Patron saints
After 1500 years of uncertainty, during celebration of the Virgin Mary, the Christian Aid held in 1802 on 24th of May, the precious remains of St. Philomena were discovered in the catacombs, at the time of excavation of the oldest of catacombs in Rome – St. Priscilla catacomb. From one ancient shaft, which is as old as the Apostolic times, the sand was excavated. Completely coincidentally in the wall diggers found a coffin, which was never found before, on which on the plates was recorded: PAX TECTUM FILUMINA. Between words, Not very shapely, two arrows, spear, anchor and similar object like a lily or like a torch were drawn. In the concrete, in which the coffin was cemented, broken vessel were built in, inside which, as a studies later showed, there was some dried blood left. Without any doubt it was a martyr coffin. Bishop and priest Don Franchesk made a decision to transport St. Philomena’s, which was thirteen years old, remains to Naples, parish of Munjano, as the precious relic for the parish. On one occasion, the mother Louise heard a gentle voice while she was praying in her own cell. Here’s what St. Philomena told about herself:
I am from the small country – Greece – daughter of the King. My parents never had a children and continued to offer sacrifices for the fake gods, for being able to receive offspring. Doctor Publius Promised to parents: “If you want a baby, be baptized and receive the science of Jesus Christ.” Grace was accompanied by the words of that man, and heavenly light lit up the minds of the royal couple and softened their hearts. I was born in the year, the 10th of January, and I was baptized in the name of Lumina (Light) because I was started and given birth in the light of faith. I was given a wonderful name – Philomena – The daughter of Light, enlighten by the light of Christ. With each passing day The spirit of the Gospel grew in me. Being five years old I first accepted Jesus Christ In the Holy Eucharist. From that moment in my soul began to swell the desire to be united forever with my Saviour, the Fiance of virgin’s. Being eleven years old I have sacrificed myself to Him with the vows. The Peace of Christ in our homes and in my father’s kingdom was disrupted after I have reached thirteen years old. Proud and mighty Roman Emperor Doclecian announced the war on Greece. My father decided travel to Rome and sign a peace treaty with the emperor. It was necessary for me to travel to Rome together. The emperor agreed to sign a peace agreement with one condition if the King would give his daughter, Philomena, to him as his wife. Both of my parents agreed with such a condition and convinced me that it would be great luck to become a wife of Roman emperor. Without hesitation I have declined the offer as I have already been engaged with Jesus Christ. Parents through themselves at my feet and begged: “Daughter, have mercy on us, your parents. Have mercy on your country and our kingdom!”. I replied to this request: “God and virginity are more important. My Kingdom and my country – Heaven. Emperor Doclecian, after receiving my refusal to accept his offer to become his wife, flashed like a devil and put the following words: “If I don’t want to accept me as a lover, then I’ll be a tyrant for thee!”. He commanded to throw me in the dungeons of the palace, and he decided to torture me so I would give up the oath of chastity to my Spouse. On the thirty-sixth day of being in captivity, surrounded by the light of Heaven, with a small baby on her hands, appeared to me the Virgin Mary. She said, “Daughter, you will stay in these dungeons for three more days, and on the fourth day you will be liberated from this place of sorrow.” When the forty-tenth day of my detention was reached, I was bred out of the dungeons and in the presence of all the courtiers I was tied to a pole. After seeing that my body was struck by wounds and overflowing with blood, and life hanging on the hair, the emperor commanded to bring me back to prison and to leave me there till I die. Two angels appeared and anointed me with precious oils and healed. The next morning, the emperor was surprised to see me in the beauty and good state of health. He thought this grace of healing belongs to Jupiter, because he healed me, that means he had appointed me to be his wife. He cannot deprive me of the greatest value — my lily of chastity, ordered me to fasten a metal anchor on the neck and throw into the depths of Tiberi. But Jesus, by demonstrating his omnipresence, sent two even more beautiful angels who had cut the rope on my neck and the anchor fell into the depths of Tiberi. On the wings of the Angels I was brought out on the shore and none of my garments were wet. The people who had seen this event had converted and believed in Jesus Christ. The tyrant thought that it was all the magic trick, and, being stubborn, he commanded me to propel me all over the Rome and to shoot arrows at me. When he saw me pierced with arrows and faint, he had commanded to shove me again in prison, where I would die without any mercy and consolation. In the morning, hoping that I will be dead, he was astonished to see that I was in good health and singing Psalm in honor of God. During the night Almighty allowed me to sleep soundly, and my body was anointed with fragrant oils. Tyrant screamed at me calling me a witch. Believing that witchcraft will not resist a fire, he gave an order to marksmen to heat the arrows in the fire up to the red point. My Fiance again have saved me out of such suffering. The arrows that came down at me returned back to the archers and have pierced six of them, and they instantly died. The Tyrant commanded to cut my head. In this way, my soul, triumphing and boasting, reached the Heaven.
Every story about the St. Philomena have spread as a fire through a dry forest: about the healing of a gangrenous hand, about a sick carrier’s disease, about the light beam on the road, about the aggravation and re-easing of the relic chest, about the whirlwind, unable to blow candles, as well as overdried fields moistened with rain.
In 35 years after the discovery of these relics, with a powerful intercession so many wonderful things took place, this young Greek princess was lifted into the honor of the altars and named as an extraordinary miracle of the XIX century.
Pope Leon XII in honor of the St. Philomena allowed to build the altar and churches.
Pope Gregory XVI solemnly declared the celebration in honor of the St. Philomena, also inserted prayers into the breviary. In this way, it was a beginning of her praise all over the world.
Pope Pius IX during the special worship, when the members of the Living Rosary were stumbled at the feet of His Holiness, gave a special blessing, and from now on the Living Rosary is in the custody of the St. Philomena.
Cecilija Holak
The World’s St. Philomena Society of Living Rosary