St Philomena
Virgin Martyr
Feast Day formerly 10 August
According to tradition, St Philomena was an early Roman virgin and martyr. In 1802, a tomb was discovered in the catacomb of Pricilla in Rome, closed with three tiles on which was printed the inscription LUMENA/PAXTE/CUMFI. This was soon amended to PAX TECUM FILUMENA (‘Peace be with you, St Philomena’), and was recognised as the original meaning. Inside the tomb were the bones of an adolescent girl of about fifteen, together with a phial of blood. The presence of such a symbol indicated a martyr’s death in the early Christian period. Likewise, a palm symbol is often depicted in Christian art to signify martyrdom.
In 1805, the relics were given to the church of Mugnano where miracles and favours at her intercession were soon reported. The fame of St Philomena spread throughout Italy aided by a nun’s private revelations. Fictitious lives followed which helped the cult spread among the credulous.
However, two other factors worked decisively in the same direction. One was the constant praise given to St Philomena by John-Baptist Vianney, known as the Cure´ of Ars, notably for the cures that he himself achieved. The other was the sudden recovery at the shrine of St Philomena of Pauline Jaricot, foundress of the Missionary Association for the Propagation of the Faith.