"To
Philomena, nothing is refused" - Blessed Virgin Mary
In 1802, in the catacombs of Rome, excavators found a
chamber which had been unnoticed for seventeen centuries. In the chamber was a
tomb with an inscription on three funeral tiles, Lumena, Paxte, CVM FI, a full reading of the
epitaph was PAX TECUM FILUMENA, meaning Peace Be With You Philomena. There were also symbols on the tomb noting
martyrdom and virginity: two anchors, a lance, an arrow pointing upwards,
another arrow pointing downwards, a palm and a lily.
It was a remarkable discovery. The Court of Inquiry opened
the tomb and found the remains of a young girl around 13 years of age. They also found a broken vial of dried blood
most probably collected at her death as a testimonial of her martyrdom, which
was the Christian custom of the time.
The blood was carefully placed in a crystal urn for safety.
When the sun shone on the urn, everyone present witnessed the blood change. The blood glittered like gold and silver, and
looked like diamonds and precious jewels. Cardinal Ruffo Scilla commented
"And we have seen her blood change into several brilliant little precious
stones of various colors; also into gold and silver."
The remains and relics of St. Philomena were housed at the
Vatican until 1805. At which time, a
priest in a small town near Naples, Canon Francis de Lucia of Mugnano visited
Rome to acquire relics of a martyred saint for his private chapel. After some delay and difficulty he received
the relics of Philomena to enshrine in his village church. Even before the remains arrived, signal graces
were granted through her intercession and unusual events began to occur.
The day before their arrival, rain fell on the fields after
a long season of drought. Once the
remains and relics arrived at the church, villagers began to be cured of
illnesses. Lord Michael Ulpicella, a
lawyer, who had been ill and unable to move for six weeks was carried to the
relics and immediately cured. A woman
with a cancerous ulcer was cured after placing a relic on her wound. The most famous miracle was the cure of
Pauline Jaricot, which later was formally approved by church officials. Pope Gregory IVI declared it a first class
miracle.
A wax statue was made containing the bones of St. Philomena
which were encased in a clear
case, so visitors could see her image at Our Lady
of Grace Church (Madonna del Grazie) in Mugnano, Italy. The statue was dressed in robes. The blood of St. Philomena was also preserved
next to the wax statue. This wax statue
and blood have at times transformed in front of visitors. The blood has changed into the shape of a
cross. The statue which contain the
bones of St. Philomena have transformed into a more graceful pose and her
features became more delicate. The
statue now has a pleasing smile, not what the original artist had created.
Twenty years later, when the first case was replaced by a more
beautiful one, it was noticed that the hair on the wax statue became more
luxuriant. The case was a foot longer than
the original and her feet moved to the extent of the case. Sometimes visitors have noticed the eyes
open, while they are in prayer in front of the case. In 1841 and 1892, the statue changed
position in the presence of people on pilgrimages to the church. From time to time there are reports of a
knocking sound against the case when someone is praying there. There have also been many other accounts of
St. Philomena's knocking, in homes across the world, to let people know she is
with them and praying for them.
Little was known about St. Philomena until she revealed her
story through private revelation to three people, a nun, a priest and a
historian, from different parts of the world.
The accounts were identical giving credibility to the revelations. One of the most well-known recipients was the
Foundress of the Oblates of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mother Maria Luisa di Gesu', a
Dominican Tertiary.
The private revelations to Mother Maria received approval by
the Holy Office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on December 21,
1833. Here is St. Philomena's story.
St. Philomena was the daughter of a prince who governed a small
state in Greece. Her parents were pagan
and childless until a Catholic doctor at their palace told them about
Christianity. They converted and soon
after Philomena was born. They named
her Lumena and gave her the name Filumena (daughter of light) at her baptism.
When she was thirteen years old, she traveled with her
parents to Rome where her father was to see the Emperor Diocletian about an
unjust war that threatened his state.
Diocletian was mesmerized when he saw Philomena and granted her father
a peaceful resolution if he could marry his daughter.
Philomena's parents were so honored they agreed immediately. When they returned home she told her parents
she couldn't marry Diocletian because she had made a vow to give her virginity
to God. Her parents tried everything to
convince her otherwise but she would not change her mind. She answered them.
