Historical Chronology

January.

• 1st, 1841 – Pope Gregory XVI, with the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, promotes the Office of Saint Philomena to a double rite of the second class, without an Octave, in her own Church in Mugnano.
• 8th, 1905 – Saint Pius X affirms that “the greatest argument in favour of the cult of Saint Philomena is the Cure’ of Ars” (cfr. –  J.M. Martinez, Luz y fuerza).
• 11th, 1855 – Pope Pius IX, with the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, approves and grants to the clergy of Mugnano, the Proper Office with a Proper Mass in honour of Saint Philomena Virgin and Martyr, as a double rite of the second class.
• 14th, 1896 – Pope Leo XIII grants the Feast of the Patronage of Saint Philomena.
• 15th, 1857 – Pope Pius IX, with a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, on at the request of Mons. Joseph Formisano, Bishop of Nola, extends to the regular and secular clergy of the diocese of Nola the permission to celebrate, as a double minor rite, the Proper Office and the Mass in honour of Saint Philomena Virgin and Martyr, already approved and conceded to the clergy of Mugnano and other dioceses. 
• 30th, 1837 – Pope Gregory XVI solemnly approves the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites of September 6, 1834, with which it was granted to the secular and regular clergy of the Diocese of Nola to recite on August 11 the Office with the Mass of the Common of a Virgin and Martyr,  primo loco, with the fourth Lesson of Matins of the Divine Office in honour of Saint Philomena V. and M.
• 31st, 1866 – the Abbot Monnin, one of the greatest experts of the Cure’ of Ars’ life, visits the Sanctuary in Mugnano and celebrates the Mass at the Saint’s altar.

February. There are no recorded events.

March.

• 15th, 1826 – Leo XII, with decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, grants the permission to celebrate once the solemn Mass from the Common of a Virgin and Martyr, on the day of the feast of Saint Philomena in her Sanctuary in Mugnano del Cardinale, as long as it was not on a fixed Sunday, which would require a double Office of the first class.

• 16th, 1965 – Mary Mulcahy, received a private audience by Paul VI, and handed to him approximately six thousand requests of the Irish faithful asking to reconsider the decree of 1961.

• 23rd, 1965 – The Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Paul VI informs Miss Mulcahy that the Pope has passed on to the Sacred Congregation of Rites the petition made by the Irish devotees for a re-examination of the decree of 1961.

April.

• 2nd, 1859 – the Cure’ of Ars,  to find the funds required to build the Basilica in honour of Saint Philomena, wrote –  “I shall pray to the good God for those who will help me build a nice church for Saint Philomena.  Jean Vianney, Cure of Ars”.  The church was completed in 1881, after the Cure’s death. 

• 9th, 1847 – the death of Don Francis De Lucia. 

• 11th, 1835 – Queen Marie Christine of Savoy, with her husband Ferdinand II, King of Naples, come to Mugnano to beg for the grace of fertility. 

• 16th, 1839 – Gregory XVI,. with the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, grants the clergy of Mugnano the permission to recite the Office of Saint Philomena V. and M. on her feast as a double major rite. 

May.

• 21st, 1912 – Pope Pius X extends to the whole Church the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena.
• 24th, 1802 – the finding by the fossors in Rome of a tomb in Priscilla’s Catacombs with the symbols of martyrdom, and the notification of its discovery to Don Philip Ludovici, second caretaker of the catacombs.  The tomb contained bones and a vial with some blood.  It was sealed by three tiles bearing the inscription – “Pax Tecum Filumena” and the representation of the symbols of martyrdom – the anchor, the arrows, the palm, and the lily.

•   25th, 1802 – the finding of the body of Saint Philomena in Priscilla’s Catacombs, in the presence of Don Philip Ludovici and many other witnesses.

• 31st, 1835 – Monsignor Anselmo Basilici visits the Sanctuary in Mugnano and gives the Rector Don Francis De Lucia the certificate concerning the multiplication of Saint Philomena’s relics.
• 1843, month of May – miraculous healing of Saint John Marie Vianney, Cure’ of Ars.
• 1843, month of May – miraculous healing in Ars of an ecclesiastic of Moulins, suffering from the last stages of consumption. 

June.

• 6th, 1907 – Pope Pius X, receiving Father Louis Petit, affirms – “The great argument in favour of Saint Philomena is the Cure’ of Ars.”
• 8th, 1805 – granting of the body of Saint Philomena to Mons. Bartolomeo De Cesare, who in turn donated it to his friend, Don Francis De Lucia.
• 9th, 1896 – Bartolo Longo and his consort visit the Sanctuary.  The Blessed Bartolo Longo serves the Mass at the altar of the Saint.
• 14th, 1906 – Pope Pius X personally writes a blessing for the members of the Work of Saint Philomena.
• 16th, 1835 – Pope Gregory XVI receives Mons. Anselmo Basilici, who updates him on the miracles of Saint Philomena and especially about the multiplication of the relics.
• 17th, 1835 – the Vice Prefect of the Congregation of Rites examines the miracle of the relics’ multiplication.  The result is positive.  The miracle is officially verified. 
• 30th, 1805 – Episcopal consecration in Rome of Mons. Bartolomeo De Cesare, newly appointed Bishop of Potenza, through whose intercession with Pope Pius VII, Don Francis De Lucia received in donation the relics of Saint Philomena. 

July.

