Saint Philomena was an early Christian virgin martyr. She has been called “powerful with God” because of the favors that people seeking her intercession have received. She is patroness of the Living Rosary and of the Children of Mary, as well as of priests, youth (especially babies and children), the imprisoned, young married couples, etc. We can ask her powerful intercession in any of our needs!
A martyr is someone killed for his Christian faith. Regarding martyrdom, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith: it means bearing witness even unto death. The martyr bears witness to Christ who died and rose, to whom he is united by charity.
“He bears witness to the truth of the faith and of Christian doctrine. He endures death through an act of fortitude. ‘Let me become the food of the beasts, through whom it will be given me to reach God’ (St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Rom. 4,1:SCh 10,110)’” (paragraph 2473).
“The Christian is not to ‘be ashamed of testifying to our Lord’ (2 Timothy 1:8) in deed and word. Martyrdom is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith” (paragraph 2506).
Fr. William Saunders comments further: “Rather than renounce his faith, the martyr bears witness with extraordinary fortitude to the belief that Christ suffered, died, and rose from the dead for our salvation, and to the truths of our Catholic faith. (The word martyr itself means ‘witness’).”
At this time in history, most of us likely will not be called upon to give our lives for the Faith. However, in today’s world, while no one is trying to kill us for being true to Christ, many of us endure “white martyrdoms,” persecutions of some type for living our faith in our homes, workplaces, and society. Let us strive to stay strong in our Faith, and let us ask the intercession of St. Philomena for perseverance!
A number of saints had a devotion to this special saint. They include Saint John Vianney, Padre Pio, Saint Frances Cabrini, Saint Damien of Molokai, Saint John Neumann, Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Saint Peter Chanel, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, and Blessed Anna Maria Taigi.
St. John Vianney is especially well known for his devotion to St. Philomena. In fact, he attributed miracles God worked through him to God’s action through the intercession of St. Philomena, to whom he frequently prayed.
He said, “I do not work miracles. I am but a poor ignorant man who once upon a time tended sheep. Address yourselves to St. Philomena; I have never asked anything through her without being answered.”
Let us ask the powerful intercession of St. Philomena, powerful with God, for all our needs and intentions!
Novena to St. Philomena
We beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant us the pardon of our sins by the intercession of Saint Philomena, virgin and martyr, who was always pleasing in Thy sight by her eminent chastity and by the profession of every virtue. Amen.
Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereupon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God; 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 (here specify your petition).
Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Saint Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us. Amen.
O God, Most Holy Trinity, we thank Thee for the graces Thou didst bestow upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, and upon Thy handmaid Philomena, through whose intercession we implore Thy Mercy. Amen.
Litany of St. Philomena
Composed by St. John Vianney
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, 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 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 abundant graces from your birth, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, model of virginity, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the glory of God, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, victim of love for 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 most heroic virtue, 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 rain of arrows, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, consoled in chains by the Mother of God, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, miraculously healed in prison, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, comforted by the angels in your torments, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who preferred torments, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who converted witnesses by your martyrdom, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who wore out the fury of your tormentors, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, protectress of the innocent, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, patroness of youth, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, health of the sick and infirm, 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 rejuvenates the faith and courage of the faithful, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, whose name is glorious in Heaven and feared in hell, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, made illustrious by the most splendid miracles, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who reigns in glory, pray for us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Worker of Wonders, Saint Philomena,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O Lord, through the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, whose eminent purity and practice of every virtue was most pleasing to you, pardon our sins and grant us the grace of (add your special intention), through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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