Paz took us to the gift shop. While praying in front of the Altar of St Philomena I see Don Giovanni coming I asked him if he would bless our religious articles. Don Giovanni took us to the rectory and blessed us with the Relics of St Philomena. We signed the guest book of St Philomena. Don Giovanni asked me to take a book to a St Philomena in Carson California to the pastor. Don Giovanni also told me that I was to help him spread St Philomena devotion around the world. Don Giovanni had no idea I was an International pilot that travels around the world God incidence. I just remember his smile and warm welcome and from that day he adopted me like his spiritual child. We took pictures in front of the altar of St Philomena and gave us a blessing with her blessed oil.

August 10-13 2019, I returned to St Philomena Sanctuary, Mugnano de Cardinale. To be part of the festivities of her festival. It was such an amazing experience. To see Don Giovanni in the midst of the festival for his beloved St Philomena was heart warming and contagious couldn’t help but fall more in love and in deeper devotion to St Philomena.

Don Giovanni would regularly send prayers and blessings through WhatsApp. Don Giovanni was always keeping my children and I in his prayers. I loved receiving his calls. My Spiritual Father Don Giovanni was always praying for my children and I a true gift from Our Lord.

January 20-23, 2020 my mom and I returned to St Philomena Sanctuary, Mugnano de Cardinale. We prayed many hours and got to visit with Don Giovanni. I truly felt like family with Don Giovanni, Sister Chu and Sister Paz. I never imagined that would be the last time I would see my Spiritual Father Don Giovanni. I promised Don Giovanni that I would spread St Philomena’s devotion around the world and I will God willing keep my promise.

The news of his passing broke my heart. My only consolation is that I will see him one day in paradise and now he is with St Philomena. May his soul Rest In Peace and Our Lords Perpetual light shine upon him.

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