• 1st, 1805 – Don Francis De Lucia and the Bishop Bartolomeo De Cesare leave Rome taking with them the sacred remains of Saint Philomena.
• 2nd, 1805 – The sacred remains of Saint Philomena arrive in Naples where they are received in the house of the bookseller, Antonio Terres.
• 21st, 1827 – Pope Leo XII donates to the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena the three slabs that sealed the tomb of Saint Philomena. On August 4th these are displayed for public veneration.

August.

• 9th, 1836 – building of the chapel at Saint Gervais in Paris in honour of Saint Philomena. 
• 10th, 1805 – transfer of the relics of Saint Philomena to Mugnano del Cardinale.
• 10th, 1835 – healing of Pauline Jaricot, founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and of the Living Rosary. 
• 11th, 1823 – sweating of the statue of Saint Philomena donated to the Sanctuary by Cardinal Louis Ruffo Scilla. 
• 1814 – healing of the lawyer Alexander Serio and miracle of the miraculously repaired crack in the altar marble.
• 1872 – first national pilgrimage to Ars and La Salette, promoted by the Abbot Thédenat. 

September.

• 19th, 1772 – birth of Don Francis De Lucia.
• 19th, 1796 – ordination of Don Francis De Lucia. 

• 29th, 1805 – definitive translation of the sacred relics of St. Philomena to their own chapel in Our Lady of Grace Church in Mugnano.

• 6th, 1834 – Pope Gregory XVI grants permission to sing the Mass, even on a Sunday, as long as the feast falls on August 10th, the day of the Transferral of the Saint’s body.

• 9th, 1886 – Pope Leo XIII approves the Feast of the Patronage of St. Philomena (January 14).

• 11th, 1846 – healing of the novice Monestrol, of the Order of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, through the intercession of Saint Philomena.

• 24th, 1889 – Pope Leo XIII grants throughout France the title and privilege of “Archconfraternity” for the Work of Saint Philomena. 

• 25th, 1983 – Don Giovanni Braschi joins the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena as Rector.

October.

• 1871 – the Abbot Thédenat, of the diocese s of Paris, while praying at the tomb of the Venerable J.M. 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 (fig. 25).

• 16th, 1887 – Pope Leo XIII blessed the flag that Father Louis Petit used in the pilgrimages to Paray le Monial, Ars, and La Salette.

November.

• 7th, 1849 – Pope Pius IX goes to the Sanctuary of Mugnano to celebrate Mass on the altar of the Saint.

• 1854 – Pope Pius IX, on request of Ferdinand II, King of Naples, proclaims Saint Philomena Second Patroness of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, after Saint Januarius. 

• 29th, 1963 – the archaeologist, Jesuit Father Anthony Ferrua, re-examines positively the epitaph on the tomb of the Saint. 

December.

• 1833 – miraculous healing of the dying Franciscan Sister Mary Jesualda Garelli.

• 9th, 1859 – Pope Pius IX, with a Pontifical Brief, grants temporarily to the Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena in Mugnano the privilege to use the pontifical insignias to carry out all the sacred functions in the Sanctuary.

• 15th, 1883 – Pope Leo XIII approves the pious practice of the Blessed Cord of Saint Philomena and grant indulgences to whoever carries it. 

• 21st, 1833 – Imprimatur (Official approval) of the Holy Office granted to the “Revelations” of Sister Marie Louise of Jesus. 

• 25th, 1970 – the periodical “La Campana (The Bell)” publication of the Diocese of Nola carries the article of November 29, 1963, written by the Jesuit Fr. Anthony Ferrua, in which the results of the re-examination of the epitaph on the tomb of the Saint are detailed.

Important events worth noting by year.

• 1819 – the future Pope Pius IX is healed of epilepsy by intercession of Saint Philomena.

• 1824 – first edition of the work of Don Francis De Lucia, Historic Account of the transferral of the Body of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale.  It was printed an additional six times and translated in many different languages.

• 1835 – the image of Saint Philomena is displayed for the first time in the Church of Saint Gervais in Paris (fig. 26).

• 1837 – the Holy Cure’ of Ars erects an altar in honour of Saint Philomena.

• 1880 – Arnard Doncoeur at first and later, Father Louis Petit and Father Joseph Bonavenia, following accurate studies, dates the burial niche of Saint Philomena to the post-apostolic period. 

• 1890-1910 – Archaeologists De Waal and Marucchi propose doubts.

• 1906-1907 – Bonavenia challenges the two archaeologists. 

• 1961 – the Congregation of Rites removes the feast of Saint Philomena from the liturgical Calendar. 

• 1964 – Mons. Luigi Esposito, Rector of the Sanctuary of Mugnano, while visiting Msgr. A. Binni, Bishop of Nola, submits a question, asking about the authentic interpretation of the instruction “Festum autem S. Philumenae…” and precisely if with that instruction only the liturgical cult had been removed or also every kind of cult. The answer was – “The liturgical cult has been removed; the popular cult has remained unchanged. The Saint can be venerated and honoured even using the Common (of Virgins and Martyrs) as an external feast with Mass.”.  

• 1964 – Dante Balboni underlines the theological aspect. 

• 1971 – Mons. Luigi Esposito publishes the book “Saint Philomena Roman Virgin.  Historic News.”