"My virginity, which I have vowed to God, comes before everything, before
you, before my country. My kingdom is heaven."
They took her to Diocletian and he also tried everything to
convince her to marry him but his promises, allurements and threats were
equally useless. Diocletian had her
loaded with chains and put into prison.
After 37 days in prison, Philomena saw a heavenly light and a vision of Mary
holding Jesus in her arms. Mary told
her she would be there for three more days then a more frightful terror would
come, but not to fear. Grace would
overcome her and the angel Gabriel would come to her aid. After the Blessed Mother left, perfume filled
the prison.
After three more days, Diocletian had her stripped and tied
to a column to be scourged like her "spouse" Jesus, in front of
men of the court. She was then put in
the dungeon where she was expected to die.
However, two angels came to her and covered her with a balm and she was
immediately healed. When Diocletian saw
her he told her it was because of the gods of Jupiter and tried to persuade her
once again to be his wife, but she refused.
In a fury, he had a guard chain an anchor around her neck and throw her
into the Tiber river. Angels came to her
rescue putting her on the riverbank in full view of a multitude of people. She was unharmed and not even wet. Many people who witnessed the event were
converted to Christianity.
Philomena was then dragged through the streets and shot with
arrows. She went into a heavenly sleep
and when she awoke she was once again completely healed. Brought again before
Diocletian he thought she was using magic so he had arrows made in a furnace
that were shot at her heart. The arrows
changed direction and went back to where they were hurled, killing six archers.
People began to renounce Paganism because of the public
testimony which infuriated Diocletian.
He ordered her head to be cut-off.
She was beheaded on a Friday at three o'clock, the same day and hour as
her spouse, Jesus.
Miraculous healings thorough the intercession of Philomena
have been widespread and continue today.
Her intercession is recognized in curing Pope Gregory XVI, who
authorized her public veneration, naming her Patroness of the Living Rosary. Her
intercession was recognized in curing Pope Pius IX of epilepsy when he was the
archbishop of Imola. Pope Leo XIII, St.
John Vianney, St. Anthony Mary Claret, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini and many
other saints had a great devotion to her.
St. Philomena's feast day is August 11, she is the patron
saint of infants, babies and youth. St. Philomena is a powerful prayer warrior. A Litany to St. Philomena is below, but use
any prayer asking for her intercession, she is known as the Great Wonder
Worker.
"Pray to St. Philomena, whatever you ask from her she
will obtain for you."
Pope Gregory XVI
Litany to Saint Philomena
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on 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 the most abundant graces from
your very birth,
pray for us.
Saint Philomena,
faithful imitator of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, model of Virgins, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility, pray
for us.
Saint Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, pray
for us.
Saint Philomena, victim of the love of Jesus, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, example of strength and perseverance, pray
for us.
Saint Philomena, invincible champion of chastity, pray for
us.
Saint Philomena, mirror of the most heroic virtues, pray for
us.
Saint Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments, pray
for us.
Saint Philomena, scourged like your Divine Spouse, pray for
us.
Saint Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows ,pray for us.
Saint Philomena, consoled by the Mother of God when in
chains, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, cured miraculously in prison, pray for us.
Saint Philomena,
comforted by angels in your torments, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the
splendors of a throne, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who converted the witnesses of your
martyrdom, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who wore out the fury of your executioners,
pray for us.
Saint Philomena, protectress of the innocent, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, patron of youth, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, health of the sick and the weak, pray for
us.
Saint Philomena, new light of the church militant, pray for
us.
Saint Philomena, who confounds the impiety of the world, pray
for us.
Saint Philomena, who stimulates the faith and courage of the
faithful, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, whose name is glorified in Heaven and
feared in Hell pray for us.
Saint Philomena, made illustrious by the most striking miracles,
pray for us.
Saint Philomena, all powerful with God, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who reigns in glory, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes 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, Great Saint Philomena,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Let us pray
We implore You, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint
Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, who was most pleasing to Your 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 (and name any special grace you may require).
Amen.
Composed by Saint John Vianney
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