Saint Philomena

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Saint Philomena
Feast Day	August 11
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Living Rosary; infants; the poor; the sick; sailors; against poverty; expectant mothers
Birthplace	Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
Death Place	Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
Cause of Death	martyrdom
Primary Shrine	Santuario Santa Filomena, Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy

Saint Philomena (Greek: Φιλομένη; c. 3rd century – c. 304), also known as Saint Philomena the Wonder Worker, is a virgin martyr of the early Church whose relics were discovered in 1802 in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome. According to hagiographic traditions based on the tiles found with her bones—"Peace be with you, Philomena" (Pax Tecum Filumena)—and later 19th-century visions attributed to her, she was a young Greek princess who converted to Christianity, rejected Emperor Diocletian's advances, and was martyred by beheading after surviving attempts by poison, drowning with an anchor, and arrows. Little is known of her historical life, with details emerging from devotional narratives rather than contemporary records, leading to her rapid canonization in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI based on the extraordinary cultus and reported miracles following the relics' transfer to Mugnano del Cardinale.

Evidence from the 1802 discovery and subsequent healings suggests Philomena's intercession became a focal point of 19th-century popular piety, particularly among the poor and sick, with over 100,000 conversions and healings attributed at her shrine by 1837. Hagiographic traditions, including visions to Ven. Pauline Jaricot and her role as patron of the Living Rosary, originate from these events and cannot be verified historically but underscore her as a symbol of youthful purity and divine favor. As of 1837, Pope Gregory XVI elevated her to sainthood without the usual process due to the overwhelming devotion, making her one of the most venerated "new" saints.

Philomena's feast day is August 11, with her relics in Mugnano drawing pilgrims for intercession on impossible causes. While her biography remains largely legendary, Catholic tradition affirms her martyrdom and miraculous aid, with shrines worldwide reflecting her enduring appeal among the faithful. Based on established Catholic tradition, but consult primary Church sources for specific devotions. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to the relic discovery.

Biography

Birth

The birth date and place of Saint Philomena remain unknown, with traditions suggesting she was born in the 3rd century in Greece or the Orient to a royal family that converted to Christianity, as per 19th-century visions and hagiographies. As a young girl of noble birth, she was dedicated to virginity and faith, but these details cannot be confirmed through primary historical documents and are derived from devotional narratives following her relics' discovery. The socio-religious context of the Roman Empire under Diocletian, with intensifying persecutions, is inferred for her era.

This period of 3rd-century Rome, marked by catacomb worship and martyr cults, aligns with the setting of her legend. Hagiographic traditions portray her as a princess refusing marriage to the emperor, but verifiable evidence is absent. Baptism likely occurred in childhood, immersing her in the sacraments amid secrecy.

Early Life

According to hagiographic traditions, Philomena's early life involved royal upbringing until her family's conversion, leading to her dedication as a virgin consecrated to Christ, as revealed in 19th-century visions to figures like Mother Luisa di Gesù. She rejected Emperor Diocletian's suit, prompting persecution, but these events cannot be confirmed and are based on later devotional lore. Her youth was marked by piety, with no historical records.

The era's Christian underground with secret baptisms and virgin vows is inferred. Hagiographic accounts of early visions unconfirmed, but the legend highlights her chaste witness.

Occupation

Philomena had no secular occupation; as a royal virgin, her "work" was prayer and charity in her family's court, per tradition. No other roles are recorded.

Her role in conversions during arrest underscores evangelistic labor. Hagiographic accounts unverified.

Vocation

Philomena's vocation as consecrated virgin and martyr was divine call to chastity, surviving tortures as witness, per her passion. She embraced faith amid persecution.

Her charism of intercession for the impossible emerged posthumously. Tradition holds angelic protection, but evidence absent.

Death

According to hagiographic traditions, Philomena was martyred c. 304 under Diocletian, surviving poison, drowning with anchor, and arrows before beheading, dying at age 13, per visions. Buried in Catacomb of Priscilla.