• 1981 – publication of G.J.E. Mautner Markhof’s “Das un-bequeme Wunder”, Poseidon Press, Vienna 1981.
• 1983 – on September 25, Don Giovanni Braschi is nominated Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, with decree of His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph Costanzo, Bishop of Nola. 
• 1985 – Don Giovanni Braschi publishes the book “Saint Philomena”, reprinted in 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003.
• 1987 – Don Giovanni Braschi revives the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena.
• 1987 – institution of St. Philomena Centers throughout the world, by Rector Braschi; promotion of the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena and of the Living Rosary in Australia, the U.S.A. and Canada. 
• 1989 – beginning of restoration work at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena.
• 1990 – Rector Giovanni Braschi founds the Agency “Lumena Travel” in Boston to provide for pilgrimages from the USA to ITALY, with an obligatory visit to the Sanctuary.
• 1990 – Rector Braschi promotes the official publication of the periodical “Philomena” for Switzerland, in the German language, edited by the Theresia-Verlag (CH).
• 1992 – Conference of Philomenian Studies with Chairman His Excellency, Archbishop Umberto Tramma, Bishop of Nola.  Coordinator: Prof. Don Giovanni Ariano.  Speaker and vaticanista Mons. Dante Balboni.  There were many participants and vast contents. 
• 1994 – conclusion of the partial restoration of the Sanctuary – artistic panelled ceiling from the seventeenth century, the new Hall of the Martyr and Pilgrim Center; and the installation of bells in the bell tower. 
• 1996 – a year rich with pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, pilgrims coming from the USA, Germany, Australia, Angola, Guatemala, Ukraine and Hungary.
• 1997 – publication of the book Ismeretlen Ismeros in Hungarian, promoted by the Rector Braschi, written by Dr. Golenszky Kandid O. Cist. (Budapest).  Installation and blessing of a new statue of Saint Philomena in Kecskemét, attended by the Rector of the Sanctuary. 
• 1999 – donation of a painting by the famous artist Masa Festzy by the Association of Saint Philomena in Hungary.  This was made possible on initiative of Horvàth Gyongyi of Budapest. 
• 1999 – Regional Conference at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena for the Centenary of the birth of P. Jaricot, Foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and of the Living Rosary.
• 2000 – Marie Burns of Glasgow Scotland UK is appointed Director of the Archconfraternity by the President of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena Msgr. Braschi.
• 2000 – First meeting of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena in Navarre, Ohio, USA, coordinated by Marie Burns, Director of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and representative of the Scotland Center and Rector Msgr. Braschi. Hosted by Fr Robert Gibas.
• 2000 – completion of the bronze doors of the Sanctuary, the work of artist William Savini.  Donated by the Local Council of Mugnano del Cardinale and blessed by Cardinal Louis Poggi on the12th of December, with the participation of His Excellency, Archbishop Benjamin Depalma, Bishop of Nola.
• 2001 – 18th May – first official pilgrimage to stay in the newly restored Pilgrim Center, within the Sanctuary, from Scotland UK. Included the young, old, disabled and children. Led by Fr. Peter Lennon of Glasgow Scotland UK, great promoter of St. Philomena and the Cure d’Ars. Rosemary Campbell, Marie Burns and Michael Malley. Welcomed by the Rector of the Sanctuary Msgr. Braschi and the Mayor of Mugnano along with prestigious council committee members. The first of many Scottish and worldwide pilgrimages to stay in the new Pilgrim Center.  
• 2002 – painting restoration of the Sanctuary and of the old Sacristy.  Building of the chapel of the Crucifix, annexed to the altar of Saint Philomena, on the initiative of the Rector Monsignor Giovanni Braschi.  The restoration of the wooden Crucifix and the realization of the polychrome stained-glass window were assigned to the artist Luigi Falco.

• 2002 – donation of an artistic and monumental statue, the work of the sculptor Peratoner of the Ortisei School (Bolzano).  Donated by a group of devotees from Austria and Bavaria (Germany). 

• 2002 – celebration of the bicentenary for the finding of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena.  Pilgrimage to Priscilla’s catacombs in Rome –promoted by the Rector of the Sanctuary with the participation of the International Centers and of the citizens of Mugnano.

• February 27-29, 2002 – recognition of the Sacred Relics of Saint Philomena on the occasion of the bicentenary of the finding on May 25, 1802, in Priscilla’s catacombs.  This acknowledgement was carried out, with maximum discretion and scientific scrupulousness in the presence of a board of studies delegated by His Excellency, Archbishop Benjamin Depalma, Bishop of Nola and the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi. 

• 2003 – Permanent appointment of Marie Burns of Glasgow, Scotland UK as Director of the Universal Archconfraternity of St Philomena, by Monsignor Braschi, Rector.

• 2003 – visit of the Rector Giovanni Braschi to the house of the Ven. Pauline Jaricot in Lorette and to her tomb in the Church of Saint-Nizier in Lyon. On this occasion he also visited the Sanctuary of Ars.

• 2003 – launching a comprehensive new website by webmaster, Richard Donley Fox.

• August 9, 2003 – Conference of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi on television (Rai 1, program Mattina Uno) on the subject “The miracles of Saint Philomena”.  

• February 2004 – official visit of the Rector Monsignor Giovanni Braschi to the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena center in the Ivory Coast. 

