5.  Doctors and surgeons convened the next day to give their opinion and stated ... that the relics were those of a girl not more than fourteen years of age. Also in the tomb was a small vile of blood as was the custom with Martyrs for the Catholic Faith (i.e. Christianity).

6.  The Saint Philomena relics were brought to ... Our Lady of Graces Church in Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy.  After the translation of the relics there followed many miracles ... by the intercession of Saint Philomena.

7.  Five Popes (from 1800 to 1914) ... advocate for and defend Saint Philomena the wonder worker. Pope Pius X (died 1914 A.D.) states none of these decrees can ever be reversed or vacated. Soul damning liar, Roncalli (a.k.a. "john-23") removed Saint Philomena from all liturgical calendars in 1961, "amazing, I wonder why" ... this Section answers that question.

This Section includes ...
 
Sub-part A:   Saint Philomena ... relics discovery ... the three tile message ... and persecution

Sub-part B:   Miracles attributed to Saint Philomena ... starting exactly when her relics were brought to Our Lady of Graces Church

Sub-part C:   Saint Philomena (1,500 years after her martyrdom) ... provides matching revelations about her life ... to three geographically separated people (two provided here) ... not known to each other ... the first revelation to Mother Maria Luisa di Gesù, a Dominican Nun

Sub-part D:   Saint Philomena revelation of her life ... to a Priest, unknown to Mother Maria Luisa di Gesù

Sub-part E:   Decrees ... by five Popes, from 1800 to 1914 ... advocate for and defend Saint Philomena the wonder worker

Sub-part F:   Additional notes ... regarding Saint Philomena

Sub-part G:   Litany to Saint Philomena

~     ~     ~



The top row tiles ... attached to the outside of the tomb read
Pax Tecum Filumena = Peace with you Filumena

The second row of tiles is how they were attached to the tomb
when discovered ... there are various explanations on
why they were out of order

~     ~     ~

Philomena was named at birth ... Lumena, meaning light. When she was Baptized the "Fi" was added resulting in Filumena. "Fi" in Latin means "be" or "become".
So that Filumena is ... "Be Light" or "Become Light".  This is in line with four Scriptures that speak of ... "children of light" ... Luke 16:8,  John 12:36,  1 Thessalonians 5:5,  and Ephesians 5:8.

Filumena may also be thought of as ... Daughter of Light ... from the Latin "filia" (daughter) and "lumen" (light).

Saint Filumena when speaking of her Baptism in revelation to Mother Maria Luisa di Gesù in 1833:  "The day of my Baptism they called me "Filumena", or "Daughter of Light", because on that day I was born to the Faith."

Philomena spelling (English and Greek) ... Filomena spelling (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch)

~     ~     ~

The statue picture above ... communicates the persecution of Saint Philomena.

1. The arrows ... refer to the fact that Saint Philomena was shot at ... with arrows in an attempt to kill her. The arrows changed in mid-flight and went back to the shooting soldiers and killed them. Not all soldiers were killed in this manner ... the ones which were not killed ... converted to the Catholic Faith. This demonstrates the brute force power of the Catholic God in the control over absolutely everything.

2. The anchor ... refers to the fact that emperor Diocletian wanted to drown her in the Tiber River by having an anchor tied around her neck. After Philomena was cast into the river ... two Angels detached the anchor and lifted her out of the river. Upon seeing this vast numbers that were watching on the river bank converted to the Catholic Faith.

            

4. The palm ... represent martyrdom, killed for believing and living the Catholic Faith.

5. The white lilies ... represent virginity ... Philomena was a Virgin Martyr.

6. The crown of flowers ... represents wisdom and glory. When one is in Heaven they are considered glorified.  Isaias 62:3 > "And thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord."

7. After these persecutions ... Saint Philomena was eventually beheaded by pagan emperor Diocletian.

~     ~     ~

The tiles on Saint Philomena's tomb ... communicate the persecution of Saint Philomena

1. The arrows on all three tiles ... refer to the fact that Saint Philomena was shot at ... with arrows in an attempt to kill her.

2. The anchors on the first and third tiles ... refers to the fact that emperor Diocletian wanted to drown her in the Tiber River by having an anchor tied around her neck.