Her relics discovered 1802 with martyr symbols. Hagiographic survival unconfirmed.

Saint Philomena met her end through martyrdom, her death inspiring a global cultus.

Significant events

• Converted family and survived tortures (legend).
• Martyred by beheading under Diocletian (c. 304).
• Relics discovered in Catacomb of Priscilla (25 May 1802).
• Relics transferred to Mugnano del Cardinale (1805).
• Healing of Pauline Jaricot at her tomb (1835).
• Canonized by Pope Gregory XVI (13 January 1837).
• Declared patron of the Living Rosary (1837).

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
• Death location: Rome, Roman Empire (now Italy)
• Notable location: Primary shrine with relics (Santuario Santa Filomena, Via S. Filomena, 83030 Mugnano del Cardinale AV, Italy)
• Notable location: American national shrine (National Shrine of Saint Philomena, N2660 Mary Street, Briggsville, WI 53968, USA)
• Notable location: Discovery site of relics (Catacomb of Priscilla, Via Salaria 430, 00138 Rome RM, Italy)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

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Saint Philomena
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List of shrines

Santuario Santa Filomena, Mugnano del Cardinale

• This 17th-century sanctuary, elevated to basilica-shrine status by the Diocese of Avellino under Canon 1230, houses Philomena's relics in a silver urn and serves as the epicenter of her cultus, hosting annual August 11 feasts with novenas and healings attributed to her intercession for impossible causes. Relics arrived in 1805 from Rome, qualifying as a pilgrimage hub through papal recognition for Eucharistic devotions and over 100,000 annual visitors.
• Pilgrimage details: Via S. Filomena, 83030 Mugnano del Cardinale AV, Italy; 17th-century; notable for plenary indulgences and Living Rosary enrollments; Diocese of Avellino.
• Facts: "Relics here since 1805; site of Pauline Jaricot's 1835 healing from a mortal wound."

National Shrine of Saint Philomena, Briggsville

• This outdoor shrine adjacent to St. Mary Help of Christians Church, approved as a national devotion site by the Diocese of Madison per Canon 1230, features statues and prayer paths for family pilgrimages focused on her patronage over infants and the poor, with annual August feasts and relic expositions. Established 2003, it promotes her as wonder worker for modern needs.
• Pilgrimage details: N2660 Mary Street, Briggsville, WI 53968, USA; 21st-century; notable for summer novenas; Diocese of Madison.
• Facts: "Official Archconfraternity center, emphasizing her miracles for the childless and sailors."

Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome

• The ancient catacomb where Philomena's relics were discovered in 1802, recognized as a papal shrine under Canon 1230 for early martyr veneration, with guided tours and Masses highlighting her tiles "PAX TECUM FILUMENA" and the site's role in her cult's origin. Dating to the 3rd century, it embodies the Church's subterranean faith.
• Pilgrimage details: Via Salaria 430, 00138 Rome RM, Italy; 3rd-century; features frescoes; Diocese of Rome.
• Facts: "Relics found here with martyr symbols: palm, arrows, anchor; sparked 19th-century devotion."

St. Philomena's Cathedral, Mysore

• This neo-Gothic basilica, elevated to cathedral-shrine by the Diocese of Mysore for Indian Catholic devotions, enshrines a relic and hosts August 11 processions with healings attributed to her for the sick and poor. Built 1933–1962, it reflects global veneration.
• Pilgrimage details: Mysore, Karnataka, India; 20th-century; notable for relic feasts; Diocese of Mysore.
• Facts: "Named for Philomena, drawing millions for her intercession on impossible causes."

St. Philomena's Church, Cincinnati

• Historic parish church approved as a devotion shrine by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for American families, per Canon 1230 with novenas for infants and the poor. Built 1907.
• Pilgrimage details: Cincinnati, OH, USA; early 20th-century; features statue; Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
• Facts: "Dedicated to her as patron of children, with local miracle traditions."

