Philomena’s parents who were of Greek royalty lived during the 3^rd and 4^th centuries. They were childless and often sought their Greek gods for a child. Publius, a physician and good friend of Philomena’s parents advised them to convert to Christianity and seek baptism. In doing so they would conceive and become parents.

They did become Christians and God heard their prayers and they gave birth to a little girl on January 10^th that they named Lumena (light). On the day of her baptism, Lumena was named, Philomena, which is translated, Daughter of Light. Philomena was her parents great joy and she became a Greek princess.

When Philomena was about 13 years old, her parents went to Rome to seek an audience with the Emperor Diocletian who wanted to inflict war on the Island. Having seen Philomena’s beauty and having been impressed with her manners, Diocletian asked for her hand in marriage as a sort of peace treaty. Philomena would become the Empress of Rome, a distinguished honor.

Her parents accepted the offer, but because Philomena had vowed her virginity to God, she refused the marriage proposal.

In an attempt to get Philomena to marry the Emperor, her parents brought her to Diocletian, who tried to win her favor. But, she still refused his hand in marriage. As a result, Diocletian put her in jail and ordered her to be tortured for nearly 40 days. While in jail, on the 37^th day, she had a vision of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, who warned her about her fate, but promised heavenly glory and protection when she endured her own passion.

What is known about Philomena was dictated to Sr. Marie de Gesu who heard a voice speaking of the details of Philomena’s life.

During the 40 days of imprisonment, Philomena was tied to a post, flogged, and left to die in her jail cell. But an angel appeared from heaven and healed her wounds with a miraculous balm. So, the Emperor then ordered to have her drowned with an anchor tied to her neck in the Tiber River. That attempt to kill her was also unsuccessful – angels returned her back to dry land completely unharmed. This was all witnessed by nearly a hundred bystanders who later converted to Christianity after witnessing the miracle.

 Later, she was ordered to be killed by archers. The first volley of darts penetrated Philomena’s flesh and she was left for dead. Again miraculously healed, she was shot at a second time, but the arrows mysteriously traveled around her body. The third time the arrows returned upon the bowmen and killed them instead. Accused of witchcraft, Philomena was finally decapitated and died in Rome, Italy on August 10, 302 AD.

For fifteen centuries, Philomena was completely unknown except to God. On May 24, 1802, the remains of a teenage girl were discovered in the Catacombs of Saint Priscilla at the Via Salaria in Rome. An inscription containing the Latin words “pax tecum filumena” (transcribed as “peace be with you, Philomena”) were on the tomb. Also painted on the tomb were emblems of a lily and palm (to indicate virginity and martyrdom); an anchor; scourge; and three arrows pointing in opposite directions (one with a curved line, signifying fire). Combined with the inscription, these symbols were thought to have symbolized the life of Philomena and the different tortures she endured in testimony of her faith and love of Jesus Christ.

Fr. Francesco de Lucia was gifted with the remains of Philomena to take back to Our Lady of Grace Church in Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy, to hopefully revive the faith life of a dying parish. Upon Fr. Francesco’s arrival with the relics, the church bells of the town instantly peeled in celebration. From then on, Our Lady of Grace church became the Sanctuary of St. Philomena and ‘miracle upon miracle’ were attributed to this Wonder Working Saint.

St. Philomena is the only virgin, martyr to be canonized a Saint based solely on her miracles. She was officially canonized by Pope Gregory XVI after Venerable Pauline Jaricot was miraculously healed of a fatal heart ailment through Philomena’s intercession. But it would be St. John Marie Vianney who would make Philomena well known. He attributed the thousands of miracles in his church of Ars, France to Philomena’s powerful intercession. Philomena appeared to St. John Vianney several times.

Philomena’s principal feast day is August 11. She is the patron saint of children, youth, babies, infants, lost causes, sterility, and virgins.

Father Stephen Mondiek dedicated St. Philomena Montessori School in McCartyville. It opened on August 24, 2021.