The Feast of St. Philomena, August 11th

* The complete story of St. Philomena can be found here.

* St. Philomena is the patroness of the Universal Living Rosary Association.

* She is also the patroness of: Children, youth, infants, priests, lost causes, sterility, virgins, the virtue of purity,  Children of Mary, and traditional Catholics everywhere.

* Her principal shrine, the one in which her relics are kept, is in Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy, but her official national shrine in America is in Miami, FLA. 

* Father Damien of Molokai honored dear St. Philomena so much that his little island church was dedicated to her honor and intercession. 

St. John Marie Vianney, along with Ven. Pauline Jaricot, were our saint's earliest and most exuberant clients.*  Pauline Jaricot, founder of Society for the Propogation of the Faith, owed her life to St. Philomena's  intercession, and * St. John Vianney said of St. Philomena," “I have never asked for anything through the intercession of my Little Saint without having been answered.” 

 * After the grandaughter of Bl. Anna Maria Taigi, the Roman “mother-mystic,” was miraculously cured through St. Philomena, Bl Anna Maria entrusted all her children to her powerful intercession. 

* Five popes have supported the devotion of St. Philomena through nineteen different acts of the Holy See, providing for the faithful to honor and appeal the intercession of St. Philomena in the forms of public liturgical veneration, archconfraternities, and plenary and partial indulgences. This succession of papal veneration and indulgences is unprecedented in the pontifical granting of devotional privileges for any modern saint.(Santuario Santa Filomena)

* Like St. John Marie Vianney (who rocks, too, by the way), we can say we have never asked for anything through the intercession of our dear little saint that she has not found a way to grant. 

The friendship and intercession of the saints is one of the greatest favors and truths of our Faith.  I mourn the loss of it for those who have lost the Faith or never known it.  I truly don't know how I would function without the help and consolation of our heavenly friends (and our intercessors in Purgatory!).  The communication amongst members of the Communion of Saints works the cogs of the wheels that our world is supposed to turn on --  Prayer: the holy sacrifice of the Mass, the rosary, all the Sacraments are the oil that keep the cogs turning.  Bottom line is that the wheels have almost ground to a halt in our times.  It's no wonder at all that the world is such a mess.  Help us, dear St. Philomena, to turn the troubles of our times into a universal call to prayer and the Sacraments.  And then everything that's important will be saved. 

Celebrating the Feast!

* Find an awesome (really beautiful!) origami paper lilies tutorial here.

* This arrow tip fold added to a painted skewer makes for another symbol of St. Philomena.

* Two different free anchor clipart photos to print and color here.

*  There is a plethora of St. Philomena holy cards through the Living Rosary Association are free for downloading here.

* For dinner -- Since St. Philomena was a Greek  princess, any kind of Greek cuisine would be appropriate.  Go here for a selection of Greek recipes -- or support your friendly neighborhood Greek restaurant and go get some gyros!

 * For dessert, make the White Lily Sweet Cakes recipe, found here. The lily white cake is the perfect reminder of St. Philomena's purity, the strawberries, with their heart shape symbolizes her love for God, while red is the color for martyrdom, as well.  Top with fresh whipped cream to remind us of heaven where we hope to meet up with sweet St. Philomena some day! 

Click and print for a coloring page!

Litany to St. Philomena(Composed by St. John Vianney)

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins,
St. Philomena, pray for us.
St. Philomena, filled with the most abundant
graces from your very birth, pray for us.
St. Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary, pray for us.
St. Philomena. model of Virgins, pray for us.
St. Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility, pray for us.
St. Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, pray for us.
St. Philomena, victim of the love of Jesus, pray for us.
St. Philomena, example of strength and perseverance, pray for us.
St. Philomena, invincible champion of chastity, pray for us.
St. Philomena, mirror of the most heroic virtues, pray for us.
St. Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments, pray for us.
St. Philomena, scourged like your Divine Spouse, pray for us.
St. Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows, pray for us.
St. Philomena, consoled by the Mother of God, when in chains, pray for us.
St. Philomena, cured miraculously in prison, pray for us.
St. Philomena, comforted by angels in your torments, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who converted the witnesses of your martyrdom, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who wore out the fury of your executioners, pray for us.
St. Philomena, protectress of the innocent, pray for us.
St. Philomena, patron of youth, pray for us.
St. Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, pray for us.
St. Philomena, health of the sick and the weak. pray for us.
St. Philomena, new light of the church militant, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who confounds the impiety of the world, pray for us.
St. Philomena, who stimulates the faith and courage of the faithful, pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in Hell, pray for us.
St. Philomena, made illustrious by the most striking miracles, pray for us.
St. Philomena, all powerful with God, pray for us.
St. 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, Great St. Philomena,
R.) That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

We implore Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, who was ever most pleasing to Thy eyes by reason of her eminent purity and the practice of all the virtues, pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need (and name any special grace you may require). Amen.

Novena to St. Philomena
O great St. Philomena, glorious Virgin and Martyr, wonder-worker of our age, I return most fervent thanks to God for the miraculous gifts bestowed on thee, and beseech thee to impart to me a share in the graces and blessings of which thou hast been the channel to so many souls. Through the heroic fortitude with which thou didst confront the fury of tyrants and brave the frowns of the mighty rather than swerve from thy allegiance to the King of Heaven, obtain for me purity of body and soul, purity of heart and desire, purity of thought and affection.

Through thy patience under multiplied sufferings, obtain for me a submissive acceptance of all the afflictions it may please God to send me and as thou didst miraculously escape unhurt from the waters of the Tiber, into which thou wert cast by order of thy persecutor, so may I pass through the waters of tribulation without detriment to my soul. In addition to these favours, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment. O pure Virgin and holy Martyr, deign to cast a look of pity from Heaven on thy devoted servant, comfort me in affliction, assist me in danger, above all come to my aid in the hour of death. Watch over the interests of the Church of God, pray for its exaltation and prosperity, the extension of the faith, for the Sovereign Pontiff, for the clergy, for the perseverance of the just, the conversion of sinners, and the relief of the souls in purgatory, especially those dear to me. O great Saint, whose triumph we celebrate on earth, intercede for me, that I may one day behold the crown of glory bestowed on thee in Heaven, and eternally bless Him who so liberally rewards for all eternity the sufferings endured for His love during this short life. Amen.

Prayer to St. Philomena
O most pure Virgin, glorious Martyr, St. Philomena, whom God in His eternal power has revealed to the world in these unhappy days in order to revive the faith, sustain the hope and enkindle the charity of Christian souls, behold me prostrate at thy feet. Deign, O Virgin, full of goodness and kindness, to receive my humble prayers and to obtain for me that purity for which thou didst sacrifice the most alluring pleasures of the world, that strength of soul which made thee resist the most terrible attacks and that ardent love for our Lord Jesus Christ, which the most frightful torments could not extinguish in thee. So, that wearing thy holy cord and imitating thee in this life, I may one day be crowned with thee in heaven. Amen.