3. The palm on the first tile ... is the palm of martyrdom.

4. The lily on the second tile ... is the lily of purity.

There was also a vile of blood in the tomb ... which is an indication of martyrdom.

~     ~     ~

Saint Philomena relics are placed ... in Our Lady of Graces Church ... 22 miles east of Naples

A local Priest seeing the tiles and the vile of blood ... realized that this person was an early martyr and would be powerful in Heaven as an intercessor.

He sought therefore to bring the relics of Saint Philomena to his Church ... Our Lady of Graces in Mugnano, Italy ... and wanted Philomena's relics at his Parish.

The relics of Saint Philomena arrived at Our Lady of Graces Church ... on 10 August 1805 (same as martyr date).

Local priests and bishops began to document a number of miracles ... see Sub-part B.

St. Philomena was scourged, drowned with an anchor attached to her, and shot with arrows. Each time she was attacked angels took to her side and healed her through prayer and application of oils.

It was on a Friday at three in the afternoon ... that Philomena was beheaded ... matching the day and time that the Catholic Jesus Christ died.

Diocletian was known for executing Catholics by arrows so that ... the Saint Philomena persecution ties in with historical evidence.

Diocletian was also known for executing Catholics by tying an anchor around their necks and casting them into the Tiber River ... again, Saint Philomena persecution ties in with historical evidence.

~     ~     ~

There are miracles on this section which were ... investigated, documented and approved by staff at Our Lady of Graces Church ... and by the Bishop's offices of the Diocese of Nola.

The fame of Saint Philomena spread rapidly across Italy and Europe.

Miracles such as these ... prove the person is in Heaven, and they are seeing the Catholic God. They are much closer to God (understatement) so they can be our intercessors as we see ... in the forty-three (43) intercession scriptures on Sections 48 and 48.1.

- - - - - - - - - -

The first four miracles here happened ... in just the first week after
Saint Philomena's relics were brought to Our Lady of Graces Church ...

1.  Church bells ring on their own

As soon as the Saint Philomena relics arrived at ... Our Lady of Graces Church ... the Church bells started ringing on their own.

A paralytic in the town (Mugnano) ... Angelo Bianco upon hearing the Church bells ... after the arrival of the Saint Philomena relics ... was instantly cured and ran into the Church to the amazement of all the townspeople.

The child's mother was a poor widow, and had carried her in her arms into the Church.

The child cured had been disabled; she could neither walk nor stand; it was known to all the village, and all the village after Mass saw her walk through the streets, announcing the miracle of which she had been the object, and to which they all bore testimony, both in congratulating the child, and in filling the air with their joyful acclamations.

After the above miracle ... later in the day at Vespers ...

The miracle of the disabled girl ... attracted such a large number to vespers, that the Church could not hold all the people. A great number remained outside, among whom was a woman of the village of Avella.

The women was holding in her arms a little girl, about two years old, who had been blinded by the small-pox. The most celebrated physicians of the capital had been consulted; they considered the disease incurable.

Animated, immediately, with a living faith, she takes some oil from the lamp that burned before St. Philomena ... and she anointed the eyes of her child, and the little girl was instantly cured ... she could see.

At this miracle there are new cries of joy, and new emotions produced by exultation and gratitude. The priest at Vespers .... Don Antonio Yetrano ... could no longer be heard; and as every one was demanding with clamor to see the child, he brought the child to an elevated area of the Church for all to see. All were filled with wonder and proclaimed aloud the power of God and the glory of His servant, Saint Philomena.

Pauline was making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Saint Philomena ... as Pauline was in very bad condition with many health issues.

On her way to the Shrine she met with the Pope Gregory XVI and asked ... if she comes back to the Vatican cured (on her way back) will the Pope approve public honor of Philomena.

August 8, 1835 ... Pauline arrives at the Shrine looking more like a corpse than a living person.

The townspeople saw this and gathered together ... the town adopted a petition reminding Saint Philomena that her reputation was at stake ... and if this pious lady Pauline was not cured they would pray to her no more ... return her to health right now !

Two days later on August 10th at the moment of Benediction (in times when there was Mass) ... Pauline was instantly cured and this was witnessed by everyone.