• May 2004 – visit of the Rector Monsignor Giovanni Braschi to the Archconfraternity center of Scotland, with Mass and a meeting with devotees at Carvin Grotto in Motherwell, Scotland UK. 
• November 2004 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the various centers and churches of the United States.  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 Father Braschi in meeting with new webmaster, Richard Donley Fox, who introduced Fr. Braschi and Mrs. Burns to Arizona Governor, Janet Napolitano.

• January 2005 – restoration work on the tomb of Don Francis De Lucia.  Realization of a bas-relief in bronze, which was the work of Prof. Silvano Muollo.  The work was inaugurated during the feast of Saint Philomena’s Patronage.  Inauguration of new benches in the Sanctuary, donated by an anonymous devotee from the United States.

• February 2005 – beginning of the restoration works of the Sacred Altar of Saint Philomena.

• April 9, 2005 – Conference of Philomenian Studies promoted by Msgr. Braschi, Rector of the Sanctuary and coordinated by the Prof. Fr. Giovanni Ariano.  Held in the Basilica of St. Sylvester in Rome near Priscilla’s catacombs.  Participation included various heads from the International Philomenian Centers and well-known scholars.  Discussed the “Philomena Question” in knowledgeable, lucid, and exhaustive detail.  Conference presenter and webmaster Richard Donley Fox 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 UK) who was due to attend but died just before, his hand painted banners exquisitely made where presented to the Sanctuary of St Philomena and Archconfraternity Centres of Aruba, Ivory Coast, Australia and USA to commemorate the occasion.

• May 2005 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to various centers and churches of England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Participation of the Rector in a meeting and solemn Mass in the Sanctuary of Knock, Ireland.
• August 10, 2005 – celebration for the bicentenary of the transferral of the Body of Saint Philomena from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale.  Display and procession of the Sacred Body of the Saint.  The unveiling of a shell with the effigy of Saint Philomena (high relief in bronze realized by the artist Prof. Silvano Muollo) in remembrance of the bicentenary.
• March 10, 2007 – second official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the Philomenian Center of Budapest, Hungary.

• June 2008 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the Philomenian center at the in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Also to commemorate the death of Fr James Swenson R.I.P., a great benefactor of the Sanctuary, who donated the elevator, at the Church of St. Bridget’s in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

• July 4, 2008 – centenary of the coronation of Our Lady of Grace with solemn celebration in Umberto I square, Mugnano del Cardinale.

• September 25, 2008 – 25th Rectorate Anniversary for Mons. Giovanni Braschi at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena.

• February 2009 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the various centers and churches of the United States.  The journey was organized 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, USA.  

• January 2011 – Sister Bertilla’s death in Mugnano.  A very special tribute must be paid to our late Sister Bertilla.  Sister Bertilla, originally known as Maria Giuseppina Ecclesiastico, was sent to Mugnano del Cardinale on August 5, 1986 by H. E. Mons. Joseph Costanzo, Bishop of Nola.  With admirable dedication for nearly a quarter of a century, she carried out her mission in our Sanctuary, fully devoted to the divine cult, the glory of Saint Philomena and at the service of the very many faithful.

• April 2011 – A new website for the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena is launched by webmaster Richard Donley Fox.

• September 23-25, 2011 — It’s Time to Meet Saint Philomena, Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena Conference held at Our Lady of Snows, Belleville, Illinois, USA, organized by Marie Burns Director of the Archconfraternity attending with Monsignor Giovanni Braschi.

• November 2011 — Monsignor Giovanni Braschi visits the United States, making several stops at St. Philomena centers and the It’s Time to Meet Saint Philomena Mass and Conference in Pennsylvania

• 2012 — Monsignor Braschi establishes National Centers of the Universal Archconfraternity for Australia, with Reverend Peter Austin as National Director; for the Caribbean, appointing Fr. Canuto E. F. Fuentebella, JCL, Director of the National Center for the Caribbean;  and for the United States, appointing Reverend Jason V. Kulczynski as National Director. 

• February 2012 — Founding of the Priest Chaplains of Saint Philomena in honour of the centennial observance of the raising of the Archconfraternity to universal or worldwide status by Pope Saint Pius X on May 21, 1912.

• February 26, 2021 – Monsignor Giovanni Braschi, President of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, death. 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.

• February 26, 2021 – Mrs. Marie Burns, Director of Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena takes over full responsibility for the Archconfraternity.

• May 10, 2023 – His Holiness Pope Francis blessed the miraculous statue of Saint Philomena in Rome, it is the first ever statue made of Saint Philomena. It was presented to him during a Papal Blessing in St Peters Square, he said “Saint Philomena was the protector of Saint John Marie Vianney, the Holy Curé of Ars; the Holy Curé of Ars is the protector of all priests. Let us priests also entrust ourselves to Saint Philomena in order to achieve holiness”.
• May 25, 2023 – Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Department of Evangelization celebrated 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 May 22, 2022, the previous year.
  
  
• May 23rd, 2024 – The branch office of the Archconfraternity, formerly located within the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, opens it’s 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 in its mission to spread devotion to Saint 

Philomena and support her Sanctuary.

Due to rapid growth of centres in Europe and other territories 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. 

• June 20th, 2024 – 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 obtain a signed letter recognizing the Archconfraternity headquartered in Glasgow, authorizing it, and extending the legacy archconfraternities privileges to us. 

• June 21st, 2024 – 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. 

• July 24th   2024 – 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….”

• October 2nd   2024 – 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. 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.

