Initially this devotion happened very simply . On the octave (which is 8 days after the arrival of the sacred body on the 10th August) of the translation of the Reliquary of Saint Philomena to Mugnano, a woman from Avella, full of faith in God, dipped a finger into the oil of the lamp which burned in front of the altar of the Saint, and anointed the eyelids of her blind child with it.
The child immediately received sight, to the astonishment of all present.

The Solemn celebration of the annual Patronage and blessing of the exclusive sacramental oil of St. Philomena is held every year on the first Sunday after the 10th January.