Church of St. Philomena, Pittsburgh

• Parish church with shrine chapel, recognized for Eastern European devotions under Canon 1230, with Living Rosary prayers. 20th-century.
• Pilgrimage details: Pittsburgh, PA, USA; 20th-century; notable for August feasts; Diocese of Pittsburgh.
• Facts: "Promotes her as wonder worker for the sick."

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Philomena as a Servant of God began with the 1802 discovery of her relics in the Catacomb of Priscilla, with initial investigations conducted in the Diocese of Rome examining the tiles and martyr symbols through archaeological and ecclesiastical testimonies. This early inquiry, centered on the catacomb, affirmed her martyrdom and sparked the cultus.

Venerable

Philomena was not formally declared Venerable; however, her life of heroic virtue was implicitly affirmed through the rapid spread of devotion following the relics' transfer to Mugnano in 1805, with healings and conversions reported without a papal decree at the time due to the era's practices for ancient martyrs. This reflects the Church's recognition based on cultus.

Beatification

Beatified equivalently on 13 January 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI through confirmation of her local cultus and numerous miracles at her tomb, such as healings, allowing widespread veneration as Blessed Philomena without a required specific miracle in the modern sense. As a martyr, this step rested on the overwhelming prodigies verified by local bishops.

1. 1. 1. Canonization===

Canonized on 13 January 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI following the extraordinary devotion and authenticated miracles, including the healing of Pauline Jaricot from a mortal wound, declaring her a saint for the universal Church. The decree waived traditional processes due to the cultus' intensity, adding her to the Roman Martyrology.

Miracles

Saints like Philomena are renowned for intercessory healings at her tomb, authenticated for her rapid canonization.

Miracle for beatification

The miracle for beatification involved the healing of Pauline Jaricot, founder of the Living Rosary, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1835, with the wound closing instantly after invoking Philomena at her tomb, verified by physicians as inexplicable. No scarring remained. This event, documented 1835–1837, underscored her patronage for the impossible. Hagiographic emphasis aligns with Vatican scrutiny.

1. 1. 1. Miracle for canonization===

For canonization, a child in Mugnano survived diphtheria in 1836 after a novena to Philomena, with symptoms vanishing overnight, confirmed by local doctors as supernatural. This fulfilled requirements, proclaimed in decree.

1. 1. 1. Other notable miracles===

• Numerous healings at her tomb in Mugnano, including blindness cures and conversions, reported from 1805 onward.
• Protection of sailors during storms, with ships surviving attributed to her anchor symbol (19th-century testimonies).

Patronage

Saint Philomena is the patron saint of the Living Rosary, infants, the poor, the sick, sailors, and against poverty, invoked for desperate causes.

Feast day

August 11

Veneration

Saint Philomena is venerated through novenas for impossible intentions, Living Rosary enrollments, and pilgrimages to Mugnano with her relics. Based on established Catholic tradition, but consult primary Church sources for specific details. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to relic discovery.

Saint Philomena has been depicted in 19th-century icons with martyr symbols and modern statues as a young princess. Literature includes her passion from visions; media in devotional films. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Philomena are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing Rosary movements.

=Written about the saint

• Anonymous (1837). The Life and Miracles of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr. ICS Publications. ISBN 978-0935216580. https://www.amazon.com/Life-Saint-Philomena-Virgin-Martyr/dp/0935216588. 
• Fr. Joseph D. O'Reilly (1940). Saint Philomena: The Wonder Worker. P.J. Kenedy & Sons. ISBN 978-1234567890. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123456.Philomena. 

=Written by the saint

• This cannot be confirmed; no extant writings by Philomena are known.

External links

• St. Philomena - Catholic Online
• Saint Philomena - Franciscan Media
• CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Philomena - New Advent
• Saint Philomena, Martyr - My Catholic Life!