This was 30 years to the day that ... Saint Philomena's relics arrived at Our Lady of Graces Church.

The next day ... Pauline left a huge crowd and began walking back to Rome ... about 140 miles.

Pauline goes to Pope Gregory XVI unannounced and Gregory was so shocked he said  ...  "Is it really you or is this an apparition ?"   "Is this really my dear daughter, the sickest of the sick with an impossible cure and has she come back from the grave ... or has God manifested in her a favor of the power of the virgin martyr Philomena."

Gregory asked Pauline to walk through the halls of the Vatican as a further proof.

Alexander Serio had been suffering for several years from an internal disease, which was wasting him away.

His wife ... was full of hope in the mediation of St. Philomena ... she prayed to her, and got others to offer fervent prayers to obtain the recovery of her husband.

In 1814 on the anniversary of the moving of Saint Philomena's relics to Our Lady of Graces Church ... Alexander, who was in the Church with his wife, was attacked with violent pains in his bowels, which seemed to threaten his life. He was quickly carried home, and his disease, in a few hours, made such a rapid and alarming progress, that his life was despaired of.

By an inspiration of faith, laying hold of an image of the Saint Philomena, she placed it on her dying husband, asking, at least, the favor of seeing him comforted by the last sacraments before he should expire. With this prayer she made a vow: she promised, in the name of her husband, to have erected in the chapel of St. Philomena an altar of marble.

At that moment the dying man recovered the use of his senses. He declared he was out of danger ... he no longer felt pain and the usual symptoms of the malady that so long afflicted him had disappeared.

A Franciscan Sister Maria Gesualda Carelli was about to die.

She had received the last Sacraments because she was so ill she could no longer open her eyes let alone feed herself. Everybody was just waiting for her to die.

When a priest applied on her face an image of Saint Philomena ... instantaneously Sister Maria Gesualda sat on the bed and shouted ... "I’m healed !"

Cardinal Galeffi, protector of the monastery of the Saints Cosma and Damiano, ascertained the healing on the spot and Cardinal Zurla, vicar of His Sanctity, dealt with the necessary legal information.

In 1831, at Naples a poor washer woman, was having a pregnancy which caused her much suffering. The name of this poor woman was Anne Moccia.

To obtain some ease in her sufferings, she resolved to burn, day and night, a lamp before the image of Saint Philomena.

Anne endured, during five days, violent pains ... the time came that the midwife was certain that the infant was dead for three days past.

Anne was in mild complaint: "Is this, then, what I have asked of you ?  Is this the return for the oil I have expended ?"

At this point the child was stillborn ... the midwife hid this from Anne for 90 minutes it was the 13th of March.

Anne in a fallen state said: "A great favor you have indeed done me !  Away !  I don't wish you any longer in my house. Take this image; put it out of my sight."

But ... the living faith that prompted these words moved Heaven, and was repaid by a mighty favor; for at that same moment the infant moved; it cried, and every one in the house ran toward it, shouting out, "A miracle! A miracle!"

The infant was baptized, and after thirty-five days its innocent soul departed, to join in heaven her who obtained for it the two-fold life of nature and of grace (Water Baptism). This miracle made a great noise at Naples; and several learned and pious ecclesiastics published it in all directions to the honor of the glorious saint.

Note: If the child had not been brought back to life for Baptism ... the soul would have descended into the Limbo section of Hell forever ... to be joined by their body at the end of the world (See Section 1.1, Baptism Dogmas ... Sections 7.2.1, 7.2.2, Baptism scriptures in defense of the Dogmas).

Rose de Lucia, cousin of Don Francis (local Priest) had a child about eight years old, which, in spite of the mother's care and all the efforts of medicine, had been sinking under a severe sickness: at last he expired in the sight of his parents and of several other persons.

His poor mother could scarcely believe her dear child was no more. She tried every means to justify a hope that her heart could not quit; but, finally, every thing proving unavailing, she became aware of the afflicting certainty that her son was dead.

St. Philomena had not heard the ardent prayers that had been so often addressed to her by a disconsolate mother. In the bitterness of her heart, her faith seemed to revive with increased force. She ran to the image of the saint, took it from the wall to which it was hung, and placed it upon the lifeless body of her child, asking, with loud cries and torrents of tears, that her son might be restored.

