Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, Pray for Us

There is a saint who isn't widely known as she doesn't appear on the Church's holy-day calendar, but she is extremely loving and powerful. It's a holy martyr named Saint Philomena. Today is her feast day.

Philomena was a beautiful Grecian princess who lived in during a time of great persecution for Christians in the early 300s A.D. She was martyred in Rome because she refused to renounce Jesus Christ and marry the terrible emperor. She was 13 years old and suffered extreme and prolonged torture for her love of Jesus; she consecrated her virginity to Him.

For some 1,500 years, no one knew of her existence until excavation of Saint Priscilla's catacombs in Rome.

Then the miracles began to happen, enough that she was designated Wonder Worker of the Church.

“Whatever you ask from her, She will obtain for you.” -Pope Gregory XVI

Trust in Jesus, Mary, and Virgin and Martyr, Saint Philomena.

Composed by Saint John Vianney. For private recital only. 

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, Queen of Virgins, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, filled with the most abundant graces from the cradle, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, model of Virgins, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, victim of the love of 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 the most heroic virtues, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, scourged like thy Divine Spouse, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, consoled by the Mother of God when in chains, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, cured miraculously in prison, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, comforted by Angels in thy torments, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who converted the witnesses of thy Martyrdom, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, who wore out the fury of thy executioners, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, protectress of the innocent, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, patron of youth, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, health of the sick and the weak, 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 stimulates the faith and courage of the faithful, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in Hell, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, made illustrious by the most striking miracles, pray for us.
Saint Philomena, all 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, Great Saint 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 Thine 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 [name any special grace you may require]. Amen.

Read more about Saint Philomena ad the Universal Living Rosary Association at http://www.philomena.org/

Friday, August 7, 2020

'Do Not Fear': Words to Live By

Looking at a passage from Saint Faustina's diary written more than 80 years ago today, we see her close relationship with Jesus and how He revealed information and inspiration to her. We also see how Faustina assumes that God's Will has been accomplished in her. Jesus lovingly corrects the holy sister and says not to be afraid, He is with her. "Do not fear," says Our Lord.


+ August 7, 1936. When I received the article about Divine Mercy with the image [on the cover], God's presence filled me in an extraordinary way. When I steeped myself in a prayer of thanksgiving, I suddenly saw the Lord Jesus in a great brightness, just as He is painted, and at His feet I saw Father Andrasz and Father Sopocko. Both were holding pens in their hands, and flashes of light and fire, like lightning, were coming from the tips of their pens and striking a great crowd of people who were hurrying I know not where. Whoever was touched by the ray of light immediately turned his back on the crowd and held out his hands to Jesus. Some returned with great joy, others with great pain and compunction. Jesus was looking at both priests with great kindness. After a while, I was left alone with Jesus, and I said, "Jesus, take me now, for Your will has already been accomplished." And Jesus answered, My will has not yet been completely accomplished in you; you will still suffer much, but I am with you; do not fear.

(Diary entry 675)