Saint Philomena
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Much
of what we know about Saint Philomena's short yet extraordinary life comes
to us from knowledge reputedly imparted to three visionary clients of
the saint. Holy Mother Church has declared these visions worthy of our
belief (ie: nothing in these visions is contrary to our Faith) but does
not bind Catholics to accept them. Without further ado then here is a
brief "life" of Saint Philomena.
Philomena's parents were pagans, rulers of a Greek state. Stone and plaster
gods could not provide them with their heart's desire for they longed
desperately to have a child. On becoming Catholics the two were blessed
with a child whom they named Philomena which signifies "Daughter
of Light." Summoned to Rome to appear before the mighty tyrant Diocletian,
Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Philomena's parents included their
daughter (now thirteen years of age) in their entourage in order not to
be seperated from their loved one and to show the Greek Princess the many
splendours of the capital of the ancient world. How bitterly they must
have repented of this desire for no sooner had the powerful Diocletian
beheld the beautiful maiden than he manifested his desire to make her
his wife. Having bound herself to her Beloved Spouse Jesus at the age
of eleven with a vow of perpetual chastity, Philomena now refused the
hand of the Roman Emperor. Threats, entreaties, promises, all were wasted
on the pious maiden who chose the spiritual love of the Lord of Heaven
and His Eternal Rewards above the sensual love and material benevolence
of the Lord of the Roman World.
The poor saint was to suffer terribly for her attachment to heavenly ideals. Time and space do not allow us to examine all the barbaric tortures that the poor child had to endure as the Emperor strove to break he allegiance to the crucified Nazarene. At last the gentle maiden who had shown such iron resolution was beheaded. As the executioner's blade separated her head from her body, so did her pure soul separate from it's house of flesh and take flight into the bosom of Our Lord and the bliss of Heaven.
Within
the Priscillian Catacombs were placed her earthly remains and for many
centuries the Daughter of Light was separated from the world by the dark
of the tomb. On the 25th May, 1802 her body was discovered by excavators
and the light that had defied the darkness of Imperial and Idolaterous
Rome burst forth once more on a world, covered now not with the shadow
of paganism, but of the principles of the French Revolution. To that light
were drawn the sick, the despairing, the doubting, the strong and the
weak. All found shelter, love, consolation. Her relics were placed in
a shrine in Mugnano, Naples. Miracles abounded in this sanctuary but were
not limited to it. Devotion to the saint spread throughout the whole world
and her clients invoke her for every cause. Unlike saints who are characterised
by a power of intercession for a particular cause such as Saint Raphael
for travel, marriage and health, Saint Philomena's power of intercession
extends to all domains. The principle means of devotion to this saint
are her cord, her medal, Saint Philomena's oil and Saint Philomena's chaplet.
History will attest that there is no cause too great or too small for
the saint's intercessory power. Spiritual graces and temporal blessings,
cures of all kinds, help in financial difficulties, patroness of the missions,
of children in short assistance in all the different states of life which
the Catholic faithful find themselves. You too, dear reader, are a 'Catholic
faithful'. Do you labour under some sorrow or difficulty? Of course! We
all do. Go to Saint Philomena. She is just a prayer away.
For
further information about Saint philomena, her life, forms of devotion
etc please write to:
'Saints' Corner', care of Father C. Daniels,
Society of Saint Pius X, P.O. Box 878
Roodepoort, 1725 South Africa
or, e-mail: lgpriest@mweb.co.za
