To thee, O Great St. Philomena, we turn in our afflictions, for thou art truly worthy of the title, “Powerful with God”, who stimulates the faith and courage of the faithful, Pray for us!
St. Philomena, whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in Hell, Pray for us!
St. Philomena, honoured, invoked, and recommended by Popes Gregory XVI, Ven. Pius IX, Leo XIII, and St. Pius X, Pray for us!
St. Philomena, so powerful with God that thou hast excited the fury of Satan, not only at the time of thy glorious martyrdom, but even today, so that Satan’s servants dared to suppress thy feast so that no public honour should be paid to thee, gain for us by thy merits and prayers a true and holy pope to restore all things to Christ!
“A Church once marked by gratitude to God expressed in its most tender and extravagant forms has become one of cynical, hollow stares, of confusion and sublimated rage. People are not animals. They know, deep down in the wells of their beings, that they have been cheated, and their response is a virulent one: apathy.” ~ Catholic Family News.
“Whatever you ask from her, She will obtain for you.” – Pope Gregory XVI Credited with countless miracles and intercessions since discovery of her tomb in the most ancient catacombs of St. Priscilla in Rome in 1802.
Prayers to Saint Philomena
Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to set thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God. Ah! from the heights of heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client. Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me, and in particular [mention your special intentions]. Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Amen.
Novena to Saint Philomena
O Faithful Virgin and glorious martyr, St. Philomela, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me. Thou knows the multitude and diversity of my needs.
Behold me at thy feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat thy charity, O great Saint! Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favorable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before thee … (Here specify your petition.)
I am firmly convinced that through thy merits, through thy scorn, the suffering and the death thou didst endure, united to the merits of the passion and death of Jesus, thy Spouse, I shall obtain what I ask of thee, and in the joy of my heart I will bless God, who is admirable in His Saints. Amen
The Litany of St. 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 Ghost, have mercy on us,
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Philomena child of benediction, Pray for us.
St. Philomena the daughter of light, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who from infancy chose Jesus Christ for your spouse, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who despised with heroic courage the greatest honors, in order to remain faithful to Christ, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose faith and love for Jesus Christ could not be shaken, either by promises or threats, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose constancy could not be diminished, either by the supplications of a father, or the tenderness of a mother, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who by your love of sufferings, merited to be consoled by Jesus, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose ardor to endure new torments augmented every day, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whom God confided to the care of Angels, and who by their assistance defeated the rage of your persecutors, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose glory God was pleased to manifest by continual wonders, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who endured several kinds of martyrdom from the different punishments you suffered, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who, by your example, drew many souls to Faith, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, bound to a pillar and struck with reeds, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, perfect model of Christian virgins, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, special protectress of those who honor you, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whom the Church honors and reveres as an illustrious virgin and martyr of Jesus Christ, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, now in possession of immortal honor, 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 takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, St. Philomena!
R. That we may, like you, consecrate our entire lives to the love of Jesus.
Let us pray:
O Glorious virgin and martyr, whose glory God has been pleased to manifest by shining miracles! we address ourselves to you with entire confidence. Obtain for us, that, following your example, we may generously combat all that opposes the reign of Jesus Christ in our hearts, that He may ornament them with thy virtues, with that angelic purity of which you are so perfect a model; it order that, enkindled with a love for Jesus, we may walk constantly in the way He has pointed out to us, and partake one day of your eternal felicity. Amen.
Source: St. Vincent’s Manual: Containing A Selection Of Prayers And Devotional Exercises.
Publication date 1856.
Chaplet of St. Philomena
A beautiful Chaplet was composed by the Holy Curé of Ars, also known as Rosary or Little Crown of St. Philomena. The chaplet is made up of red beads to signify Her martyrdom and white beads a token of Her Virginity and Purity.
“Have full confidence in this great Saint, she will obtain for you all that you ask.”
Ven. Pauline Jaricot – foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Living Rosary (St. Philomena is the patroness of the Living Rosary and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.)
In 1837, the Curé of Ars erected the first chapel in France dedicated to his “dear little saint.”
Promoting devotion to St. Philomena, Virgo Sacrata makes devotional chaplets and custom-made St. Philomena rosaries. The Little Crown of St. Philomena Chaplet is available from the Virgo Sacrata workshop.
Saints and Blessed Devotees of St. Philomena
Pope Gregory XVI raised Philomena to the status of Saint and also named her the Patroness of the Living Rosary Association. Pope Pius IX granted to her the glorious title: Patroness of the Children of Mary.
The Living Rosary Association founded by Pauline Jaricot in Lyon, France was approved and richly indulgenced by Pope Gregory XVI and accorded official canonical status on January 27, 1832.
On January 13, 1837, Pope Gregory XVI named Philomena, Patroness of the Living Rosary Association and declared her to be the “Thaumaturga,” the “Great Wonder-Worker of the Nineteenth Century.“
The Confraternity of Saint Philomena was founded by Fr. Louis Petit in Paris and on November 30, 1886 his Holiness, Pope Leo XIII, raised this Confraternity of Saint Philomena based in France to the rank of Archconfraternity.
