Saint Philomena Devotional Page

Devotion to St. Philomena has played a small part in the history of the Tridentine Mass Community of St. Josaphat. Public devotions to the saint were first introduced in August of 2005 during the 200th Anniversary of the Translation (or Transfer) of the relics of the saint from Rome to Mugnano in Italy. This page will help introduce you to this powerful wonderworker and also provide you with some devotions which you can incorporate into your own spiritual life.

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SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC DEVOTIONS AT ST. JOSAPHAT

This schedule is subject to change

Sunday: January 15 (after the 9:30 AM Mass)

Sunday, May 20 (after the 9:30 AM Mass)

Sunday, August 12 (after the 9:30 AM Mass)

All devotions consist of prayers and veneration of the relic. A very limited amount of St. Philomena devotional materials (CDs and holy cards) are usually available in the back table and the vestibule (and in the social hall if there is a reception) on these days. These materials are free.

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Please feel free to e-mail your prayer intentions to StJosaphatblog@aol.com  and they will be placed before the relic of St. Philomena.

Please report all favors received through the intercession of St. Philomena to StJosaphatblog@aol.com

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The following text was provided by Joseph G. Atkins, CFE, an active member of the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena. Parts of the text have been omitted.

SAINT PHILOMENA ALL THIS FROM A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL

An excavation in the Catacombs of Priscilla at Rome in 1802 yielded a preserved tomb of a young girl with the inscription on her three tombstones-PAX -TECUM-FILUMENA which means “Peace is with you, Philomena. The tombstones were arranged differently due to construction which became a part of a controversy that has now been resolved. Along with the inscription there were symbols, the anchor, arrows, palm leaf and lily. The anchor and arrows represent tortures that were tried on her; the palm leaf is for martyrdom and lily is for virginity.

This tomb held the remains of one of the youngest saints in the church’s history. Her name is Philomena who was martyred and became a saint age the age of 13. Very little is known about Saint Philomena’s life. Twice in 1833 Saint Philomena appeared to Sister Maria Luisa of Jesus, an impassioned devotee of this saint, and told the nun her life story. Her story was not very comprehensive except for the last forty days of her life. The final days describe her imprisonment, various tortures and death under the direction of the Roman emperor, Diocletian.

In my opinion, [the author's] there is a good reason for the ambiguity of her life except for her final days that propelled her into sainthood. The reason is that she does not want to be remembered for her human existence; she wants to be remembered as to how she is willing to help and how has helped mankind as a saint. Since the discovery of her remains miracles have happened through her intersession, She has used many people to help her to help mankind to include five popes (one being a saint) two priest (who became saints) and two lay people given the title of “Blessed” and Venerable-a step in the process of becoming a saint. Some of her famous devotees that she influenced are

SAINTS

Saint John Vianney – The Holy Cure of Ars- had a great devotion to her; he stated that most of the miracles attributed to him were not of his doing but of ST. Philomena

Saint Peter Channel considered her his main support for his missionary work. He was the first martyr of Oceania

St. Padre Pio devotee of St. Philomena is known for his stigmata’s and healing through her. He like St. John Vianney heard confessions for 12 + hours every day. He also could bilocate (be in two places at the same time). He firmly defended devotion to Her

St. John Neumann- bishop of Philadelphia who founded catholic education in the USA

St. Pious X elevated the Pious Archconfratemity of Saint Philomena on May 12, 1912 into a Universal Pious Archconfratemity. He codified Canon law; believed in frequent communion. He was against church modernism. He also sent gifts to her Sanctuary to include an exquisite gold ring with a large precious stone

St. Benilde of the Brothers of Christian Schools- educator in France who had great devotion to her, and influenced his students to pray to her and love her

St. Peter Julian Eymard- he was impassioned by the Blessed Sacrament. His goal was to give priests to the Eucharist so that they would become perpetual worshipers. He was healed by her in 1854 after making a devotion to St. Philomena

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat- Foundress of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. She has a very intense relationship with St. Philomena. Her prayers and petitions to St. Philomena healed one of her nuns who went to the missions in America

Blessed Damien de Veuster- Catholic priest who worked in leper colony in Honolulu, Hawaii; He had great devotion to her and built a church in her honor, St. Philomena parish. He was canonized on October 11, 2009.

