Who do we pray to when we need a miracle? Saint Philomena is a powerful but not very well known saint that can truly change your life. The patron saint of impossible causes, Saint Philomena was martyred at the very young age of 13. She was always very pious and never lost her innocence.
She is not the only saint that can help provide a miracle for hopeless causes. We also have a powerful miracle prayer to St. Jude, and the famous miracle prayer to St. Rita for impossible causes.
You could say that St. Philomena’s life is a bit of a mystery. The early Christian Church seems to have known a little about who she was. Her story has been variously attributed to various saints and figures who lived in different eras and locales. Some accounts say that she was a child of Christian parents, others that she was a slave, and still others that she was a simple woman. Let’s read more to find out.
Who is St. Philomena?
St. Philomena of Corfu, Greece, is the patron saint of hopeless causes. She was the servant of the Virgin Mary, and she is known for her devotion to the newborn Jesus. She is the youngest of the Greek saints, and she is remembered for her purity, prayer, and humility. They were well-known as people who gave generously to the poor and as people who treated their servants like family. She was canonized on January 30, 1837, by Pope Gregory XVI in Vatican City. Her feast day is held every 11th day of the month of August.
Philomena is a name most people are familiar with, but not most people know her story. She was a wealthy young girl from a noble family who traveled with her parents to a far-away place called Alexandria. At the time, the Roman Emperor was persecuting Christians, and they were forced to flee. Philomena’s parents were also Christians, and they didn’t want to leave, but they were sure that this was the only way they’d be able to live.
She was captured by Emperor Diocletian (A.D. 244-311), who wanted to have her. When the virgin St. Philomena, believed to be roughly 13 at the time, refused, she was subject to cruel torments like scourging, drowning and shooting. However, in each attempt on her life, St. Philomena was protected by angels who rescued her. However, in the last torment done to her, the angels weren’t to save her – she was eventually decapitated by the emperor.
The Discovery of St. Philomena’s Remains
The poor girl’s remains were discovered in the 19th century when a local priest was digging to make way for a new aqueduct in the Catacomb of Priscilla. As he dug, he came across an ancient grave with three tiles bearing an inscription. The priest discovered that the inscription read “Pax Tecum Filumena”, which was taken to indicate that the name of the girl, in Latin, was Filumena, the English form of which is Philomena.
How Did St. Philomena Become A Saint?
Some people have it in them to be kind, helpful, and accepting. Some have the capacity to be selfless, forgiving, and humble. Others have a strong desire to help others and reach out to those in need. Most people have these qualities, but they are all different forms of being a saint. Saints are a special breed of people to be admired, and it can be a bit overwhelming to strive to emulate their lives and values.
The earthly life of St. Philomena has been a source of inspiration for many for centuries. While her story, which is preserved in a famous miniature, is brief, it is one of the most dramatic in the annals of the Catholic Church. In the years since her canonization as a saint, Saint Philomena has been known not only as a model of humility and powerful intercession force but also as a popular source of wisdom for those seeking answers to their dilemmas and a source of inspiration for those who wish to persevere in the face of hardship.
Why should we pray to Philomena?
Prayer, like most things in life, has multiple benefits. It can help us in our daily lives, giving us comfort and strength in tough situations. It can also strengthen our faith in God and help us grow in love for Him. And, of course, it can also help us with our most important relationship: our relationship with our God.
Our faith is not just about the God we worship, but it’s about how we worship Him. One of the most important aspects of having the Catholic faith is to pray to saints. We pray to saints because we believe that they share the same divine qualities that God possesses. They are our spiritual and physical representatives, and we believe that through their intercession, we can be healed and helped.
As Catholics, we pray for saints and pray to God to intercede for others. One of our most popular prayers for St Philomena is the one we offer to her on August 11, her feast day, each year. This prayer is not meant to be a prayer for our own needs but an intercession on behalf of all people. It is our fervent prayer that among the many prayers we offer for St Philomena, we may pray in faith and confidence for ourselves and for all people.
Saint Philomena is a powerful saint, but if you’re looking for a true miracle, you might want to have Mother Mary interceding for you.
Miracle Prayer to St. Philomena
Blessed Saint Philomena,
I am praying to you in my hour of great need.
Please intercede on my behalf and help me to obtain (talk about what you need help with) I so desperately need.
I am feeling so lost and helpless right now, and I know that only a miracle can help me to overcome the challenges I am facing.
I am asking for your help in (talk about what exactly you want a miracle to help with).
I know that you have the power to perform miracles, and that you are the patron saint of hopeless causes.
I am willing to do whatever it takes to receive your help, and I am grateful for any and all assistance you can provide.
Through your help, miracles are possible.
Amen.
Novena Prayer for St. Philomena
Every day, the world is filled with people who suffer in silence and do not know who to turn to in order to find the courage to share their suffering and seek healing. Well, there is no better person to turn to than St. Philomena. To pray to St Philomena is like praying to a very special saint: she is an unusual and special intercessor and protector. She is a saint with a high passion for the Church and with a high thirst for God’s mercy and love. She is a saint who loves to be prayed to and loved.
Here is a short prayer to Her:
“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 request).
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.”
Aside from these novena prayers, a Litany for St. Philomena is prayed together with the above-mentioned prayers.