On June 16, 1907, the Supreme Pontiff Pius X, receiving in audience Fr. Petit, exclaimed, “…the great argument in favor of devotion to St. Philomena is the Curé of Ars. By her, in her name, and through her intercession, he obtained innumerable graces and continual prodigies.“
Saint Pope Pius X named St. Jean Vianney Patron of the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena.
In an apostolic brief on May 21, 1912, Saint Pope Pius X extended the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena to the entire Church, by raising it to the status of Universal. He stated “All the decisions and declarations of his predecessors regarding St. Philomena should in no way be altered.“
Commemoration of SAINT PHILOMENA
Little is known of her life, and the information was received by private revelation from her. Martyred at about age 13 in the early days of the Church.
In 1802 the remains of a young woman were found in the catacomb of Saint Priscilla on the Via Salaria. It was covered by stones, the symbols on which indicated that the body was a martyr named Saint Philomena. The bones were exhumed, cataloged, and effectively forgotten since there was so little known about the person.
In 1805 Canon Francis de Lucia of Mugnano, Italy was in the Treasury of the Rare Collection of Christian Antiquity (Treasury of Relics) in the Vatican. When he reached the relics of Saint Philomena he was suddenly struck with a spiritual joy, and requested that he be allowed to enshrine them in a chapel in Mugnano. After some disagreements, settled by the cure of Canon Francis following prayers to Philomena, he was allowed to translate the relics to Mugnano. Miracles began to be reported at the shrine including cures of cancer, healing of wounds, and the Miracle of Mugnano in which Venerable Pauline Jaricot was cured a severe heart ailment overnight. Philomena became the only person recognized as a Saint solely on the basis of miraculous intercession as nothing historical was known of her except her name and the evidence of her martyrdom.
Pope Leo XII granted permission for the erection of altars and churches in her honor. Pope Gregory XVI authorized her public veneration, and named her patroness of the Living Rosary. The cure of Pope Pius IX, while archbishop of Imola, was attributed to Philomena; in 1849, he named her patroness of the Children of Mary. Pope Leo XIII approved the Confraternity of Saint Philomena, and raised it to an Archconfraternity. Pope Pius X raised the Archconfraternity to a Universal Archconfraternity, and named Saint John Vianney its patron. Saint John Vianney himself called Philomena the New Light of the Church Militant, and had a strong and well-known devotion to her. Others with known devotion to her include Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Saint Euphrasia Pelletier, Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini, Saint John Nepomucene Neumann, Saint Madeline Sophie Barat, Saint Peter Chanel, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, and Venerable Pauline Jaricot.
Addition Info:
In 1802, the bones of a female between the ages of 13 and 15 were discovered in the catacomb of St. Priscilia. An inscription near her tomb read “Peace be with thee, Philomena”, along with drawings of 2 anchors, 3 arrows, and a palm. Near her bones was discovered a small glass vial, containing the remains of blood. Because it was a popular custom of the early martyrs to leave symbols and signs such as these, it was easily determined that St. Philomena was a virgin and a martyr. Her popularity soon became widespread, with her most memorable devotees being St. John Vianney, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Peter Eymard, and St. Peter Chanel. After being miraculously cured, Ven. Pauline Jaricot insisted that Pope Gregory XVI begin an examination for the beatification of St. Philomena, who was to become known as the “wonder worker”. After hundreds of other miraculous cures, she was beatified in 1837. St. Philomena, who the pope named as the Patroness of the Living Rosary and the Patroness of the Children of Mary, is the only person recognized as a saint solely on the basis of her powerful intercession, although pertinent revelations regarding her life have been recorded. Her relics are now preserved in Mugnano, Italy.
O God, who among the other marvels of Thy power, hast granted even to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom, mercifully grant, that we who celebrate the heavenly birthday of blessed Philomena, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may by her example draw nearer to Thee. Through our Lord . . .
Saint Philomena Feast Days
January 10th
Birthday of the Saint Philomena
Sunday after January 10th
Patronage day of Saint Philomena
May 25th
Celebration of the finding of the Holy Body of Saint Philomena
August 10th
Celebration of the Translation of the Holy Body and the martyrdom of Saint Philomena
August 11th
Liturgical feast day in honor of Saint Philomena
August 13th
Celebration of the name of Santa Filumena (Saint Philomena)
Second Sunday of August
Solemn festivities in honor of Saint Philomena
May the Mysteries which we have received, help us, O Lord; and by the intercession of blessed Philomena, Thy Virgin and Martyr, may we ever enjoy Thy protection. Through our Lord . . .
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The Roman MartyrologyUS$ 39.00 -
Saint Philomena the Wonder-WorkerUS$ 20.00
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Saint Philomena Statue 40″HUS$ 1,200.00
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St Philomena Medal Pendant 3/4″US$ 64.00 – US$ 1,590.00
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The Little Crown of St Philomena Chaplet in Sterling SilverUS$ 200.00
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Saint Philomena: Powerful with GodUS$ 21.00
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