11 August. St. Philomena, Virgin and Martyr
O pure Virgin and invincible martyr of Jesus Christ, Saint Philomena ! With full devotion I kneel before God and before You, whom I have chosen as my mediatrix and loving Patroness, so that I may be honoured with Your intercession before Your Divine Spouse Jesus Christ and Mary, His Blessed Mother. I know that both of Them do not deny You anything, and I ask You with all the deep feeling of my heart to look upon me as one of Your children and to take me into Your defence against my enemies. Preserve me the grace to keep my soul pure from every blemish for the rest of my life and adorn it with every virtue. In particular, I wish to accept with full devotion to my God all the sufferings which He considers good to send upon me in this world in order to purify my soul thereby and to give it the opportunity to obtain penance for its many sins. Attracted by Thy wonderful graciousness, I beseech thee, in view of Thy great and perfect merits, to obtain for me the desired grace (here mention your wish), which I humbly expect from thee, if it is according to the will of God and for the benefit of my eternal salvation. I also ask you to obtain for me a multiplication of Faith, hope, love and contrition for my sins.
Life
Saint Philomena suffered martyrdom in 302 in Rome, during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. She came from a Greek aristocratic family; her parents, Kalistos and Eutropiau, lived in Nicopolis in Macedonia. Her father was a provincial administrator. The couple were childless for a long time; eventually their doctor, who was a Christian, suggested that they pray to the Christian God. Philomena was born around 289. After her birth, her parents were baptised.
From an early age, Philomena consecrated her virginity to the Lord God, and her heart burned with a greater and greater love for the Heavenly Bridegroom. Her only wish was to live only for Him, but the Roman Emperor Diocletian himself sought her hand. When Philomena refused him because of her professed Christian faith, she was imprisoned by the emperor, tortured and then died in cruel torments. Her torture was supposed to be her payment for the contempt she showed to the emperor. Initially, Diocletian decided to sentence her to the same punishment to which Pontius Pilate sentenced the Lord Jesus. Philomena was therefore sentenced to scourging. However, when she did not die, but was even miraculously healed of her wounds, Diocletian decided to throw her into the Tiber, tied to an anchor. However, the angels, miraculously, extracted her from the river, so that this time, too, Philomena did not suffer death, but was declared a witch. Attempts were then made to deprive her of her life by shooting her with a bow, but when this also failed, Diocletian, who personally witnessed the execution, ordered that Philomena be pierced with arrows kindled in the fire, as he thought that a witch had no power over fire. However, the arrows aimed at the girl changed direction and struck the archers with redoubled force. Horror and horror seized the witnesses to these events, many of whom were even inclined to embrace the Christian religion. In the end, the execution was carried out by beheading.
After 1,500 years of oblivion in the catacombs of St Priscilla in the Via Salaria Nova, the precious relics of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, were discovered on 24 May 1802, the feast day of Our Lady Help of the Faithful. The tomb bore the inscription LUMENIA PAX CUM, which means “Peace to you Philomena”, or “Peace to you beloved.” Also engraved on the tomb were an anchor, two arrows, a spear, a palm branch and a lily flower, symbolising death by drowning, martyrdom, the palm of victory and the symbol of virginity.
Thirty-five years after the discovery of her relics, this young Greek princess was elevated to the altars and proclaimed Miracle Worker of the 19th century, because the miracles obtained via her powerful intercession were so numerous and striking. Chapels dedicated to her were erected in various countries and altars and statues were founded. Other saints are given the ability to assist us in some one particular need, but Saint Philomena has the power to assist us in all needs, bodily and spiritual. Let us therefore turn to her with great trust, love and faith, for she is the “beloved daughter” of Jesus and Mary, a daughter to whom nothing is denied. In our love for her, let us follow the guidance and example of the popes. Pope Leo XII authorised the erection of altars and churches in her honour. Pope Gregory XVI, on 30 January 1837, solemnly elevated her to the altars, giving full rights to her veneration throughout the Catholic world for all time, and the day of her commemoration was set for 11 August. Pope Pius IX continued her illustrious title: “Patroness of the Children of Mary.” Pope Leo XIII raised the Confraternity of Saint Philomena to the rank of Archconfraternity and approved the “cord of Saint Philomena”, granting special privileges and indulgences to all who wear it. Pope Saint Pius X raised the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena to the rank of Archconfraternity and named Saint John Vianney as its patron.
In 1912, Pope St Pius X approved the invocation, “Saint Philomena, Patroness of the Children of Mary, pray for us!”
Saint Philomena has great power with God. Her virginity and her willingness to embrace heroic martyrdom have made her so pleasing to God that He will never refuse her anything she asks of Him. Saint John Vianney always said, “Philomena is a great Saint.” Pope Leo XII said: “Have full confidence in this great Saint. She will obtain for you whatever you ask.” Pauline Jaricot, founder of the Association of the Living Rosary, said: “I heard the demons say during an exorcism: <<The Virgin and Martyr, Saint Philomena, is our accursed enemy. Devotion to her is a new terrible weapon against hell.”>”
Prayer to Saint Philomena
Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, whom God has blessed with so many miracles, whom the Governor of Jesus Christ has appointed Protector of the Living Rosary and of the Children of Mary, show us ever more clearly from the heavenly heights that a voice as holy as yours must be heard and that we have the right to count on your help. Grant for us the grace of fidelity to Jesus Christ, even unto death. Amen.
Litany to Saint Philomena
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, filled with abundant graces from the cradle, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, model of virgins, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, victim of the love of Christ, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, example of strength and perseverance,Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, invincible athlete of chastity, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, mirror of most heroic virtues, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, firm and intrepid before torments, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, scourged like thy Divine Spouse, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, consoled in chains by the Mother of God, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, miraculously cured in prison, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, sustained by angels in the midst of tortures, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who preferred humiliation and death to the splendor of a throne, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who converted the witnesses of thy martyrdom, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who wore out the fury of thy executioners, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, patroness of the innocent, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, patroness of youth, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, health of the sick and infirm, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, new light of the Church Militant, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who confounds the impiety of our age, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who reanimates the faith and courage of the faithful, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, whose name is glorious in Heaven and terrible in Hell, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, illustrious by the most splendid miracles, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, powerful with God, Pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who reigns in glory, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, Saint Philomena,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray;
We implore Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, who was ever most pleasing to Thine eyes by reason of her eminent purity and the practice of all the virtues, pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need [name any special grace you may require]. Amen.
Deus, omnium largitor bonorum, qui in famula tua Philumena cum Virginitatis flore martyrii palmam consecrasti; mentes nostras ejus intercessione Tibi charitate conjuge, ut amotis periculis præmia consequamur æterna. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
