St. Philomena is a virgin and martyr whose main feast day falls on August 11th. She gave her life for Christ in the Diocletian persecution in the early Fourth Century. Her relics were discovered in 1802 in the ancient catacomb of St. Priscilla in Rome. Very quickly, devotion to her spread. Particularly prominent in this was the Saintly Cure of Ars, St. Jean-Marie Vianney. Other saints prayed to her and sang her praises, especially St. Peter Julian Eymard, St. Peter Chanel, St. Anthony Mary Claret, St, Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Euphrasier Pelletier, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. John Neumann, and St. Anna Maria Taigi.
St. Philomena has been successfully invoked by her suppliants in every sort of need. She has, like St. Rita, become the Patroness of previously “impossible” cases; in particular, the conversion of sinners, the return of the Sacraments of the lapsed, expectant or destitute mothers, problems with children, unhappiness in the home, sterility, priests and their work, the sick, the missions, money problems, the poor, and the mentally ill. Her devotees have discovered that no case, of whatever nature, is too trivial or great to concern her.
St. Philomena’s colors are red and white, signifying her blood shed for the Faith and her virginal purity. She died in her thirteenth year for her faith in Christ and her refusal to break a vow to our Lord. The appropriateness of her patronage in our times is attested to as we witness the Church and the world assailed by a tidal wave of infidelity and moral decadence. St. Philomena is a most powerful intercessor, seemingly “held in reserve” for so many centuries until she could help us in our present era of direst need. |
|
Topic: Saint of the day (Read 536419 times)