Saint Frances Cabrini- Missionary and “Patron of Immigrants”; she promoted St. Philomena throughout America.

POPES

Leo XII declared her The Great Thaumaturgist (miracle worker) of the 18 Th century. He had two Concessions of Mass to her.

Gregory XVI named her Patroness of the Living Rosary. A mass and proper Office in her honor was approved by him. This exceptional privilege has been granted to very few saints.

Pious IX was miraculously cured by her; he made a pilgrimage to her Sanctuary in 1849. He also had Concession of a Proper and Votive Mass to Her. He also proclaimed Her the saint “Second Patroness” of the Neapolitan Kingdom.

Leo XIII made two pilgrimages to her sanctuary while he was a Cardinal; He also sent a stunning cross to her Sanctuary. He took important measures to help promote devotion to her

Pious VII In 1805 he donated the remains of St. Philomena to Mugnano del Cardinale. The priest at shrine, Don Francesco DeLucia had to obtain special permission to receive her remains.

Benedict XV- very devoted to St. Philomena and continued efforts to spread her devotion.

Pious XI great devotee to Her; He donated many gifts to Her as did his predecessors.

Paul VI- his goodwill was used to promote the devotion to St. Philomena by his works.

John Paul II- He was an influential advocate of our “Little Saint”

Blesseds

Blessed Bartholomew Longo a devotee of ST. Philomena placed under her patronage, Opere Pompean

Bartolo Longo- founder of the Sanctuary of Pompeii.

Louis Petit- Abate- great apostle of St. Philomena in France. He founded the “Messenger of Saint Philomena”

VENERABLES

Jean Claude Colin- founder of the Society of Mary (Marist Priests). He was cured by using holy oil from her lamp. He erected a statue of her in his monastery.

Pauline Jaricot- She was miraculously healed in 1835 at the Sanctuary. She founded the Propagation of Faith. Her phenomenal healing helped propel St. Philomena into sainthood.

King Ferdinand II and wife Queen Maria Cristina (she a venerable). He a great devotee; his wife wanted to set up an orphanage next to shrine.

SERVANTS OF GOD

Maria Christina di Savoia, The Servant of God, conceived the heir to the throne of Naples, FrancisII, through this saint’s intercession. For this miracle she donated the Sanctuary and a baby made out of silver

Sister Maria Luisa of Jesus- fervent devotee of St. Philomena. She founded the religious order Sisters of Our lady of Sorrows and Saint Philomena. Saint Philomena appeared to the holy sister when she was in prayer before her statue. Saint Philomena told the nun her life story. Coincidently, she and St. Teresa had a vision of hell; both were thirteen years old- the same age as St. Philomena

Jean-Leon Le Prevost- founder of the Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul. He had a great devotion to her for her help to make his foundation succeed. When it did, his brothers became passionate propagators of the devotion to her.

Guilia Colbert- Marquise of Barlo, very devoted to St. Philomena, visited the shrine several times.

St. Philomena is known around the world; she has thousands of devotees. People have discovered that nothing is too trivial or insignificant for her. She will help any one. All she asks is for your prayers.

Our relic of Saint Philomena is a second class relic of stones from the original tomb of Saint Philomena in the Catacombs of Saint Priscilla. This relic has a letter of authentication from the Abbess who looks after the catacombs. This relic was given to our community in 2006.

Weekly Radio Program: Saint Philomena’s Hour

Hosted by Fr. Chad Partain of the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana

Fridays at 6:00 PM (Eastern Time)

5:00 PM (Central Standard Time)

Listen Online at: http://radiomaria.us/programs/

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DEVOTIONS

You are invited to make a weekly Perpetual Novena in Honor of St. Philomena. In order to join in this novena, say the prayers provided below every Friday for nine consecutive Fridays or you may simply say the prayers provided below every Friday.

