According to the norms established by the Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope St. John Paul II in 1983, the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena is a voluntary private association of the lay Christian faithful whose aim it is to ‘foster works of piety’ through the promulgation of devotion to St. Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, and to ‘strive in a common endeavor to foster a more perfect life’ in Jesus and Mary. (canons 298, 299)
History
Founding
On 10th February 1884, Abbe Louis Petite, founds the ‘Work of St. Philomena’ with the blessing of Cardinal Guibert Archbishop of Paris, who canonically erects it the as the ‘Pious Confraternity of St. Philomena’ at Notre Dame de La Salette in Paris.
Elevation of status
Following this, On September of 1889, Pope Leo XIII, in his apostolic Brief raises The Pious Confraternity of Saint Philomena to the rank of Archconfraternity, permitting it to aggregate, and share its indulgences with other devotional groups across the territory of France.
Then finally on May 21st, 1912, Pope Pius X in his Papal Brief ‘Pias Fidelium Societates’ elevates the organization to the rank of Universal Archconfraternity, granting it the right to aggregate existing centers of devotion worldwide to itself and extend its indulgences to the universal church. That recognition was never revoked or rescinded by competent ecclesiastical authority.
Revival
In 1987, Msgr. Giovanni Braschi, Rector of the Sanctuary of St. Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale, revives The Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena as a lay association separate from the Diocese of Nola, seeking to promulgate devotion to St. Philomena and updated its statutes in accordance with the norms and canons of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. Canon 304 of the CIC outlines the necessary organization which must govern an association as a society. These include: the title, the end and or social objective of the association, its headquarters, its mode of government, and the conditions required for membership as well as defined modes of action.
Reunification
On June 20th 2024 the worldwide director of The Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena meets with those in charge of the birthplace of the canonically erected archconfraternity in Paris, to formally request recognition as the Official Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and continue the work of Abbe Louis Petit. This was agreed in writing, and a certificate, which further elaborated on the letter declared that both the Historical Archconfraternity, and the modern Archconfraternity are now one entity with a history stretching back 140 years.
From that point on, we are officially recognized and acknowledged as THE UNIVERSAL ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF SAINT PHILOMENA with all its canonical rights and privileges, with its headquarters in Glasgow with the authority to continue the work of Abbe Louis Petite to spread devotion to Saint Philomena around the world.
Legal Title
The Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena
Historical titles:
‘The Work of St. Philomena’, ‘The Pious Union of St. Philomena’, ‘The Family of St. Philomena’, ‘The Philomenian Family’, and the ‘Philomenian Family of the world’
St. Philomena, Virgin and Martyr is the primary patroness. St. Jean Marie Vianney is the secondary patron.
Mission
The work or end of the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena is to promulgate and encourage devotion to St. Philomena, Virgin and Martyr as a means of encouraging growth and formation in Christ for all the faithful.
Aims
We aim to introduce others to St. Philomena in order for her to lead all souls to Our Blessed Mother and to the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We place in St. Philomena the purpose of conversion of souls and the promotion of the culture of life. We do this by announcing the wonder-working saint to the world so that she may lead all to Jesus through Mary.
We aim to inform others of the importance of St. Philomena and her witness of heroic purity for today’s world. We believe this saint, hidden for so long in the catacombs, is truly the saint needed for our times.
We aim to have St. Philomena publicly recognized and venerated through devotions, novenas, pilgrimages and Masses in accord with the liturgical norms of the Church.
We aim to encourage membership in the Archconfraternity.
We aim to inform others of the Sanctuary of St. Philomena in Mugnano, the repository of the relics of our patroness and to encourage support for the work of the Sanctuary and its preservation.
Headquarters
Originally established in the Archdiocese of Paris, the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena was initially headquartered in Paris at the church of Notre Dame de LaSalette. Under the reorganization directed by Msgr. Braschi, the headquarters of the Archconfraternity was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 2000. The Universal Archconfraternity is an incorporated non-profit organization recognized under the laws of Scotland.
Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena: 48 Cleveland Street, Charing Cross, Glasgow, G3 7AD
The spiritual homes of the Universal Archconfraternity are the Shrine of St. Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy, where the relics of our patroness are enshrined as well as the Church of Notre-Dame de La Salette at 27 Rue de Danzig, Vaugirard, Paris, France.
Governance
President Honorary
His Excellency the Most Reverend Dieudonne Datonou
Apostolic Nuncio, and titular Archbishop of Vico Equense
Director- Worldwide
Mrs. Marie Burns
Deputy Director – Worldwide
Mrs. Mary Ann Matulis
General Secretary
Mr. Martin Gillon
Director of Devotion
Rev. Professor Giovanni Ariano
Worldwide Spiritual Directors
Rev. Chad Partain, JCL, Chancellor, Diocese of Alexandria, Director of the Children of Mary
Rev. Ronaldo B Manabat, Rector Parish Priest at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Batanes, Philippines.
