The Novena is a powerful means to obtain graces and heavenly favours. The devotees can recite the 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 at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale. Many devotees living abroad, not being able to visit our Sanctuary, send us their Prayer Petitions which we, with every care, lay down at the Altar of our young Martyr, the great Saint Philomena.
Novena in honour of Saint Philomena V.M. written by Don Francis De Lucia. This has to be devoutly recited to prepare for her Feast and to obtain the desired graces.
Supplication
Purest Young Virgin, most faithful disciple of the Gospel and very powerful Martyr of Jesus Christ, You, who were full of grace and purity, enriched with faith and power in a faithless and corrupted world, and especially in Rome, where the throne of idolatry, tyranny, and every infernal superstition, and the cradle of all the most deforming vices could be found, this idolatrous city was nothing else but a horrible Babylon of prostitution; and you in the center of the capital of the pagan and corrupted world, managed to keep yourself strong in the faith, and pure for your heavenly Spouse until the last breath of your life was sacrificed for the many atrocious martyrdoms; we pray to you for all of your highest merits to implore for us from the throne of the merciful heavenly Father the gift of perseverance of faith, and purity of mind and body, and to let us die with the grace of Jesus Christ. So be it.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Creed.
Supplication
Very powerful Martyr, and most faithful Virgin of Jesus Christ, in order to preserve intact and immaculate the treasure of purity and faith for our God accepted, to be drowned in deep waters with Anchor tied around your neck till suffocated, you were freed by heavenly Spouse: we humbly ask your intercession, so that in times of deep suffering, sorrow, and anxiety, that continuously surround us, we be strong, and freed from the guilt of our faults, freed from the death of our souls, and avoid being drowned in the waters of temptations. So be it.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Gory Be and Creed.
Supplication
Beloved Bride, and resolute Martyr of Jesus Christ, You that in order to remain permanently virgin and strong in the faith, accepted to be exposed to the eyes of many filthy and wicked pagans in the idolatrous Rome, and in order to defend the virginity and doctrine of the Gospel renounced the delights of the flesh, the pleasures and the pomp of the world, the life of your own perfectly pure body, and exposed yourself to the flogging of leather and metal rings, and so under deluge of cruel lashings you were covered in sores and blood, and became very similar to your divine Loved one; implore for us miserable sinners, the necessary strength to live far from the stain of sins, and to die constant in the faith of the Roman Church, like You, no matter the pain, dishonour and even death itself. So be it.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Creed.
Supplication
Zealous warrior for virginity and faith of Jesus Christ, for the unconquerable and cheerful firmness that you showed by exposing your virginal body three times in Rome to hold fast to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and true to your purity, you accepted to be pierced by sharp and cruel arrows in this way you gained many palms and decorations as many as the mortal wounds that you bore for your Heavenly Spouse: grant us fragile observers of the divine law the strength necessary for our eternal wellbeing, so that with holy patience we tolerate all the suffering and grief of this life, and all the infernal arrows and darts fired against our souls by the temptations of the devil.
Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be and Creed
Final Prayer
Illustrious and Glorious Martyr and Bride of Christ your Heavenly Beloved was not satisfied with the atrocious motorisation that you had to endure so he did not allow death to extinguish your precious life in order that you could continue your sufferings and bitter fight amidst wounds, blood and pain and so by keeping you alive you were ready for fierce attacks and terrifying provocations to grant you more immortal victories, palms, triumphs and wreaths. In this way He made you a more admirable bride before the angels in the Kingdom of his Glory and more distinguished among crowned and triumphant martyrs. For this Heavenly Council you were put in chain and were dragged in front of the tyrants of Rome to be tempted yet again against purity and faith; your inhuman enemies in desperation to bring your pure and faithful heart under submission, condemned you to be beheaded and so, covered in garlands and graces you were taken glorious and triumphant into the reign of your Spouse.
In this Holy Novena we implore you to gaze on us from the greatness of your heart, console us with a sign that you have accepted our humble homage which we have offered you, and grant us the graces for which we ask, only if they will help us in our eternal life, and any other graces which from Heaven you think we may need to free our souls from eternal death even though we deserve it for all our grave sins. We hope to be consoled by your celestial charity. We bless with profound devotion the holy trinity who on this earth preceded you with blessings of purity, faith, perseverance and of many others that made your life so holy on earth and glorious in heaven where you were taken victorious and triumphant against atrocious enemies and amongst many trials, helping you with his gifts we thank the Immaculate Virgin Mother of Jesus Christ, Queen and Comfort of Martyrs who with her maternal and powerful assistance allowed you to overcome all your mortal torments.
This we hope with the veneration of your merits and the joyful remembrance of your triumphs
Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Creed.
