1834: Letter from the Vatican reported in the book “The Life and Miracles of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr”, published in Switzerland in the same year, “The good Saint Philomena continues to obtain all sorts of favors for those who are devoted to her. To describe here the cures and other miraculous favors obtained through her intercession would be to compose some volumes. At Rome are seen exposed in several churches, her picture and her relics. The people go in crowds to pay them veneration; they make prayers of nine days, three days, etc. Encourage and propagate devotion to the young Thaumaturga. You will receive from her, for yourself and for others, singular graces and favors.”
1835: The image of Saint Philomena is displayed for the first time in the Church of Saint Gervais in Paris
1836, August 9th: the Chapel of Saint Philomena is erected in the Church of Saint Gervais in Paris, which became the headquarters of the Universal Archconfraternity, by the parish priest Father Gabriel Rouvières with the authorization of Msgr. Hyacinthe-Louis de Quélen, Archbishop of Paris.
1837: The Holy Curé of Ars, second patron of the Archconfraternity, erected an altar in honor of Saint Philomena in Ars-sur-Formans, France.
1866, January 31st: the Abbot Alfred Monnin, one of the greatest experts of the Curé of Ars’ life, visited the Sanctuary in Mugnano and celebrates the Mass at the Saint’s altar.
1871, October: the Abbot Henri Thédenat, Vicar of the Father Claude Borel, Parish Priest of Saint-Gervais Church, while praying at the tomb of Saint John Mary Vianney near the altar of Saint Philomena, received the inspiration to start the movement of the national French pilgrimages to Ars and to Our Lady of Salette. This is the beginning of Archconfraternity pilgrimages.
1872: The Abbot Henri Thédenat published for the first time “L’Écho de Sainte-Philomène” (The Echo of Saint Philomena); Messenger of Saint Philomena the first magazine published by what would later become the Archconfraternity.
1872, August: first national pilgrimage to Ars-sur-Formans and La Salette, promoted by the Abbot Henri Thédenat of the Parish Priest of Saint-Gervais Church.
1876, August: the first edition of the “Messenger of Saint Philomena” is published by the Abbot Louis Petit. The Archconfraternity now has an official magazine.
1880: Armand Doncœur at first and later Father Louis Petit and Professor Giuseppe Bonavenia, following accurate studies, dates the burial niche of Saint Philomena to the post-apostolic period.
1883, December 15th: Pope Leo XIII approves the pious practice of the Blessed Cord of Saint Philomena and grant indulgences to whoever carries it. The cord devotion was introduced by our second patron Saint John Vianney.
1884, February 20th: creation of the Pious Work of Saint Philomena, later renamed Pious Confraternity of Saint Philomena, with the approval of Monseigneur Joseph Guibert, Cardinal Archbishop of Paris.
1884, May 2nd: Pope Leo XIII extended the work of the Pious Confraternity of Saint Philomena to the whole Church.
1887, October 16th: Pope Leo XIII blessed the flag that Father Louis Petit (founder of the Archconfraternity) used in the pilgrimages to Paray-le-Monial, Ars-sur-Formans, and La Salette.
1889, September 24th: Pope Leo XIII elevated the Pious Confraternity into an Archconfraternity only for the territory of France.
1906, June 14th: Pope Saint Pius X personally wrote a blessing for the members of the Work of Saint Philomena, the original name of the Archconfraternity.
1907, June 6th: Pope Saint Pius X received Father Louis Petit and affirmed “The great argument in favour of Saint Philomena is the Curé of Ars”.
1912, May 21st: Pope Saint Pius X elevated the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena to the Universal Archconfraternity.
1934: The Archconfraternity Headquarters moved from the Church of Saint Gervais to the Church of Notre Dame of Salette in rue de Dantzing, Paris 15th arrondissement
1987: Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi, Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale, revives the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena.
1987: institution of Saint Philomena Centres throughout the world, by Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi; the promotion of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and of the Living Rosary began in Australia, the United States and Canada.
2000: Marie Burns of Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom) is appointed Director of the Archconfraternity by the President of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi.
2000: First meeting of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena in Navarre, Ohio (United States) coordinated by Marie Burns, Director of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and representative of the Scotland Centre, and Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi, hosted by the Archconfraternity Spiritual Director for the United States, Father Robert Gibas.
2001, May 18th: first official pilgrimage to stay in the newly restored Pilgrims’ House within the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena from Scotland (United Kingdom), included the young, old, disabled and children, led by Father Peter Lennon, the Archconfraternity Spiritual Director for United Kingdom and Ireland, of Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom), great promoter of Saint Philomena and the Curé of Ars. Rosemary Campbell, Marie Burns and Michael Malley, welcomed by the Rector of the Sanctuary Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi and the Mayor of Mugnano del Cardinale along with prestigious council committee members. The first of many Scottish and worldwide pilgrimages to stay in the new Pilgrim Centre and organised by the Archconfraternity.