Executive Committee
Mrs. Jane Torresan, Canada
Mrs. Marjie Truax, Georgia, USA
Mr. Joseph Atkins, Georgia USA
Mrs. Susan Hilliard, Wisconsin, USA
Mrs. Bernadette Morris, California, USA
Mr. Martin Gillon, Scotland, UK
National Directors and Consultants
Mrs. Mary Ann Matulis, National Director Australia and New Zealand
Rev. Toti F. Fuentebella, JCL, Director, National Center, Caribbean
Mrs. Jane Torresan, National Director, Canada
Mr. Martin Gillon, National Director, UK & Ireland
Mrs. Susan Hilliard, National Director USA
Fr. Chad Partain, JCL, Director of the Children of Mary
Dr. Mark Miravelle, STD, Theological Consultant
Sanctuary of Saint Philomena Representation
Incumbent:
Sanctuary Administrator
Monsignor Pasquale Capasso
Advisory Committee
Mrs. Helena Amalia Filomena Jimenez Wever, Aruba, Caribbean
Mr. Lacides Alfonso Jimenez, Aruba, Caribbean
Mr. Anthony Flora, Cote’t’voire, Africa
Directorate Coordinators
Mr. Daniel Valdes, Mexico (Business Support)
Mrs. Bernedette Morris, California, USA (Business Support)
Mr. Joseph Atkins, CFE, Georgia, USA (Membership Support)
Mr. James Merkel, Texas USA (Devotion Support)
The Universal Archconfraternity is composed of registered centers headed by a representative whose mission it is to work locally to achieve the ends of the Association. The work of the Universal Archconfraternity is currently divided into five geographic regions: Canada, Caribbean, UK and Northern Ireland and the USA. Each geographic region has a coordinator to assist with and to help establish centers in that region.
All Directors and Coordinators serve on a volunteer basis and may resign at any time by notifying the Worldwide Director. When a vacancy arises, due to death or resignation, in the position of Worldwide Director, Deputy Director, Executive Committee or Directorate Coordinators the office or position is filled by an appointment made by the Worldwide Director/Deputy Director in consultation with the Deputy Director, the General Secretary and the Executive Committee. When the need arises to replace a National Director or to erect a new National Centre, the Worldwide Director will make the appointment in consultation with the Deputy Director, General Secretary, Executive Committee, National Directors and Consultants.
Membership
New members may enroll in the universal Archconfraternity by giving their names for enrollment through their local center or by request sent via the Archconfraternity website, facebook or e-mail.
The condition or requirements of membership is primarily to live the spirit of the Gospels and to practice and promote devotion to St. Philomena, Virgin and Martyr.
Members may do this by wearing or carrying the Cord of St. Philomena; reciting the Chaplet or Little Crown of St. Philomena (daily if possible) and by receiving Holy Communion on January 10th, May 25th and the 10th/11th of August.
The membership is organized by age:
Children of Mary – Children ages 7 to 13 years of age
Youth Members – ages 13 to 18 years of age
Regular Members – 18 years of age and older.
Rights and Privileges
Holy Mass is offered for all members, living and dead, on the second Friday of every month at the birthplace of the Archconfraternity at Notre Dame de La Salette in Paris, France.
Masses will also be offered by the worldwide Spiritual Directors. Each regional or local center is also encouraged to have Masses offered for the membership on this day.
Members benefit by sharing in all the prayers offered through the worldwide centers.
The Universal Archconfraternity recognizes and accepts all the statutes instituted by Pope Paul VI in regard to indulgences. In light of which, the members are reminded that the date of their enrollment and its anniversary is a day of blessing and should be remembered with thanksgiving. Special graces are recognized in relation to the receiving and wearing of the Cord of St. Philomena together with the prayer, recitation of the Chaplet or Little Crown, the Litany and for the various commemorations of our patroness, particularly, January 10th, May 25th and the 10th/11th of August. On all these days we recommend the practice of sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion and prayers for the Holy Father in order to gain the graces and indulgences attached to these pious acts.
Feast Days
January 10th – Celebration of the Birthday of St. Philomena
Sunday following the 10th – Blessing of the St. Philomena Oil – Sanctuary of St. Philomena
May 25th – Anniversary of the Discovery of the relics of St. Philomena in the Catacomb of St. Priscilla in Rome
August 10th – Liturgical Feast of St. Philomena in the Diocese of Nola. Anniversary of the Translation of the Relics of St. Philomena from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale.
August 11th – Feast of St. Philomena world-wide
Second Sunday of August – Celebration of the Name of St. Philomena in Italy known as “Onomastico”. Solemn procession at the Shrine of St. Philomena.
Last Sunday of August – Consecration of Children under the patronage of St. Philomena.