Very little is known historically about St Philomena. Her remains were discovered at the beginning of the 19th century in the catacombs of St Priscilla. Her story comes to us from private revelations from the saint herself in 1863 to 3 different people who prayed that they might know the story of her life and martyrdom.
St Philomena was born to parents of royal blood who were former pagans, but, on the advice of a holy man from Rome, were baptised in the Christian faith so as to obtain the gift from God of having a child, from which they previously were unable to even though they offered many prayers and sacrifices to their false gods.
Philomena, which means daughter of light, was dearly loved by her parents and they took her everywhere with them. One such journey, when she was 13 years old, was to Rome to appeal to Dioclesian on the matter of an unjust war.
Dioclesian became infatuated with Philomena and told her father he would give him his favour if he granted him the hand of his daughter. Her father was overjoyed and agreed at once. When he told Philomena of the agreement she was appalled for she had 2 years previously made a vow of virginity to God. Her parents did everything in their power to persuade her to accept the emperors offer but she would not yield. Eventually they brought her before Dioclesian, who proceeded to try and win her over but when he too failed she was thrown into prison and bound with heavy chains. Hoping that this would weaken her courage in God, Dioclesian visited her every day and renewed his attacks.
Philomena prayed fervently to Jesus and His Heavenly Mother. On the 37th day the Virgin Mary appeared to her with the Baby Jesus in her arms. She spoke to Philomena and told her that in three days she would leave the prison and would suffer greater trials. When she heard this she grew distressed but the Queen of Heaven consoled her saying she would send her Gabriel the Archangel to aid her in her trials. The vision disappeared leaving Philomena greatly comforted.
As foretold, on the 40th day she was taken from her prison. Dioclesian had decided to have her publicly tortured in the same way her chosen Spouse, Jesus, was tortured. He ordered her clothes removed, in view of many of the gentleman from his court, and had her scourged. When finally, she was so badly beaten that she was covered in blood, she was thrown back into the prison, where they presumed she would die of her injuries.
Two Angels appeared to her, but, instead of taking her to Heaven as she had hoped, they poured healing balm on her wounds so that when this was discovered and reported to the emperor, she was quite recovered and much strengthened. Dioclesian, thinking that the miracle of her cure was owed to the false god, Jupiter, proceeded to convince Philomena of this, saying that it was clear that the gods had chosen her to become empress of Rome. When she refused to believe his claims and failed to be seduced by his promises of honour and glory, he ordered her to be thrown in the river Tiber with an anchor tied around her neck. Again he did not succeed in killing her as, once again two angels came to her aid and cut the rope that bound her to the anchor. They then carried her onto the banks of the river, where many were converted to the faith in the site of this miracle. Dioclesian, on the other hand, claimed she had used magic of some form and had her dragged through the streets and shot with arrows. She was then taken back to her cell where she fell into a deep sleep and was cured yet again.
Dioclesian, by now enraged that she had escaped death once more, had her shot with arrows again. But the arrows would not meet their target. The emperor ordered the arrow heads be heated till red hot, believing that this would destroy the “enchantment” that he thought Philomena had cast. This time the arrows swung round and hit the archers who had fired them. The onlookers began to believe that this courageous maiden was truly protected by her God and there was much muttering in the crowd. Dioclesian began to grow fearful and ordered Philomena’s head be cut off. This done, her soul flew joyfully to Heaven where she was rewarded with the crown of a Virgin and Martyr, ranked highly among the saints of Heaven.
St Philomena is known as one of the most powerful saints in heaven. Nothing that she asks of God is refused! Many miracles have been obtained through her intercession with God.
St Philomena is the patron of desperate causes, children of Mary, children, forgotten causes, impossible causes, infertility, lost causes, The Living Rosary, newborns, orphans, poor people, priests, sick people, sickness, sterility, toddlers, young people and youth.
Prayer to St Philomena
O God, who dost sustain us by the merits and example of the blessed Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, mercifully grant that, strengthened in faith and charity, we may never be seperated from Thee by any temptation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
"St Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us!"