• 1 – Pope Gregory XVI, with the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, promotes the Office of Saint Philomena to a double rite of the second class, without an Octave, in her own Church in Mugnano.
• 8th, 1905 – Saint Pius X affirms that “the greatest argument in favour of the cult of Saint Philomena is the Cure’ of Ars” (cfr. –  J.M. Martinez, Luz y fuerza).
• 11th, 1855 – Pope Pius IX, with the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, approves and grants to the clergy of Mugnano, the Proper Office with a Proper Mass in honour of Saint Philomena Virgin and Martyr, as a double rite of the second class.
• 14th, 1896 – Pope Leo XIII grants the Feast of the Patronage of Saint Philomena.
• 15th, 1857 – Pope Pius IX, with a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, on at the request of Mons. Joseph Formisano, Bishop of Nola, extends to the regular and secular clergy of the diocese of Nola the permission to celebrate, as a double minor rite, the Proper Office and the Mass in honour of Saint Philomena Virgin and Martyr, already approved and conceded to the clergy of Mugnano and other dioceses. 
• 30th, 1837 – Pope Gregory XVI solemnly approves the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites of September 6, 1834, with which it was granted to the secular and regular clergy of the Diocese of Nola to recite on August 11 the Office with the Mass of the Common of a Virgin and Martyr,  primo loco, with the fourth Lesson of Matins of the Divine Office in honour of Saint Philomena V. and M.
• 31st, 1866 – the Abbot Monnin, one of the greatest experts of the Cure’ of Ars’ life, visits the Sanctuary in Mugnano and celebrates the Mass at the Saint’s altar.

February. There are no recorded events.

             March.

• 15th, 1826 – Leo XII, with decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, grants the permission to celebrate once the solemn Mass from the Common of a Virgin and Martyr, on the day of the feast of Saint Philomena in her Sanctuary in Mugnano del Cardinale, as long as it was not on a fixed Sunday, which would require a double Office of the first class.

• 16th, 1965 – Mary Mulcahy, received a private audience by Paul VI, and handed to him approximately six thousand requests of the Irish faithful asking to reconsider the decree of 1961.

• 23rd, 1965 – The Secretary of State of His Holiness Pope Paul VI informs Miss Mulcahy that the Pope has passed on to the Sacred Congregation of Rites the petition made by the Irish devotees for a re-examination of the decree of 1961.

April.

• 2nd, 1859 – the Cure’ of Ars,  to find the funds required to build the Basilica in honour of Saint Philomena, wrote –  “I shall pray to the good God for those who will help me build a nice church for Saint Philomena.  Jean Vianney, Cure of Ars”.  The church was completed in 1881, after the Cure’s death. 

• 9th, 1847 – the death of Don Francis De Lucia. 

• 11th, 1835 – Queen Marie Christine of Savoy, with her husband Ferdinand II, King of Naples, come to Mugnano to beg for the grace of fertility. 

• 16th, 1839 – Gregory XVI,. with the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, grants the clergy of Mugnano the permission to recite the Office of Saint Philomena V. and M. on her feast as a double major rite. 

May.

• 21st, 1912 – Pope Pius X extends to the whole Church the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena.
• 24th, 1802 – the finding by the fossors in Rome of a tomb in Priscilla’s Catacombs with the symbols of martyrdom, and the notification of its discovery to Don Philip Ludovici, second caretaker of the catacombs.  The tomb contained bones and a vial with some blood.  It was sealed by three tiles bearing the inscription – “Pax Tecum Filumena” and the representation of the symbols of martyrdom – the anchor, the arrows, the palm, and the lily.

•   25th, 1802 – the finding of the body of Saint Philomena in Priscilla’s Catacombs, in the presence of Don Philip Ludovici and many other witnesses.

• 31st, 1835 – Monsignor Anselmo Basilici visits the Sanctuary in Mugnano and gives the Rector Don Francis De Lucia the certificate concerning the multiplication of Saint Philomena’s relics.
• 1843, month of May – miraculous healing of Saint John Marie Vianney, Cure’ of Ars.
• 1843, month of May – miraculous healing in Ars of an ecclesiastic of Moulins, suffering from the last stages of consumption. 

June.

• 6th, 1907 – Pope Pius X, receiving Father Louis Petit, affirms – “The great argument in favour of Saint Philomena is the Cure’ of Ars.”
• 8th, 1805 – granting of the body of Saint Philomena to Mons. Bartolomeo De Cesare, who in turn donated it to his friend, Don Francis De Lucia.
• 9th, 1896 – Bartolo Longo and his consort visit the Sanctuary.  The Blessed Bartolo Longo serves the Mass at the altar of the Saint.
• 14th, 1906 – Pope Pius X personally writes a blessing for the members of the Work of Saint Philomena.
• 16th, 1835 – Pope Gregory XVI receives Mons. Anselmo Basilici, who updates him on the miracles of Saint Philomena and especially about the multiplication of the relics.
• 17th, 1835 – the Vice Prefect of the Congregation of Rites examines the miracle of the relics’ multiplication.  The result is positive.  The miracle is officially verified. 
• 30th, 1805 – Episcopal consecration in Rome of Mons. Bartolomeo De Cesare, newly appointed Bishop of Potenza, through whose intercession with Pope Pius VII, Don Francis De Lucia received in donation the relics of Saint Philomena. 

July.

