St. Philomena

The Power of Saintly Intercession

Asking for the intercession of the saints is a great way to receive strength and accompaniment on the journey towards Heaven. The great St. John Vianney knew this well, yet became a great proponent of asking the saints to intercede for the faithful after he experienced saintly intercession in a powerful way.
St. John Vianney, born in 1786, is renowned for his holiness, pastoral care, and dedication to the sacrament of confession. He served as the parish priest in Ars, France, where his humility and dedication drew thousands of souls seeking care and guidance.
But did you know that St. John Vianney had a strong devotion to St. Philomena? His veneration for her played a significant role in his ministry and the miracles attributed to him.
St. Philomena, whose relics were discovered in the early 19th century, quickly became known for her miraculous intercessions. When her relics were brought to Ars, St. John Vianney felt an immediate connection to her. He dedicated his ministry and many of his prayers to her, believing strongly in her powerful intercession.
Vianney dedicated himself to St. Philomena by special vow, referring to her as his 'dear little saint.' He would often say, "I have never asked for anything through the intercession of my little saint without having been answered." He attributed numerous miracles in his parish to St. Philomena’s intercession, including healings and conversions.
One notable miracle involved a young girl who was gravely ill. Vianney prayed fervently to St. Philomena for her help, and miraculously she was healed. Vianney believed that it was not he who performed the miracle but that his “little saint”  St. Philomena interceded miraculously upon his request.
In honor of St. Philomena, St. John Vianney built a shrine in the Church of Ars, where he encouraged the faithful to seek her intercession. He also dedicated one of the altars to her and frequently distributed medals of St. Philomena to pilgrims, urging them to pray to her with confidence.
Vianney’s devotion to St. Philomena was not just about seeking miracles; rather the miracles were the fruit of a beautiful friendship which the two believers in Christ maintained and their common love for Jesus Christ. St. John Vianney’s love for St. Philomena was rooted in his recognition of her purity, courage, and steadfast faith, virtues he sought to emulate in his own life.
St. John Vianney’s life teaches us the power of intercessory prayer and the profound impact that devotion to the saints can have on our spiritual journey. Through his example, we are reminded to turn to the saints, like St. Philomena, for guidance, support, and miraculous help in times of need.

The Litany to Saint Philomena Composed by St. John Vianney

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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 Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
St. Philomena, pray for us.
St. Philomena, filled with the most abundant graces from your very birth, pray for us.
St. Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary, pray for us.
St. Philomena, model of Virgins, pray for us.
St. Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility, pray for us.
St. Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, pray for us.
St. Philomena, victim of the love of Jesus, pray for us.
St. Philomena, example of strength and perseverance, pray for us.
St. Philomena, invincible champion of chastity, pray for us.
St. Philomena, mirror of the most heroic virtues, pray for us.
St. Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments, pray for us.
St. Philomena, scourged like your Divine Spouse, pray for us.
St. Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows, pray for us.
St. Philomena, consoled by the Mother of God, when in chains, pray for us.
St. Philomena, cured miraculously in prison, pray for us.
St. Philomena, comforted by angels in your torments, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who converted the witnesses of your martyrdom, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who wore out the fury of your executioners, pray for us.
St. Philomena, protectress of the innocent, pray for us.
St. Philomena, patron of youth, pray for us.
St. Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, pray for us.
St. Philomena, health of the sick and the weak, pray for us.
St. Philomena, new light of the church militant, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who confounds the impiety of the world, pray for us.
St. Philomena, 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, made illustrious by the most striking miracles, pray for us.
St. Philomena, all powerful with God, pray for us.
St. 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.
Pray for us, Great Saint Philomena, 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 Thy 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.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Biography of St. Philomena

