Virgin & Martyr
Born: January 10th 291, Corfu, Greece
Died: August 10th 301, Rome, Italy
Feast: August 11th, August 10th (Formally) (Coptic)
The Life of St Philomena
St. Philomena was the daughter of the king of a small city in Greece. As they could not have children, her parents offered sacrifices and prayers to false gods to obtain the grace of a child. At that time, there was a Christian Roman doctor in the city named Publius. Moved by the Holy Ghost, he spoke to them about the Christian faith, assuring them that if they converted to Christianity, their prayers would be heard by God. The King and Queen were touched by divine grace and, after careful consideration, received the holy Sacrament of Baptism.
St. Philomena was born at the beginning of the following year and was called ‘Lumena,’ which means ‘Light,’ since she was born after her parents had received the light of the Catholic Faith. At Baptism, she was given the name Philomena, meaning ‘Friend of Light,’ which illuminated her soul by the grace of the Sacrament. It should also be noted that in Latin, ‘Filumena’ means ‘daughter of light.’
St. Philomena’s parents loved her dearly, and her father couldn’t bear to have her out of his sight. This is why, at the age of thirteen, she accompanied them to Rome. They were going to plead with the Emperor, who intended to go to war against their kingdom and sought their submission by means of war.
While the king was pleading for peace, the Emperor could not take his eyes off the young virgin. Diocletian assured the king that he would spare his city if he gave him his daughter in marriage. Both parents agreed. Upon their return home, they tried to convince St. Philomena that she would love being the ‘Empress of Rome.’ However, she rejected the proposition, having already offered herself to Jesus Christ and made a vow of chastity at the age of eleven.
Her parents pleaded with her to accept the offer for their sake and the sake of their country. However, her virginity took precedence over everything else. Despite this, they were still compelled to return to Diocletian. The tyrant sought to convince St. Philomena to marry him with gifts and riches, but she would not. Then he turned to threats of torture, but to no avail.
Finally, the cruel Emperor locked her in his dungeon, chaining her up and giving her only a little food and water. Even in this dark time, she unceasingly entrusted herself to her Divine Spouse and His Blessed Mother. It was during this time that she received a heavenly vision of the Mother of God, who came to strengthen her for the torments that were to come
Diocletian first ordered St. Philomena to be tied to a pillar and scourged mercilessly—a punishment too common among the Romans. Even Our Lord was scourged before His crucifixion. Afterward, the dauntless virgin was locked back in the dungeon, left to die, but she was miraculously healed. The deceitful sovereign, trying to sway her, claimed that she owed her healing to the idol Jupiter, who had destined her to be the Empress. The courageous virgin firmly rejected this idea, which only filled the Emperor with rage.
Next, inspired by the evil spirits, Diocletian commanded that the holy virgin be thrown into a river with an iron anchor tied around her neck. However, Our Blessed Lord, demonstrating His power and triumph over false gods, sent an angel to free her from the anchor. This miracle led many bystanders to convert. Enraged, the merciless tyrant then ordered the holy maiden to be pierced with arrows. Mortally wounded, she was cast back into prison, but once again, she miraculously recovered.
The ruthless Emperor ordered that St. Philomena be pierced with arrows once more. This time, the arrows wouldn’t even leave the bows, and he declared that the angelic virgin must be a witch using magic on them. To counter this, the arrows were set on fire. But once again, this proved futile, as Our Lord and God saved His beloved Philomena by turning the arrows back, killing the archers in the process. This miraculous event led to many conversions to the true faith.
Fearing greater consequences, the cruel Diocletian ordered the virtuous martyr to be beheaded. The soul of the glorious and triumphant Saint Philomena ascended into Heaven, where she received the crown of a Virgin and Martyr.
Prayer in honor of St Philomena
Hail, O illustrious St. Philomena,
who shed so courageously your blood for Christ!
I bless the Lord for all the graces
He has bestowed upon thee during thy life,
and especially at thy death.
I praise and glorify Him
for the honor and power with which
He has crowned thee,
and I beg thee to obtain for me from God
the graces I ask through thy intercession
PDF for Saint Philomena Chaplet
Comment on St Philomena
Today is the day. The feast of Our patron saint. Her intercession is much need today. For an increase of faith Jesus Christ Our Lord and God. Also for an increase of the virtue of purity and chastity among the youth as she is also their patron.
I cannot recommend devotion to this great saint of God enough and would ask you to consider watching or reading any of the sources below to increase knowledge of her. I have especially enjoyed reading the first book listed below by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan which goes into depth not only of her life, but also in how St Philomena’s relics where found as well as a history of the catacombs, where so many early Christian martyrs are buried, (Many still unknown to us.)
If you can I would ask that you pray, if it is God’s will to reveal to us another glorious martyr of whom we need their intercession today. Let us also remember the Coptic Orthodox who venerate St Philomena, (as she died before the schism,). Let us pray that they may reunite with the See of Rome and thank God for those who have already returned in communion.
Lord Jesus Christ, Have mercy upon us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Dormition, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, pray for us.
Sancta Filumena, ora pro nobis
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References & Other Sources
Saint Philomena the Wonder-Worker by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, O.P., Tan Books (2012) Original (1925).
Saint Philomena Powerful with God by Sister Marie Helene Mohr, S.C., Tan Books (2010) Original (1953).
St. Philomena – Saints & Angels – Catholic