• 1st, 1805 – Don Francis De Lucia and the Bishop Bartolomeo De Cesare leave Rome taking with them the sacred remains of Saint Philomena.
• 2nd, 1805 – The sacred remains of Saint Philomena arrive in Naples where they are received in the house of the bookseller, Antonio Terres.
• 21st, 1827 – Pope Leo XII donates to the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena the three slabs that sealed the tomb of Saint Philomena. On August 4th these are displayed for public veneration.

August.

• 9th, 1836 – building of the chapel at Saint Gervais in Paris in honour of Saint Philomena. 
• 10th, 1805 – transfer of the relics of Saint Philomena to Mugnano del Cardinale.
• 10th, 1835 – healing of Pauline Jaricot, founder of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and of the Living Rosary. 
• 11th, 1823 – sweating of the statue of Saint Philomena donated to the Sanctuary by Cardinal Louis Ruffo Scilla. 
• 1814 – healing of the lawyer Alexander Serio and miracle of the miraculously repaired crack in the altar marble.
• 1872 – first national pilgrimage to Ars and La Salette, promoted by the Abbot Thédenat. 

September.

• 19th, 1772 – birth of Don Francis De Lucia.

• 19th, 1796 – ordination of Don Francis De Lucia. 

• 29th, 1805 – definitive translation of the sacred relics of St. Philomena to their own chapel in Our Lady of Grace Church in Mugnano.

• 6th, 1834 – Pope Gregory XVI grants permission to sing the Mass, even on a Sunday, as long as the feast falls on August 10th, the day of the Transferral of the Saint’s body.

• 9th, 1886 – Pope Leo XIII approves the Feast of the Patronage of St. Philomena (January 14).

• 11th, 1846 – healing of the novice Monestrol, of the Order of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, through the intercession of Saint Philomena.

• 24th, 1889 – Pope Leo XIII grants throughout France the title and privilege of “Archconfraternity” for the Work of Saint Philomena. 

• 25th, 1983 – Don Giovanni Braschi joins the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena as Rector.

October.

• 1871 – the Abbot Thédenat, of the diocese s of Paris, while praying at the tomb of the Venerable J.M. 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 (fig. 25).

• 16th, 1887 – Pope Leo XIII blessed the flag that Father Louis Petit used in the pilgrimages to Paray le Monial, Ars, and La Salette.

November.

• 7th, 1849 – Pope Pius IX goes to the Sanctuary of Mugnano to celebrate Mass on the altar of the Saint.

• 1854 – Pope Pius IX, on request of Ferdinand II, King of Naples, proclaims Saint Philomena Second Patroness of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, after Saint Januarius. 

• 29th, 1963 – the archaeologist, Jesuit Father Anthony Ferrua, re-examines positively the epitaph on the tomb of the Saint. 

December.

• 1833 – miraculous healing of the dying Franciscan Sister Mary Jesualda Garelli.

• 9th, 1859 – Pope Pius IX, with a Pontifical Brief, grants temporarily to the Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena in Mugnano the privilege to use the pontifical insignias to carry out all the sacred functions in the Sanctuary.

• 15th, 1883 – Pope Leo XIII approves the pious practice of the Blessed Cord of Saint Philomena and grant indulgences to whoever carries it. 

• 21st, 1833 – Imprimatur (Official approval) of the Holy Office granted to the “Revelations” of Sister Marie Louise of Jesus. 

• 25th, 1970 – the periodical “La Campana (The Bell)” publication of the Diocese of Nola carries the article of November 29, 1963, written by the Jesuit Fr. Anthony Ferrua, in which the results of the re-examination of the epitaph on the tomb of the Saint are detailed.

Important events worth noting by year.

• 1819 – the future Pope Pius IX is healed of epilepsy by intercession of Saint Philomena.

• 1824 – first edition of the work of Don Francis De Lucia, Historic Account of the transferral of the Body of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale.  It was printed an additional six times and translated in many different languages.

• 1835 – the image of Saint Philomena is displayed for the first time in the Church of Saint Gervais in Paris (fig. 26).

• 1837 – the Holy Cure’ of Ars erects an altar in honour of Saint Philomena.

• 1880 – Arnard Doncoeur at first and later, Father Louis Petit and Father Joseph Bonavenia, following accurate studies, dates the burial niche of Saint Philomena to the post-apostolic period. 

• 1890-1910 – Archaeologists De Waal and Marucchi propose doubts.

• 1906-1907 – Bonavenia challenges the two archaeologists. 

• 1961 – the Congregation of Rites removes the feast of Saint Philomena from the liturgical Calendar. 

• 1964 – Mons. Luigi Esposito, Rector of the Sanctuary of Mugnano, while visiting Msgr. A. Binni, Bishop of Nola, submits a question, asking about the authentic interpretation of the instruction “Festum autem S. Philumenae…” and precisely if with that instruction only the liturgical cult had been removed or also every kind of cult. The answer was – “The liturgical cult has been removed; the popular cult has remained unchanged. The Saint can be venerated and honoured even using the Common (of Virgins and Martyrs) as an external feast with Mass.”.  

• 1964 – Dante Balboni underlines the theological aspect. 

• 1971 – Mons. Luigi Esposito publishes the book “Saint Philomena Roman Virgin.  Historic News.”