The intentions of this private perpetual novena are

- For the conversion of sinners, the return of those separated from the Church, and the perseverance of the just.

- For the needs of St. Josaphat Church especially for those in the Tridentine Mass Community

- For the any intentions we may seek through the intercession of St. Philomena.

If you wish to report any favors through the intercession of St. Philomena, please post them in the Comments section of this page.

PERPETUAL NOVENA PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. PHILOMENA

Begin with the Apostle’s Creed

O great St. Philomena, glorious Virgin and Martyr, wonder-worker of our age, I return most fervent thanks to God for the miraculous gifts bestowed on thee, and beseech thee to impart to me a share in the graces and blessings of which thou hast been the channel to so many souls. Through the heroic fortitude with which thou didst confront the fury of tyrants and brave the frowns of the mighty rather than swerve from thy allegiance to the King of Heaven, obtain for me purity of body and soul, purity of heart and desire, purity of thought and affection. Through thy patience under multiplied sufferings, obtain for me a submissive acceptance of all the afflictions it may please God to send me and as thou didst miraculously escape unhurt from the waters of the Tiber, into which thou wert cast by order of thy persecutor, so may I pass through the waters of tribulation without detriment to my soul. In addition to these favors, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment. (Here mention your requests) O pure Virgin and holy Martyr, deign to cast a look of pity from Heaven on thy devoted servant, comfort me in affliction, assist me in danger, above all come to my aid in the hour of death. Watch over the interests of the Church of God, pray for its exaltation and prosperity, the extension of the faith, for the Sovereign Pontiff, for the clergy, for the perseverance of the just, the conversion of sinners, and the relief of the Souls in Purgatory, especially those dear to me, and those most forgotten. O great Saint, whose triumph we celebrate on earth, intercede for me, that I may one day behold the crown of glory bestowed on thee in Heaven, and eternally bless Him who so liberally rewards for all eternity the sufferings endured for His love during this short life. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, St Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us

O, Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, whom God glorifies by so many miracles, whom the Vicar of Jesus Christ has named Protectress of the Living Rosary and the Children of Mary, manifest, more and more plainly from the heights of Heaven, that a voice holy as thine cannot be denied and that we have the right to rely upon thine aid. Obtain for us the grace to be faithful to Jesus Christ, even to death. Amen.

First Novena Prayer taken from: http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/philomena4.htm#TRADITIONAL 

(Courtesy of Pauly Fongemie) Prayers were compiled in August of 2005

SHORT FORM OF THE PERPETUAL NOVENA PRAYER

O, Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, whom God glorifies by so many miracles, whom the Vicar of Jesus Christ has named Protectress of the Living Rosary and the Children of Mary, manifest, more and more plainly from the heights of Heaven, that a voice holy as thine cannot be denied and that we have the right to rely upon thine aid. Obtain for us the grace to be faithful to Jesus Christ, even to death. Amen.

Apostle’s Creed, Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory Be….

DAILY PRAYER FOR THE DETROIT AND WINDSOR TRIDENTINE COMMUNITIES

Hail, O Illustrious Saint Philomena, who so courageously shed thy blood for Christ, I bless the Lord for all the graces He has bestowed upon thee, during thy life, especially at thy death, I praise and glorify Him for the honor and power with which He has crowned thee, and I beg thee to obtain for me from God the graces I ask through thy intercession on behalf of the Tridentine Mass Communities of Detroit and Windsor. Amen.

(Taken and adapted from a prayer from www.philomena.org )

ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST

• Consider joining the Living Rosary Association. This is a wonderful way to honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Philomena. More information may be found at www.philomena.org
• Consider joining the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena. The author of the above biographical sketch states, “The Archconfraternity seeks to spread the devotion of this young BUT POWERFUL SAINT world wide, and to encourage a commitment of Christian life lived according to the examples of Jesus Christ and the special example of Saint Philomena.” For more information visit www.philomenafamily.org