St. Philomena
Feast 08-11
Patron of
About
Philomena is a young martyr whose remains were discovered in 1802 in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome, in a tomb marked with the inscription "Pax tecum Filumena" — "Peace be with you, Philomena." The tomb contained the bones of a girl of about thirteen, along with a vial of dried blood, a sign of martyrdom.
Devotion to her spread rapidly after miracles were reported at her shrine in Mugnano del Cardinale, near Naples, where her relics were enshrined. According to private revelations recorded by a nun, Philomena was a Greek princess who was martyred under the emperor Diocletian for refusing marriage and remaining faithful to Christ.
Philomena was never formally canonized, and her feast was removed from the general calendar in 1961 because so little is historically certain about her. Nevertheless, she remains widely venerated as a powerful intercessor, especially for young people, and is known as the "Wonder Worker."
Suggested prayer
O God, who crowned the young virgin Philomena with martyrdom and made her a wonder worker for the young, grant through her intercession that youth may remain faithful to Christ and receive the graces they seek. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