At that moment the corpse arose, and, as if he had awakened from sleep, he moved to the foot of his bed; and those that were sorrowing beheld him ... not only returned to life without the least symptom of illness, but vigorous and full of health.

A child, about eleven years old, of the name of Giacomo d'Elia, son of a surgeon of Visciano, had his foot broken by the wheel of a carriage that passed over it.

The pain was so great that he became insensible, and was carried home half dead. Immediately, not-withstanding the efforts of art, the wound became gangrenous, and, on account of the extreme weakness of the boy, amputation being impracticable, his death was daily expected.

In this state of things a priest of the place arrived; he had an image of the Saint Philomena, brought for veneration by the family, and recommended them to interest St. Philomena in their favor.

They knelt down and recited in common the litany of the Blessed Virgin, and the priest, approaching the bed of the child, awoke him from his lethargy, and showed him the image of the Saint Philomena.

At the sight, young d'Elia began to speak, and appeared to be no longer ill ... the wound was quickly uncovered, the gangrene had disappeared. The foot was cured, the child got up, and, although he wanted a toe, he walked with perfect ease.

The favor that had been obtained by a child not five years old was extraordinary. The child's name was Philomena ... her parents were Maria Monteforte and Kicolo Canonico.

One day, as the child was playing near an oven, the door came off and fell upon one of her feet, taking off the fourth toe.

Night came, and little Philomena could not sleep. While the whole family were sleeping, Saint Philomena appeared to her, gave her some sweet meats ... saying, "My little Philomena, take courage! You will tell your mamma that she must weep no more, and that I will cure you." She disappeared.

The child began immediately to cry out, calling its mother; the mother ran to the child, as well as all the persons in the house. Philomena told them what she had seen, what had been given her.

They long to see the cure take place. They saw it realized the next morning; for she walked about as before, but still wanted the toe that had been cut off.

Saint Philomena visited the girl two more times ... giving here sweet treats.

This hope was not in vain. Two days before the feast of the Saint, little Philomena received a toe in place of the one she had lost. But it was not the same as the former one, which had been buried in the Church yard.

The young girl's name was Philomena ... her parents' names were Tommaso Tedeseo and Ursula Serio it was the year 1830. The accident happened on Saint Philomena's feast day.

The scissor point injured the girl's right eye ... after which there was five days where the wound issued forth blood and water.

The afflicted family had recourse to the intercession of the holy martyr, Saint Philomena.

Father Don Francis (local priest), informed of the accident told the girl ... "My dear, go directly to the Church; put your finger into the lamp (oil) of the Saint (Philomena), and with the oil that will be on the finger, carefully, yourself, anoint the wound."

The eye was perfectly cured, contrary to the expectation of the doctors, who thought it could not be returned to normal. And besides this, there was observed something more brilliant in it than in the left eye.

Some days after the eye restoring, Philomena met one of her cousins whose face had been severely burned by the fireworks on the feast day.

Philomena immediately told her cousin to do what she did with the candle oil by the Saint Philomena side Chapel.

According to Philomena, nothing was easier than having a cure for a serious injury ... it was only necessary to go and take some oil, and to rub with it the eye and cheek, and all would be fine.

The little boy goes, and does as his cousin told him, and the next day in waking he found himself so perfectly cured, that in seeing him, one would have doubted if he even had an accident.

Parents ... Giovanni, and wife Maria Teresa Bovini did not have the means at this point to get baby clothes for the expected infant.

Maria states ... "Where can she place her child ?  How shall she procure for it the requisite clothes ?  But God can do all things, and St. Philomena, if she wishes to aid me, can work a miracle for me."

Moved with compassion, the midwife took a garment from her shoulders and wrapped the child in it. The mother did have a worn belt in a trunk to hold the donated garment to the baby.

The mother told the midwife where the belt was in the trunk ... and when she opened it ... there a little bundle of neat and elegant clothes, neatly arranged. There issued from them so sweet an odor, that the air was embalmed with it.

Anthony Cohard, age seven years ... on 9 August 1848, in Saint Philomena Church of Ars France ... through Saint Philomena’s intercession, got the use of his legs.