• 1981 – publication of G.J.E. Mautner Markhof’s “Das un-bequeme Wunder”, Poseidon Press, Vienna 1981.
• 1983 – on September 25, Don Giovanni Braschi is nominated Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, with decree of His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph Costanzo, Bishop of Nola. 
• 1985 – Don Giovanni Braschi publishes the book “Saint Philomena”, reprinted in 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2003.
• 1987 – Don Giovanni Braschi revives the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena.
• 1987 – institution of St. Philomena Centers throughout the world, by Rector Braschi; promotion of the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena and of the Living Rosary in Australia, the U.S.A. and Canada. 
• 1989 – beginning of restoration work at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena.
• 1990 – Rector Giovanni Braschi founds the Agency “Lumena Travel” in Boston to provide for pilgrimages from the USA to ITALY, with an obligatory visit to the Sanctuary.
• 1990 – Rector Braschi promotes the official publication of the periodical “Philomena” for Switzerland, in the German language, edited by the Theresia-Verlag (CH).
• 1992 – Conference of Philomenian Studies with Chairman His Excellency, Archbishop Umberto Tramma, Bishop of Nola.  Coordinator: Prof. Don Giovanni Ariano.  Speaker and vaticanista Mons. Dante Balboni.  There were many participants and vast contents. 
• 1994 – conclusion of the partial restoration of the Sanctuary – artistic panelled ceiling from the seventeenth century, the new Hall of the Martyr and Pilgrim Center; and the installation of bells in the bell tower. 
• 1996 – a year rich with pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, pilgrims coming from the USA, Germany, Australia, Angola, Guatemala, Ukraine and Hungary.
• 1997 – publication of the book Ismeretlen Ismeros in Hungarian, promoted by the Rector Braschi, written by Dr. Golenszky Kandid O. Cist. (Budapest).  Installation and blessing of a new statue of Saint Philomena in Kecskemét, attended by the Rector of the Sanctuary. 
• 1999 – donation of a painting by the famous artist Masa Festzy by the Association of Saint Philomena in Hungary.  This was made possible on initiative of Horvàth Gyongyi of Budapest. 
• 1999 – Regional Conference at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena for the Centenary of the birth of P. Jaricot, Foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and of the Living Rosary.
• 2000 – Marie Burns of Glasgow Scotland UK is appointed Director of the Archconfraternity by the President of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena Msgr. Braschi.
• 2000 – First meeting of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena in Navarre, Ohio, USA, coordinated by Marie Burns, Director of the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and representative of the Scotland Center and Rector Msgr. Braschi. Hosted by Fr Robert Gibas.
• 2000 – completion of the bronze doors of the Sanctuary, the work of artist William Savini.  Donated by the Local Council of Mugnano del Cardinale and blessed by Cardinal Louis Poggi on the12th of December, with the participation of His Excellency, Archbishop Benjamin Depalma, Bishop of Nola.
• 2001 – 18th May – first official pilgrimage to stay in the newly restored Pilgrim Center, within the Sanctuary, from Scotland UK. Included the young, old, disabled and children. Led by Fr. Peter Lennon of Glasgow Scotland UK, great promoter of St. Philomena and the Cure d’Ars. Rosemary Campbell, Marie Burns and Michael Malley. Welcomed by the Rector of the Sanctuary Msgr. Braschi and the Mayor of Mugnano along with prestigious council committee members. The first of many Scottish and worldwide pilgrimages to stay in the new Pilgrim Center.  
• 2002 – painting restoration of the Sanctuary and of the old Sacristy.  Building of the chapel of the Crucifix, annexed to the altar of Saint Philomena, on the initiative of the Rector Monsignor Giovanni Braschi.  The restoration of the wooden Crucifix and the realization of the polychrome stained-glass window were assigned to the artist Luigi Falco.

• 2002 – donation of an artistic and monumental statue, the work of the sculptor Peratoner of the Ortisei School (Bolzano).  Donated by a group of devotees from Austria and Bavaria (Germany). 

• 2002 – celebration of the bicentenary for the finding of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena.  Pilgrimage to Priscilla’s catacombs in Rome –promoted by the Rector of the Sanctuary with the participation of the International Centers and of the citizens of Mugnano.

• February 27-29, 2002 – recognition of the Sacred Relics of Saint Philomena on the occasion of the bicentenary of the finding on May 25, 1802, in Priscilla’s catacombs.  This acknowledgement was carried out, with maximum discretion and scientific scrupulousness in the presence of a board of studies delegated by His Excellency, Archbishop Benjamin Depalma, Bishop of Nola and the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi. 

• 2003 – Permanent appointment of Marie Burns of Glasgow, Scotland UK as Director of the Universal Archconfraternity of St Philomena, by Monsignor Braschi, Rector.

• 2003 – visit of the Rector Giovanni Braschi to the house of the Ven. Pauline Jaricot in Lorette and to her tomb in the Church of Saint-Nizier in Lyon. On this occasion he also visited the Sanctuary of Ars.

• 2003 – launching a comprehensive new website by webmaster, Richard Donley Fox.

• August 9, 2003 – Conference of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi on television (Rai 1, program Mattina Uno) on the subject “The miracles of Saint Philomena”.  

• February 2004 – official visit of the Rector Monsignor Giovanni Braschi to the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena center in the Ivory Coast. 

