Bicentenary Prayer
of the translation of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena from
Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale (1805- 2005)
by Archbishop Msgr. Beniamino Depalma, Bishop Emeritus of Nola
O glorious Saint Philomena
Courageous martyr of Christ,
chaste flower of virtue and grace,
accept the humble prayer of all
who invoke your protection
and your potent intercession
through the heart of the Most High.
Wonderful model of hope and strength,
faithful follower of the Gospel
grant us that through the shedding of your blood
for the love of Jesus
the faith of our community grows and improves
with peace and tranquility reigning in the families devoted to you.
Docile and humble servant of the Lord,
help us to thank God every day
for his kindness
as an affectionate and merciful Father.
May your unshakeable perseverance
help us with the trials of life,
in times of sorrow, in grief
and when we are tempted to stray from
the Holy Spirit’s loving protection.
You who found strength and comfort
in the words of the divine Master
and in the Eucharist, his body,
help us to be hungry for the Bread of heaven
and for every word spoken by God.
You who although innocent have forgiven those
Who caused you suffering
And unspeakable pain, make us merciful
to those who cause us distress and suffering,
help us to retain the beatitude of gentleness
and good-will in our hearts.
Protect our children and our young.
Comfort the oppressed and the sick.
With the light of your martyrdom inspire
The apostles of the Gospel and the witnesses of charity.
Rekindle the faith of those who hesitate in the path of rectitude.
Intercede for peace and justice between peoples.
For those who are torn by doubt grant them the light of truth.
And let the divine grace shine upon us all.
Devotional Bicentenary Prayer
of the translation of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena from
Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale (1805-2005)
By the Msgr. Giovanni Braschi, Custodian of the Sacred Body of St. Philomena, Rector of the Sanctuary of St. Philomena 1983-2021
Philomena, witness to the light of Christ
and to the Mystery of the greatness of God
I thank God the Father for bringing you into existence.
I thank Jesus, Son of God,
who gave you the honor of shedding
your blood for Him, as He shed His for us.
I thank the Holy Spirit
Who for many centuries
kept hidden from us the might of your faith,
abandoning your sacred body
in the cold darkness of the catacombs of Priscilla.
I thank God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
for making you a miracle worker
performing all over the world many miraculous
healings through your intercession,
and also for making you into a loving sister
for many saints for the blessed and for all good people
who have offered their lives for the spiritual and physical needs
of their brothers and sisters.
I thank God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
for allowing doubts about your existence and saintliness
even by ministers of the church,
this strengthens my belief that God is truly a Father,
when I feel his hand that consoles me or that brings me suffering.
Stay at my side I beg you while I pray to
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
to help the pope the bishops and the priests
to be diligent witnesses to the word of God,
that they take the many problems of the modern world and use them
for the progress of mankind.
Stay at my side I beg you while I pray to
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
that heads of state and peoples, husbands and wives, parents and children,
rich and poor, researchers and operators
be like God who caresses but also causes pain
so that all men may strive for their own happiness and that of their brothers.
Stay at my side I beg you while I pray to.
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
save me from physical and spiritual suffering which frightens me,
if this is not possible, help me to face them
with the same strength and serenity that you showed
in the hour of your martyrdom,
helped like you by the maternal presence
of Mary queen of martyrs. Amen
Throne of Grace
by Mary Ann Matulis, Sydney, Australia
Deputy Director of the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena
Saint Philomena Virgin Martyr
from your throne of grace,
cast a look of pity
upon the human race.
Saint Philomena the wonder worker
please hear us when we pray,
and guide us through the challenges
that come to us today.
Please hear our prayers
and calm our fears,
and guide us through
this vale of tears.
Hear us when we cry out to you
in our time of need,
and your heavenly assistance
to us please do concede.
O Philomena
Dwell in my heart, my mind, my thoughts, my life.
Help me to be pure like you, guide me closer to Christ.
O Philomena, pray for the souls in purgatory,
please help your lost children with whatever they may need.
O Philomena, thank you for being in my life,
for guiding me, and helping me. Amen.
by Benjamin Escobar, Age 13, San Antonio, Texas USA
Moved to write this after an encounter with the Saint during a dream
June 2011