2002: Celebration of the bicentenary for the finding of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena. Pilgrimage to Priscilla’s catacombs in Rome – promoted and organized by the President of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena and with the participation of the International Archconfraternity Centers and of the citizens of Mugnano.
2003: A comprehensive new website designed and planned out by Marie Burns, Archconfraternity worldwide Director and funded by the Archconfraternity, is launched by webmaster Richard Donley Fox.
2004, February: the official visit of the Rector Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi to the Archconfraternity Centre in the Ivory Coast is organized by the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena.
2004, May: the official visit of the Rector Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi to the Archconfraternity Centre in Scotland is organized by the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena. During the visit, Monseigneur Braschi celebrate a Holy Mass and met devotees at Carfin Grotto in Motherwell, Scotland (United Kingdom).
2004, November: the official visit of the Rector Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi to the various Archconfraternity Centres and churches in the United States is organized by the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena. Eight states were visited – Indiana, Georgia, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and California. While in Arizona, Marie Burns, Director of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena, joined Monseigneur Braschi in meeting with new webmaster, Richard Donley Fox, who introduced Monseigneur Braschi and Mrs. Burns to Janet Napolitano, Governor of Arizona.
2005, April 9th: Conference of Philomenian Studies promoted by Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi, Rector of the Sanctuary and coordinated by the Professor Father Giovanni Ariano held in the Basilica of Saint Sylvester in Rome near the Catacombs of Priscilla. Participation included various heads from the International Philomenian Archconfraternity Centres and well-known scholars. Discussed the “Philomenian Question” in knowledgeable, lucid, and exhaustive detail. Conference presenter and webmaster Richard Donley Fox and Archconfraternity Representatives reported that the Sanctuary’s website was receiving more than a million visitor hits a month, thus demonstrating the great renewal in the devotion to Saint Philomena in the 21st Century. In memory of the Michael Malley of Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom) who was due to attend but died just before, his hand painted banners exquisitely made where presented to the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena and Archconfraternity Centres of Aruba, Ivory Coast, Australia and United States to commemorate the occasion.
2005, May: the official visit of the Rector Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi to the various Archconfraternity Centres and churches in England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland is organized by the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena. The Rector participated in a meeting and a solemn Mass in the Sanctuary of Knock, Ireland.
2007, March 10th: the second official visit of the Rector Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi to the Philomenian Archconfraternity Centre of Budapest (Hungary) is organized by the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena.
2008, June: the official visit of the Rector Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi to the Philomenian Archconfraternity Centre in Scottsdale, Arizona (United States) is organized by the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena, also to commemorate the death of Father James Swenson R.I.P., Spiritual Director for the Archconfraternity Centre in United States, in the Church of St. Bridget’s in Las Vegas, Nevada (United States). This Centre was a great benefactor of the Sanctuary and donated the elevator within it.
2009, February: the official visit of the Rector Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi to the various Archconfraternity Centres and churches in the United States is organized by the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena for the inauguration of the new statue (by the sculptor Gioacchino Cennamo) of Saint Philomena in the Church of Saint Peter Chanel in Atlanta, Georgia (United States).
2011, April: A new website for the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena, funded by the Archconfraternity members in the United States, is launched by webmaster Richard Donley Fox, Archconfraternity Representative and overseen by Marie Burns, worldwide Director of the Archconfraternity.
2011, September 23rd – 25th: the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena Conference “It’s Time to Meet Saint Philomena”, held at Church of Our Lady of Snows in Belleville, Illinois (United States) is organized by Marie Burns, worldwide Director of the Archconfraternity, attending with Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi.
2011, November: Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi visited the United States, making several stops at Saint Philomena Centres; “It’s Time to Meet Saint Philomena” Mass and youth program and conference in Pennsylvania (United States).
2012: Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi and Marie Burns established National Centres of the Universal Archconfraternity for Australia, with Reverend Peter Austin as National Director; for the Caribbean, appointing Father Canuto E. F. Fuentebella, JCL, Director of the National Centre for the Caribbean; and for the United States, appointing Reverend Jason V. Kulczynski as National Director.
2012, February: Founding of the Priest Chaplains of Saint Philomena in honor of the centennial observance of the raising of the Archconfraternity to Universal or worldwide status by Pope Saint Pius X on 21st May 1912.
2021, February 26th: Monseigneur Giovanni Braschi, President of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, died. Stunned and shocked by his sudden death, the worldwide devotion mourned the death of the greatest devotee to Saint Philomena the present world had ever witnessed.
2021, February 26th – Mrs. Marie Burns, Director of Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena, takes over full responsibility for the Archconfraternity.