• May 2004 – visit of the Rector Monsignor Giovanni Braschi to the Archconfraternity center of Scotland, with Mass and a meeting with devotees at Carvin Grotto in Motherwell, Scotland UK. 
• November 2004 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the various centers and churches of the United States.  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 Father Braschi in meeting with new webmaster, Richard Donley Fox, who introduced Fr. Braschi and Mrs. Burns to Arizona Governor, Janet Napolitano.

• January 2005 – restoration work on the tomb of Don Francis De Lucia.  Realization of a bas-relief in bronze, which was the work of Prof. Silvano Muollo.  The work was inaugurated during the feast of Saint Philomena’s Patronage.  Inauguration of new benches in the Sanctuary, donated by an anonymous devotee from the United States.

• February 2005 – beginning of the restoration works of the Sacred Altar of Saint Philomena.

• April 9, 2005 – Conference of Philomenian Studies promoted by Msgr. Braschi, Rector of the Sanctuary and coordinated by the Prof. Fr. Giovanni Ariano.  Held in the Basilica of St. Sylvester in Rome near Priscilla’s catacombs.  Participation included various heads from the International Philomenian Centers and well-known scholars.  Discussed the “Philomena Question” in knowledgeable, lucid, and exhaustive detail.  Conference presenter and webmaster Richard Donley Fox 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 UK) who was due to attend but died just before, his hand painted banners exquisitely made where presented to the Sanctuary of St Philomena and Archconfraternity Centres of Aruba, Ivory Coast, Australia and USA to commemorate the occasion.

• May 2005 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to various centers and churches of England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Participation of the Rector in a meeting and solemn Mass in the Sanctuary of Knock, Ireland.
• August 10, 2005 – celebration for the bicentenary of the transferral of the Body of Saint Philomena from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale.  Display and procession of the Sacred Body of the Saint.  The unveiling of a shell with the effigy of Saint Philomena (high relief in bronze realized by the artist Prof. Silvano Muollo) in remembrance of the bicentenary.
• March 10, 2007 – second official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the Philomenian Center of Budapest, Hungary.

• June 2008 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the Philomenian center at the in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Also to commemorate the death of Fr James Swenson R.I.P., a great benefactor of the Sanctuary, who donated the elevator, at the Church of St. Bridget’s in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

• July 4, 2008 – centenary of the coronation of Our Lady of Grace with solemn celebration in Umberto I square, Mugnano del Cardinale.

• September 25, 2008 – 25th Rectorate Anniversary for Mons. Giovanni Braschi at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena.

• February 2009 – official visit of the Rector Mons. Giovanni Braschi to the various centers and churches of the United States.  The journey was organized 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, USA.  

• January 2011 – Sister Bertilla’s death in Mugnano.  A very special tribute must be paid to our late Sister Bertilla.  Sister Bertilla, originally known as Maria Giuseppina Ecclesiastico, was sent to Mugnano del Cardinale on August 5, 1986 by H. E. Mons. Joseph Costanzo, Bishop of Nola.  With admirable dedication for nearly a quarter of a century, she carried out her mission in our Sanctuary, fully devoted to the divine cult, the glory of Saint Philomena and at the service of the very many faithful.

• April 2011 – A new website for the Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena is launched by webmaster Richard Donley Fox.

• September 23-25, 2011 — It’s Time to Meet Saint Philomena, Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena Conference held at Our Lady of Snows, Belleville, Illinois, USA, organized by Marie Burns Director of the Archconfraternity attending with Monsignor Giovanni Braschi.

• November 2011 — Monsignor Giovanni Braschi visits the United States, making several stops at St. Philomena centers and the It’s Time to Meet Saint Philomena Mass and Conference in Pennsylvania

• 2012 — Monsignor Braschi establishes National Centers of the Universal Archconfraternity for Australia, with Reverend Peter Austin as National Director; for the Caribbean, appointing Fr. Canuto E. F. Fuentebella, JCL, Director of the National Center for the Caribbean;  and for the United States, appointing Reverend Jason V. Kulczynski as National Director. 

• February 2012 — Founding of the Priest Chaplains of Saint Philomena in honour of the centennial observance of the raising of the Archconfraternity to universal or worldwide status by Pope Saint Pius X on May 21, 1912.

• February 26, 2021 – Monsignor Giovanni Braschi, President of the Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena and Rector of the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, death. 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.

• February 26, 2021 – Mrs. Marie Burns, Director of Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena takes over full responsibility for the Archconfraternity.

• May 10, 2023 – His Holiness Pope Francis blessed the miraculous statue of Saint Philomena in Rome, it is the first ever statue made of Saint Philomena. It was presented to him during a Papal Blessing in St Peters Square, he said “Saint Philomena was the protector of Saint John Marie Vianney, the Holy Curé of Ars; the Holy Curé of Ars is the protector of all priests. Let us priests also entrust ourselves to Saint Philomena in order to achieve holiness”.
• May 25, 2023 – Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Department of Evangelization celebrated 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 May 22, 2022, the previous year.
  
  
• May 23rd, 2024 – The branch office of the Archconfraternity, formerly located within the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, opens it’s 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 in its mission to spread devotion to Saint 

Philomena and support her Sanctuary.

Due to rapid growth of centres in Europe and other territories 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. 

• June 20th, 2024 – 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 obtain a signed letter recognizing the Archconfraternity headquartered in Glasgow, authorizing it, and extending the legacy archconfraternities privileges to us. 

• June 21st, 2024 – 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. 

• July 24th   2024 – 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….”

• October 2nd   2024 – 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. 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.