Giovanna Cescutti, was a young woman of about 20 years of age who lived in Venice. She suffered various illnesses which could not be cured. She suffered extreme pains which often left her at death’s door.

On 6 July 1835 the parish priest of Santa Maria del Giglio, Don Antonio Magnana ... call her family in to recite ... a prayer to Saint Philomena which Giovanna could barely speak.

Then around 11 p.m. the Priest, ended the prayers of the sick and thinking that the woman had passed away, asked the people there to recite three Our Fathers in honour of Saint Philomena.

As soon as these prayers were completed ... Giovanna got up and with clear and vigorous voice she proclaimed: "Oh Dear! I am better, thanks to God I am in good health again after 10 years suffering."

This instant recovery from all her long term illnesses was of great amazement to those familiar with Giovanna ... and it was acknowledged by area doctors.

A description of the miracle ... in Latin was placed in the Church praising Saint Philomena. Cavalier Caracciolo came to Mugnano to deliver a document detailing the miracle to Father Don Francis De Lucia ... Monsignor Ferretti Apostolic Nuncio of Naples was also there. (Apostolic Nuncio is the geographic or local representative of the Pope)

Francis Volet had lost the use of her legs ... on 24 July 1848 in Saint Philomena’s Chapel, she was confined to a chair ... and after receiving the Holy Eucharist, she started to walk as normal.   (Note: There is no Catholic Mass in these times, see Section 13.6)

A man from Puy-de-Dome, could hardly walk even with crutches ... went to see Father John Vianney who told the man to have faith in Saint Philomena for a healing. One day in August to everybody’s amazement, he put down the crutches at the feet of Saint Philomena’s Altar and he never used them again.

Carl Blazy of Cebazat, Clermont Diocese, lost the use of both legs in 1855. He went by train to the Sanctuary of Ars France, where he completed his novena to Saint Philomena. He left Ars fully recovered ... having laid down his crutches in Saint Philomena’s Chapel, he simply walked home ... 11 miles.

Saint Philomena appeared to Fr. John Vianney when he was about to die of double pneumonia ... in May 1843.

Fr. John had his last Rites and asked that a Mass be offered to Saint Philomena on his behalf. He was immediately cured of the pneumonia

Anna Maria Taigi was a great devotee of Saint Philomena ... she often experienced her powerful intercession in person.

One of her granddaughters Peppina injured one of her eyes. Her pupil had been lacerated and there was no hope of healing. The Servant of God Anna Maria made the sign of the Cross with the oil of Saint Philomena, placed her hand on the girl’s head and sent her to bed.

The next day, her eye had healed so perfectly that she managed to go to school to the Pious Teachers of Jesus. Surgeons followed up and performed tests to ensure that she could see.

In 1806 Cardinal Louis Ruffo Scilla (1750-1832), Archbishop of Naples (1802-1832), donated a wooden statue of Saint Philomena to the Sanctuary containing ... a reliquary which enclosed a small bone particle belonging to the Martyr.

This statue is brought every year in procession through the streets of Mugnano, on the second Sunday of August. On 10 August 1823, during the procession, the statue became heavier. The next day, the statue emitted a fragrant "manna" for three consecutive days.

Regarding this, there are two public records; one signed by the Vicar Foraneo and by 17 priests of the clergy of Mugnano, the other by the Mayor, the Chancellor, and from the Members of the Council. These records were deposited in the municipal archive and in Our Lady of Graces Church in Mugnano. In memory of this, a marble inscription was placed in the Church of Our Lady of Graces.

When the relics of Saint Philomena ... were first brought to Mugnano Italy on the morning of 10 August 1805 ... there were large crowds from Mugnano and surrounding towns. One elderly man who suffered from severe gout and could hardly walk ... made it out to the street to see this Martyr and pay his respects as St Philomena entered the town on the journey from Naples ... and at that moment he was totally cured of his gout and walked like a teenager again with the rest of the procession.

A sorrowing family brought their disabled boy to ... Fr. John Vianney Church in Ars France.

