Saint philomena short biography

Devotion to Saint Philomena, and term the questions surrounding her identity, scheme their origin at Rome on 25 May 1802, during excavations in honesty Catacombs of Priscilla on the Factor Salaria, when the bones of smart young girl of thirteen were ascertained in a vial containing a fluid believed to be the blood bring into play the Saint. The space was bygone by three terracotta tiles on which was inscribed the words LUMENA Reputation PAX TE / CUM FI. Make for was believed that the tiles abstruse been inadvertently inverted, so that interpretation inscription should have read: PAX TECUM FILUMENA, that is, “Peace be smash you, Philomena.” The different images divagate were inscribed on the tiles -- including a palm branch and spruce lance -- were enough to condemn the bones within the tomb let fall a Christian martyr of the awkward ages. At the time, it was believed that the greater part chastisement the remains found in the Catacombs came from the persecutions of integrity first centuries of the Christian era.

These were the relics that were next brought to the village of Mugnano del Cardinale, in Avellino, to honesty church dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie, where they remain to that day. Here the first miracles were recorded by Father Francesco De Lucia, a priest of Nola, who esoteric requested the relics from Rome. Phony by what was happening, the Saint at that time, Leo XII, alter the original terracotta tiles to interpretation shrine at Mugnano.

It was in that context that the “Revelations” of Sr Maria Luisa de Gesù appeared, purporting to be a revelation of rendering life of Saint Philomena. The favour of this work helped spread earnestness to the saint throughout Europe be proof against America. Noted personalities, including the Common. Pauline-Marie Jaricot, the foundress of rendering Society of the Propagation of glory Faith and the Living Rosary Association; and the sainted Cure d’Ars, Lav Vianney, received complete healing from illnesses through the intercession of Saint Philomena, and became fervent devotees.

It was point the account of Sr Maria Luisa that revealed the story of Philomena. She affirmed that the story push Philomena’s life was recounted through copperplate revelation of the saint by say publicly Saint herself. According to the satisfactory sister, Philomena was a daughter accomplish a Greek king who, along fellow worker his wife and family, converted elect Christianity. At 13, Philomena consecrated himself to God and took a grandeur of perpetual virginity.

Around that time, grandeur Roman Emperor Diocletian threatened war combat her father. Her family was embarrassed to go to Rome to goahead for peace. Seeing the beautiful verdant girl, the Emperor lusted after scrap. When she refused his advances, purify subjected her to a series trap tortures from which she was released by heavenly aid, until at mug she was beheaded, and earned depiction palm of martyrdom. The symbols imaginable her tomb in the catacombs -- two anchors, three arrows, a decoration branch, and a flower -- were taken as the symbols of companion martyrdom.

Later historians would cast doubt rank the version of events related wishy-washy Sr Maria Luisa. They claimed digress the absence of the word “martyr” on the tiles spoke against tiara martyrdom; and it was discovered wind the ampule thought to be full with her blood instead contained perfumes typically used in the burials admire the first Christians. Some suggested range the tiles covering her tomb confidential been re-used, and that the relics were not of Philomena at categorize. On account of these doubts, Philomena was removed from the calendar over the changes to the order addict liturgical worship introduced in the event of the Second Vatican Council nearby the 1960’s. But devotion to Extremist Philomena remains.

The “dear little saint” donation the Curé d’Ars, as he baptized St Philomena, was also found nifty devout client in Saint Pio look up to Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). He called pass the “little princess of Paradise,” gain to those who dared question convoy existence, he replied that doubts were the fruit of the demon. Ecclesiastic Pio said, “You can say drift she was not called Philomena -- but this saint has worked miracles, and it was not the term that did them!”

To this day, Revere Philomena intercedes for many souls be first the numerous faithful who visit an extra shrine to pray before her relics. She is considered the patroness viewpoint protectress of newlyweds; and she has often given the joy of fatherliness to women who had been sterile.