Pope Gregory XVI referred to her as the “wonder-worker” of the nineteenth century. Bl. Pope Pius IX declared her the “Patroness of the Children of Mary.” St. John Vianney attributed all of his miracles to her, stating, “I have never asked for anything through the intercession of my Little Saint without having been answered.” Bl. Anna Maria Taigi, the Roman “mother-mystic,” received through this saint the miraculous cure of her granddaughter, and entrusted all her children to her powerful intercession. And the popes of the nineteenth century showered this young saint with numerous plenary indulgences, and gifts such as papal rings and pectoral crosses.
Let’s get to know this tiny but mighty, St. Philomena.
Philomena was born in the late 3rd century in Greece to a pagan king and his wife. The royal couple deeply desired to grow their family, but were unable to conceive a child. Desperate to have a child, they decided to pray and ask God for help. 
Their prayers were answered, and they named their daughter Philomena, which means "Daughter of Light." In thanksgiving for their prayers being answered, the royal couple subsequently converted to Christianity. 
From a young age, Philomena exhibited a profound love for Christ. Her dedication was so deep that she chose to consecrate her virginity to God, fully committing herself body, mind, heart, and soul to Jesus. Philomena was also known for her cheerful obedience. In all things, Philomena sought to obey her parents and follow their guidance no matter what. 
When Philomena was just thirteen, her family traveled to Rome to seek peace with Emperor Diocletian. The emperor, captivated by Philomena's beauty, offered to marry her. However, Philomena refused his proposal, as she had already consecrated her virginity to Jesus. Enraged by her rejection, Diocletian subjected her to severe torture, in hopes that she might give up her vow to Jesus and instead make vows to him.
Despite the suffering, Philomena remained steadfast. She was scourged, drowned with an anchor tied around her neck, and shot with arrows, yet she miraculously survived each attack. According to tradition, it was through the intervention of angels and the Virgin Mary that she was healed and protected from harm. Finally, Diocletian ordered her beheading, and Philomena’s martyrdom was completed.
St. Philomena’s story might have been lost in history, if not for the discovery of her tomb in the Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome in 1802. Her remains were accompanied by a vial of her dried blood and a tile inscribed with the words "Peace be with you, Philomena." Soon after the discovery of her tomb, the faithful began to ask for her intercession and were amazed to watch problems be resolved and loved ones be healed upon asking for her intercession. 
Not long after the discovery of the tomb, a hu mble parish priest, Fr. Francesco di Lucia from the small town of Mugnano near Naples, arrived in Rome seeking relics of a martyr to spiritually re-vitalize his parish which had grown “weak in virtue,” according to the pastor. Through special assistance obtained through a friend who was close to the Holy Father, in 1805 Pope Pius VII consigned the sacred remains of Philomena to Fr. di Lucia for the people of Mugnano.
Due to the countless miracles that have been attributed to St. Philomena’s intercession, she is commonly known as the "Wonder Worker." From healing the sick to granting favors, her powerful intercession continues to inspire devotion among the faithful. Saints such as John Vianney and Pauline Jaricot (pronounced Jericho) even had deep devotion to her.
So, how can we draw inspiration from St. Philomena today? Her unwavering faith, purity, and courage in the face of immense suffering remind us of the power of God and His willingness to accompany us in our trials. St. Philomena teaches us that with God, we can endure even the most daunting difficulties.

Introduction to St. Philomena

Discover the inspiring legacy of St. Philomena, whose feast day we will be celebrating August 11th. This playlist offers a heartfelt journey through the life of this beloved saint, who is a beacon of purity, courage, and unwavering faith. Learn about St. Philomena’s extraordinary life, her miraculous intercessions, and her steadfast dedication to Christ, immerse yourself in a peaceful meditation that reflects on St. Philomena’s virtues, and join us in asking for her powerful intercession.
Let us pray together, asking for St. Philomena’s intercession:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O faithful virgin and glorious martyr, St. Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me. You know the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at your feet, full of misery but full of hope. I entreat your charity, O great saint! Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favorable answer to the requests which I entrust to you.
St. Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.