Fr. Vianney tells them: "Take your child to St. Philomena, over there to the left!" The unfortunates crossed the Church and went to kneel before the statue of Saint Philomena. Suddenly we heard a loud noise of moving chairs: the father had passed out on hearing his son speak for the first time. The six year old boy had been paralyzed, deaf and dumb from birth. "Nice Papa, nice !" ... the child said in his native patois, and he began to walk.

Mrs. Claudine Raymond, from Chalonsur-Saone, was suffering a great deal from a chronic infection of the larynx and bronchial tubes. She could not speak the slightest word without feeling a pain in her throat which was described as "being burned with a red-hot iron."

She communicated with those around her by writing on a slate. Finally, abandoned by the doctors, she had recourse to Father Vianney.

He said to me, “My child, the remedies of earth are useless for you; you have already had too many of them administered to you. But God wants to heal you. Speak to St. Philomena.

At once I went and cast myself at the feet of the little Saint; I was healed as soon as I had said my prayer. I had not spoken for two years and had been suffering acutely for six. When I returned to Madame Favier’s where I was lodging, I read a few pages on Confidence in the Blessed Virgin in a loud voice in front of several People. I was truly cured.

~     ~     ~

Saint Philomena provided the details of her life to ... three people, unknown to each other.

1. One was a young artisan well known to Father Don Francis de Lucia.

2. The second was a zealous priest ... who had a devotion to Saint Philomena ... and was a perpetual propagator of devotion to the Saint.

3. The third was to Mother Maria Luisa di Gesù, a Dominican tertiary ... in August of 1833, twenty-eight years after the Saint Philomena miracles began.

4. When Saint Philomena appeared to Fr. John Vianney in May 1843 ... she confirmed this account given to Mother Maria.

- - - - - - - - - -

Saint Philomena to ... Mother Maria Luisa di Gesù, extracts ...

"My dear Sister, I am the daughter of a Prince who governed a small state in Greece. My mother is also of royal blood. My parents were without children. They were idolaters. They continually offered sacrifices and prayers to their false gods."

"They became Christians and obtained the long desired happiness that Publius had assured them as the reward of their conversion."

"At the moment of my birth, they gave me the name of "Lumena," an allusion to the light of Faith of which I had been, as it were, the fruit. The day of my Baptism they called me "Filumena", or "Daughter of Light", because on that day I was born to the Faith. The affection which my parents bore me was so great that they had me always with them."

"It was on this account that they took me to Rome on a journey that my father was obliged to make on the occasion of an unjust war with which he was threatened by the haughty Diocletian. I was then thirteen years old."

- - - - -

"As soon as Father had ceased to speak, the Emperor desired him to be disturbed no longer, to banish all fear, to think only of living in happiness. These are the Emperor’s words, ‘I shall place at your disposal all the force of the Empire. I ask only one thing, that is the hand of your daughter.’"

"When we returned to our own dwelling ... I cried, ‘Do you wish, that for the love of a man, I should break the promise I have made to Jesus Christ? My virginity belongs to him. I can no longer dispose of it.’"

"The grace of my God rendered me invincible."

"My virginity, which I have vowed to God, comes before everything, before you, before my country. My kingdom is heaven."

"They (my parents) brought me before the Emperor, who on his part did all in his power to win me. But his promises, his allurements, his threats, were equally useless. He then flew into a violent fit of anger and, influenced by the devil, had me cast into one of the prisons of the palace, where he had me loaded with chains."

- - - - -

"Prayer supported me. I did not cease to recommend myself to Jesus and his most pure Mother. My captivity had lasted thirty-seven days, when, in the midst of a heavenly light, I saw Mary holding the Divine Son in her arms."

"My daughter," she said to me, "Three days more of prison and after forty days you shall leave this state of pain. In the moment of combat, grace will come to lend you its force, and your Angel, who was also mine, Gabriel, whose name expresses strength, will come to your aid. I will recommend you especially to his care, as the well beloved among my children."

"These words of the Queen of virgins gave me courage again, and the vision disappeared, leaving my prison filled with a celestial perfume. I experienced a joy out of this world. Something indefinable."

"What the Queen of Angels had prepared me for was soon experienced. Diocletian, despairing of bending me, decided on public chastisement ... and scourged like the Spouse I preferred to him. These are his horrifying words..."