2023, May 25th: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Department of Evangelization, celebrated a Holy Mass at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena. His Holiness Pope Francis appointed His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples to preside over the beatification ceremony of Venerable Pauline Marie Jaricot in Lyon, France on 22nd May 2022, the previous year. Archconfraternity worldwide Director Marie Burns requested and told to His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle to reinstate the worldwide feast day formally as it was previously because the Archconfraternity need it. She also organised all Archconfraternity Centres present to request the same.
2024, May 23rd: The Branch office of the Archconfraternity, formerly located within the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, opens its new location on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Mugnano del Cardinale (Avellino). This office, functioning as a point of contact between the Archconfraternity and the Sanctuary, assists the head Office in Glasgow, Scotland (United Kingdom) in its mission to spread devotion to Saint Philomena and support Her sanctuary. Due to rapid growth of centers in Europe and elsewhere around the world, the Archconfraternity required a restructure, beginning with the change of location of this office to better serve both the Archconfraternity and support the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena as the body of work fast outgrew our previous location. From 2024 onwards the Archconfraternity continues to grow apace, requiring the creation of additional branch offices in the USA, Asia, and Oceania to support the head office in Glasgow in this important work.
2024, June 20th – Our worldwide director Mrs Marie Burns travels to Paris and visits The Church of Notre Dame de la Salette, the historical birth-place of the Universal Archconfraternity and meets Fr. Philippe Maura, pastor of the church. This initial meeting was fruitful where we were able to finally obtain contact with the church where the legacy archconfraternity was canonically erected. In this brief meeting we obtained a signed letter recognizing the Archconfraternity headquartered in Glasgow, authorizing it, and extending the legacy archconfraternities privileges to us.
2024, June 21st – A follow up meeting with Fr. Maura further established contact between the legacy Archconfraternity and the organization headquartered in Glasgow. Following the signed letter, certificates were signed recognizing, and authorizing us to take over and continue the work and vision of Louis Abbe Petit. This long sought after result, initially begun by Don Giovanni Braschi, finally bore fruit as we were able to entwine both threads of history of the Archconfraternity into one continuous strand.
In addition to the signed documents, we were also able to re-establish the old tradition of masses being said at Notre Dame de la Salette for all members of the Archconfraternity every second Friday of the month.
2024, July 24th – A letter was sent to our European Branch Office form Father Gilles MORIN – Provincial Superior, Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul for the Province of France to Mrs. Marie Burns, Worldwide Director of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena. Giving his blessing and stating, “With these few lines, I would like to tell you how much I rejoice in knowing that devotion to Saint Philomena is maintained and spread well beyond our French borders. As you know, this devotion so dear to the Holy Cure of Ars has marked the history of our sanctuary of Notre-Dame de la Salette in Paris and has been maintained there for many decades. A statue of Saint Philomena is still clearly visible on the square in front of our small sanctuary, the central location of our Congregation of the Religious of Saint Vincent de Paul. I can therefore only encourage you to maintain and develop this devotion”
2024, October 2nd – A new Honorary President for the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena is announced: His Excellency the Most Reverend Dieudonne Datonou, Apostolic Nuncio and titular Archbishop of Vico Equense. Also, a devotee of Saint Philomena brought to our powerful little Saint by his own mother who was named Philomena.
His Excellency the Most Reverend Dieudonne Datonou is a Beninese archbishop of the Catholic Church who has worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See since 1995. On 7 October 2021 he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi and elevated to the rank of archbishop. He is the first native of Benin to hold the title of nuncio. Was born in Dekanmè, Benin, ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Cotonou on 7 December 1989. He earned a degree in civil and canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University in 1995 with a dissertation “Du concept de patrimoine commun de l’humanité aux droits de l’humanité. Étude historico-juridique du concept de patrimoine commun de l’humanité en droit international”. He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on 1 July 1995. He has filled assignments in the offices of its representatives in Angola (1995–1998), Ecuador (1998–2001), Cameroon (2001–2004), Iran (2004–2006), India (2006–2009), and El Salvador (2009–2014). He also worked in the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State where in 2021 he became coordinator of papal travels. He was responsible for organizing Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq in March 2021 and to Hungary and Slovakia in September 2021. Pope Francis himself nicknamed him “the sheriff”. On 12 September 2021, during a press conference while en route to Budapest, Pope Francis mentioned that Msgr Datonou would soon become a bishop. On 7 October 2021, Pope Francis named him Apostolic Nuncio to Burundi and titular archbishop of Vico Equense. On 20 November 2021, he received episcopal consecration by cardinal Pietro Parolin, co-consecrators archbishop Protase Rugambwa (today Cardinal) and archbishop Edgar Peña Parra.