St. Philomena was the daughter of the king of a small Grecian state and her mother was also of royal lineage. They were pagans who worshipped false gods. They had no children and prayed to these idols for a child. There was staying with them at the time a doctor from Rome, Publius, who was a Catholic and now a Saint, was touched by their “blindness” and inspired by the Holy Ghost, decided to speak to them about their false worship and tell them of the one true Catholic Faith. He assured them that their prayers would be heard if they embraced Catholicity. His fervent eloquence reached them, and aided by grace, they were finally Baptized. St. Philomena was born the following year on January 10th, and was named Lumena, or “Light,” as she had been born in the light of the Faith, to which her parents were not most devoted. When she herself was Baptized they added to her name, to make Philomena, that is “Friend or Lover of the Light.”
Novena to St. Philomena
We beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant us the pardon of our sins by the intercession of Saint Philomena, virgin and martyr, who was always pleasing in Thy sight by her eminent chastity and by the profession of every virtue.
Amen
Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereupon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God, from the heights of Heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client! Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me, and in particular(Here specify your petition).
Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Saint Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us.
Amen.
O God, Most Holy Trinity, we thank Thee for the graces Thou didst bestow upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, and upon Thy handmaid Philomena, through whose intercession we implore Thy Mercy.
Amen.
0811 Saint Philomena Litany of St. Philomena
Composed by St. John Vianney
Lord, have mercy on us.
Lord, 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 birth, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, model of virginity, 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 infirm, 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, You take away the sins of the world; spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world; have mercy on us.
Pray for us, O Worker of Wonders, Saint Philomena,
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.
St. Philomena Novena
Prayer to Saint Philomena for a Favor(KNOWN TO BE A VERY POWERFUL PRAYER)
O faithful Virgin and glorious Martyr, St. Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me.
You know the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at your feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat your charity, O great saint! Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favorable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before you (mention your petitions here).
I am firmly convinced that through your merits, through the scorn, the sufferings and the death you endured, united to the merits of the Passion and death of Jesus, your Spouse, I shall obtain what I ask of you, and in the joy of my heart I will bless God, who is admirable in his Saints.
Amen.
(From the “Novena to St. Philomena” by The Society of St. Paul)
PRAYER TO SAINT PHILOMENA FOR A SPECIAL FAVOR
Illustrious Virgin and Martyr, St. Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereupon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place you. Full of confidence in your protection, I entreat you to intercede for me with God, from the heights of Heaven deign to cast a glance upon your humble client! Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, and obtain for me the graces necessary to me. Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. St. Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us.
Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. PHILOMENA FOR PURITY
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 prostate 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.
PRAYER IN HONOR OF SAINT PHILOMENA
Hail, O innocent Philomena, who, for love of Jesus, preserved the lily of thy virginity in all its brightness. Hail, O illustrious Philomena, who shed thy blood so courageously for Jesus Christ.
I bless the Lord for all the graces He granted thee during thy lifetime, and most especially at the hour of thy death. I praise Him and glorify Him for the honor and power with which He has crowned thee, and I beseech thee to obtain for me from God the graces I request through thy intercession.
The Litany of St. 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 Ghost, have mercy on us,
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
St. Philomena child of benediction, Pray for us.
St. Philomena the daughter of light, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who from infancy chose Jesus Christ for your spouse, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who despised with heroic courage the greatest honors, in order to remain faithful to Christ, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose faith and love for Jesus Christ could not be shaken, either by promises or threats, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose constancy could not be diminished, either by the supplications of a father, or the tenderness of a mother, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who by your love of sufferings, merited to be consoled by Jesus, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose ardor to endure new torments augmented every day, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whom God confided to the care of Angels, and who by their assistance defeated the rage of your persecutors, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whose glory God was pleased to manifest by continual wonders, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who endured several kinds of martyrdom from the different punishments you suffered, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, who, by your example, drew many souls to Faith, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, bound to a pillar and struck with reeds, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, perfect model of Christian virgins, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, special protectress of those who honor you, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, whom the Church honors and reveres as an illustrious virgin and martyr of Jesus Christ, Pray for us.
St. Philomena, now in possession of immortal honor, 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 takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us
V. Pray for us, St. Philomena!
R. That we may, like you, consecrate our entire lives to the love of Jesus.
Let us pray:
O Glorious virgin and martyr, whose glory God has been pleased to manifest by shining miracles! we address ourselves to you with entire confidence. Obtain for us, that, following your example, we may generously combat all that opposes the reign of Jesus Christ in our hearts, that He may ornament them with thy virtues, with that angelic purity of which you are so perfect a model; it order that, enkindled with a love for Jesus, we may walk constantly in the way He has pointed out to us, and partake one day of your eternal felicity.
Amen.
NOVENA TO ST. PHILOMENA 3 —– TRADITIONAL
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., and those most forgotten. 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.