‘Since she is not ashamed to prefer to an Emperor like me, a malefactor condemned to an infamous death by His own people, she deserves that my justice shall treat her as He was treated.’

"They (prison guards) lashed me with violence until I was bathed in blood. My whole body felt like one open wound, but I did not faint."

"The tyrant had me dragged back to the dungeon, expecting me to die. I hoped to join my heavenly Spouse. Two angels, shining with light, appeared to me in the darkness. They poured a soothing balm on my wounds, bestowing on me a vigor I did not have before the torture."

- - - - -

"When the Emperor was informed by the change that had come over me, he had me brought before him. He ... tried to persuade me that I owed my healing and regained vigor to jupiter, another god that he, the Emperor, had sent to me."

"The Divine Spirit to whom I am indebted for constancy in preserving my purity seemed to fill me with light and knowledge and to all the proofs which I gave of the solidity of our Faith, neither Diocletian nor his courtiers could find an answer."

"Then, the frenzied Emperor dashed at me, commanding a guard to chain an anchor around my neck and bury me deep in the waters of the Tiber. The order was executed. I was cast into the water, but God sent me two angels who unfastened the anchor. It fell into the river mud, where it remains no doubt to the present time. The angels transported me gently in full view of the multitude upon the riverbank. I came back unharmed, not even wet, after being plunged with the heavy anchor."

- - - - -

"When a cry of joy rose from the debauchers on the shore, and so many embraced Christianity by proclaiming their belief in my God, Diocletian attributed my preservation to secret magic."

"He (Diocletian) cried in a fit of rage, ‘Let her be pierced with sharp darts. The archers bent their bows. They gathered all their strength, but the arrows refused to second their intentions.’"

"In a rage, he (Diocletian) called me a magician, and thinking that the action of fire could destroy the enchantment, ordered the darts to be made in a furnace and directed against my heart. He was obeyed, but these darts, after having passed through a part of the space which they were to cross to come to me, took a quite contrary direction and returned to strike those by whom they had been hurled. Six of the archers were killed by them."

- - - - -

"Several among them renounced paganism, and the people began to render public testimony to the power of God that protected me."

"These murmurs and acclamations infuriated the tyrant. He determined to hasten my death by ordering my head to be cut off."

"My soul took flight towards my heavenly Spouse, who placed me, with the crown of virginity and the palm of martyrdom, in a distinguished place among the elect."

"The day that was so happy for me and saw me enter into glory was Friday, the third hour after midday, the same hour that saw my Divine Master expire."

~     ~     ~

The revelation ...

"I was walking one day in the country, when I saw approach toward me a woman who was a stranger to me; she addressed me, saying, 'Is it really true that you have in your church a picture of St. Philomena ?"

"Yes, I answered; what has been told you is perfectly true. 'But,' added she, 'what then do you know about this saint? Very little: to this hour we have only been able to know of her history what may be learned from the inscription and symbols figured on her tomb; and I set about explaining them to her."

"She suffered me to finish, and then with vivacity replied, 'You know nothing more, then ?'   No; nothing else. 'There is, however, a vast deal of other things to be said concerning this saint. When they will be known people will be filled with amazement.'"

"Do you even know the cause of her persecution and martyrdom?'  Nothing more.  'Well, then, I shall tell it you. It was for having refused the hand of Dioclesian, who intended her for his wife; and the motive of her refusal was the vow she had made of remaining forever a virgin for the love of Jesus Christ.'"

"At these words, filled with gladness, like one who had just heard news for which he had a long time sighed, I said to her. You do not deceive me? are you quite sure of what I have just heard you say ?  But where have you read this ?"

"For during several years back we have searched for some author wherein we might find some account of this Saint, and our inquiries have, hitherto, been unavailing."

"Tell me in what book you have found all you have told me. 'In what book? said she, in a tone in which was discoverable an expression of indescribable surprise and gravity."

"Is it really to me that such a question should be asked? to me, as if I could be ignorant of it !  No, surely; I do not deceive you.  Yes; I know it -- I am certain of it -- believe me.'  And in saying these words, I saw her disappear with the rapidity of lightning."

~     ~     ~

Selected decrees ... by Popes regarding Saint Philomena ...

