Aim
The Pious Union of Saint Philomena is a prayer and apostolate association which proposes the commitment to a life lived according to the Gospel of Christ with the example of Saint Philomena; the spreading of her devotion and the education of youth into the Christian life.
Prayers
The Novena is a powerful means to obtain graces and heavenly favors. Devotees can recite Novenas composed by Don Francesco De Lucia, by Saint John Marie Vianney, Cure of Ars, or the Litanies for nine consecutive days. When the intention is very important during the Novena it is appropriate to participate every day in the Holy Mass. Marvellous spiritual results can be equally achieved having a Novena of Holy Masses celebrated.
Duties
- Members should wear, tied around their body or with them, the Blessed Cord of the Saint.
- Members should read, and encourage others to read, the Life of the Young Saint.
- Members should recite daily, within limits, the Little Crown of Saint Philomena.
Members should receive Holy Communion on January 10th, May 25th and the 10th, 11th or 13th of August.
Rights
- For members, alive or dead, there will be a Holy Mass celebrated every second Friday of the month.
- The members will share all the benefits received through prayers said throughout the worldwide centres.
- The members that are the most zealous in bringing new members to join the universal archconfraternity and that show interest in the spreading of the devotion will be called zealots.
Privileges
- The conditions established by the Church (confession, communion and prayer for the Roman Pontiff) the indulgence is acquired on the day in which the Cord is worn, as long as it has been blessed.
- The indulgence is acquired even on the days 10 January, 25 May, 10 August, 11 August and 13 August.
Levels of Membership
Means
To accomplish these different purposes, the Archconfraternity makes use of prayer and of the material and spiritual support of its members:
It uses the members’ offers to spread the devotion through the internet, publication of prints, news, leaflets, etc.
Publishes a special bulletin: “Messenger of Saint Philomena”.
Organisation
The members of the Archconfraternity are divided into:
Little members – Children of Mary:
This section includes children under 13 years of age who have been entrusted to the protection of Saint Philomena. The little members of Saint Philomena, if they wish, can do a lot for the reign of Christ, through prayer.
Youth members – Youth for Purity:
Young adults can place themselves under the protection of Saint Philomena for guidance in their lives to make right decisions. To bring them into a life in Christ Jesus.
Members – Family of Saint Philomena:
These are the persons, placing themselves under the protection of Saint Philomena, practice prayers and apostolate with other members of the Archconfraternity in favor of the other members and for the great intentions that the Church has entrusted to the Association.
Members of the Cord of Saint Philomena:
The members of the Archconfraternity who wish to place themselves in a particular manner under the protection of the Saint, or who desire to imitate the examples of the young Martyr in the perfect practice of their duties, carry as a badge, tied around their body or wrist, a white and red Cord which represents the virtues of their patron Saint: a) the faith and the purity of the virgins; and b) the charity and generosity of the martyrdom;
The Cord is a sacramental of the archconfraternity, and sign of a special devotion toward the Saint as members and is worn in order to receive special graces, in particular to lead a chaste life according to their state. For those who carry the Cord the daily recital of the following prayer is recommended:
Oh Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us, so that through your powerful intercession, we may receive the purity of spirit and heart, which leads to the perfect Love of God. Amen.
Brief history of the Cord of Saint Philomena
In 1883 Abbe Louis Petit (whom Pope Leo XIII received several times in audience) petitioned the Holy See to formally approve the cord of St. Philomena. On December 15th his request was granted when the Sacred congregation of Rites approved the wearing of her Cord of two colours, white and red, symbols of virginity and martyrdom, which Abbe Louis Petit promoted through his monthly publication, ‘The Messenger of St. Philomena’.
The following year the cord was granted more graces on April 3rd, 1884, when Pope Leo XIII consecrated it in perpetuity by deputing a religious family to bless it with the application of indulgences. Approximately two months after canonical erection of the Confraternity known as ‘The work of Saint Philomena’ at the church of Notre Dame de la Salette in Paris which is also home of The Religious of St. Vincent de Paul of which Abbe Louis Petit was an ordained priest. Later, on May 2, 1884, the Holy Father granted further indulgences, extending this work to the Universal Church, effectively formally authorising the ‘Work of Saint Philomena’ to distribute the cord worldwide.
Here marks the point where ‘The Cord of Saint Philomena’ is entwined as part of our spirituality, becoming both the sacramental of the archconfraternity, reflected as part of our attire as a sign of membership. Therefore, members are encouraged to be invested with the cord and wear it daily while reciting the prescribed prayers.