Pope Pius VII (1800-1823) >  Granted permission for Altars to be dedicated to Saint Philomena and Chapels to be built in her honor.

Pope Gregory XVI (1831-1846) >  Saint Philomena - Litugically Canonized in 1837.

and ... Pope Gregory XVI >  January 13, 1837 ... Raises Philomena to the Altar of the Church, she as made a Saint. Calls Saint Philomena the Wonder Worker of the 19th Century.

Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) >  Declared Saint Philomena as Patroness of the Children of Maria, established a Mass on her Feast Day and Proper in the Divine Office.

and ... Pope Pius IX >  On November 7, 1849 ... at a critical moment of his pontificate, Pius IX went on pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Philomena to seek her intercession at a time of Church crisis. A political revolution had taken place in Rome, and with a heavy heart Pius IX was obliged to leave the city. By the intercession of Saint Philomena, Pius IX was able to quickly return to Rome. Out of all the Churches in the Rome / Naples area ... Pius IX went to the Parish where the relics of Saint Philomena were.

Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) >  Commissioned the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena.

Pope Pius X (1903-1914) >  "All the decisions and declarations of his predecessors regarding Saint Philomena should in no way ever be altered."

and ... Pope Pius X >  In the Apostolic Brief Pias Fidelium Societates, he solemnly stated: "To discredit the present decisions and declarations concerning Saint Philomena as not being permanent, stable, valid and effective, necessary of obedience, and in full effect for all eternity, proceeds from an element that is null and void and without merit or authority."

~     ~     ~

The Saint Philomena Shrine in ... Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy became a place of pilgrimage. Devotees of the Saint flocked to this shrine to pray before her relics. Wonders and miracles became the order of the day !

Saints and blessed, kings and queens, princes and the poor came to invoke the great Thaumaturge (Wonder worker).

Thaumaturgy evolved within the context of Christian mysticism and early scientific thought. The understanding of thaumaturgy was closely linked to the idea of miracles, with Saints and holy men often credited with thaumaturgic powers.

- - - - - - - - - -

Saint Philomena's most distinguished pilgrim was Blessed Pius IX, who celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at her Altar on November 7, 1849.

The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Our Lady of Graces) in the early 1800s ... became the Shrine of Santa Philomena. The body of the Saint, found in Rome on 25 May 1802, was brought to Mugnano by priest Don Francesco De Lucia on 10 August 1805.

Great personalities have visited the Shrine with rich gifts: Cardinal Ruffo-Cilla of Naples, Leo XII, Pope Gregory XVI, Pius IX who went on pilgrimage accompanied by King Ferdinand II on Nov. 7, 1849, Pauline Jaricott (founder of the Pontifical Missionary Works) who was miraculously blessed by St. Philomena in Mugnano on 10 August 1835, the Holy Curé d'Ars, Maria Cristina of Savoy, wife of Ferdinand II of Bourbon, and Leo XIII.

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The raining of miracles into the world ... by Saint Philomena as a response to the devil's "enlightenment" (1685-1815). Even Saint Philomena's name, Daughter of Light points to this.

The "enlightenment" travesty is addressed on Section 198 of this website ... that it was just another attack against the Catholic God and His truth in the Sources of Dogma.

The miraculous manner in which God revealed Saint Philomena - through both her intercessory miracles, and the locutions given about her life - appears to be a Providential response to the rationalist “Enlightenment” period which immediately preceded the discovery of Saint Philomena.

Thus, her name which means “daughter of light,” and Saint John Vianney’s name for her - “new light of the Church militant” - have an added layer of meaning.

While the so-called Enlightenment period in reality constituted a darkening of men’s intellects as they pulled away from the Catholic God, Saint Philomena is an antidote to the Enlightenment, a true light reflecting the light of the Catholic God ... and pointing souls back towards Him.

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Litany of Saint Philomena ...

Lord, have mercy on us.
        Christ, 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 Water Baptism,
        pray for us.
Saint Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary,
        pray for us.
Saint Philomena, model of virginity,
        pray for us.
Saint Philomena, temple of perfect humility,
        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 infirmed,
        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, Who takest away the sins of the world;
        spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world;
        graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world;
        have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O Worker of Wonders, Saint Philomena,
R. 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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