Novena in Honour of Saint Philomena virgin and Martyr composed by Saint Giovanni Maria Vianney Cure of Ars.
PRAYER
(to be recited every day of the novena)
Glorious Virgin and Martyr greatly loved by God, Saint Philomena, I rejoice with you for the power that God has given you for the glory of His name, for the building of His church and to honour the merits of your life and your death. I delight in seeing you so pure, so generous, so faithful to Jesus Christ and to his Gospel, so magnificently rewarded in heaven and on earth, drawn by your example to practise virtue, full of hope because of all the rewards conceded to your merits I propose to imitate you by avoiding sin and obeying God completely. Help me o Great Saint by your powerful intercession. Grant me above all an inviolable purity for ever, an indomitable spirit against all evil, the generosity to deny nothing to deny no sacrifice to God and a love as strong as death for the faith of Jesus Christ for the holy Roman Catholic Church and for the Pope, the Father of all the faithful, Shepherd of shepherds and of sheep, vicar of Jesus Christ throughout the world, to these graces that I now ask for with all the ardour of my soul O Saint Philomena, I add even more graces, which I am confident that through your powerful intersession will be granted me.
(State with simplicity, trust and humility that graces that you desire from the Saint)
No, the good God for whom you shed your blood and gave your life, the good God who is so lavish with you, and through you of his gifts and favours the good God who loved me so much as to die for me, and who gives himself to me through the Eucharist, no, he will not say no to your prayers to my wishes, he surely feels the need to help us. I fervently hope so; I put all my trust in him and in you.
Amen.
FIRST DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena was a virgin. A virgin in this world… a virgin despite persecution… a virgin until death. What an example! What is the reason of my confusion? What is the remedy?
- Humiliate yourself often for what has caused you shame, pondering on her virginal purity.
- Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures.
SECOND DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena was and remained a virgin… because she repressed the corrupt desired of the flesh…, she retained the modesty of Jesus Christ she avoided the deceiving world and dangerous occasions. Do you imitate here in all these ways? What are the causes of your temptations…of your weaknesses… of your unease…of your downfall? Try to eliminate them.
- Shun what has harmed you; practice what you have neglected to do in regards to chastity.
THIRD DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena maintained and increased her love for virginity with prayer, a great source of spiritual life; with the sacraments; the soul is washed with the blood of Christ, and is nourished with his sacred body, divine origin of Christian virginity considering that her members were the members of Jesus Christ and her body was the temple of the holy spirit. Have you not all these means also? What use do you make of them?
- Double the fervour of your prayers, every now and them repeat to yourself: my members are those of Jesus Christ the temple of the Holy Spirit
- (Holy mass etc.. as first day)
FOURTH DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena was a martyr… that she suffered… she suffered a lot… suffered until death, and she showed in these moments of torment and invincible patience…are suffering and patience inseparably connected in you? Do you rarely suffer…suffer very little…never enough to die because of it…where does this weariness come from? Would you not like to make some changes?... in which way would you obtain this?
- Accept with patience the few discomforts, obstacles and difficulties that it pleases the lord to send you today.
- Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures.
FIFTH DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena was a martyr for Jesus Christ …they wanted for take her faith away…they wanted her to transgress her Baptismal vows…induce her to follow the examples of the idolaters and apostate. What does the devil, the world, the flesh and your heart want from you if not the same unfaithfulness? They are offensive to God… is it not vain fear that makes you betray your faith, stops you from fulfilling your duties? My God what disgraceful laxity! Find the necessary courage…
- Gain the respect of a fellow human being, say to yourself occasionally it is better to be pleasing to God rather than to a Man.
- Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures.
SIXTH DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena when she died for Jesus Christ followed this rule made by our Saviour: “if you do not love me more that your father and your mother, even more than you love yourself then you cannot be my disciple.” She did not hesitate… she sacrificed everything, even though blood and nature made themselves heard. In less difficult situations are we worthy of Jesus Christ? If at times when we have to choose between God and Man, Between Grace and Nature, who do we choose? Oh! Let us in the future respect our dignity as children of God and disciples of Jesus Christ.
- Let us try today to please only god or other beings, always and solely for God. Keep far from confused affections.
- Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures.
SEVENTH DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena when she died for Jesus Christ had to tolerate the mockery, the abuse of her persecutors, of her executioners and most of the spectators of her torture. She was very generous very constant, very cheerful when publicly declaring her faith… if the world offered you a similar chalice to drink would you have enough courage to devour the jestings the scorn the most unjust persecutions,.. can he who is honoured by God be dishonoured? Have no fear...follow your path…it will end with the gaining of eternal glory.
- Do not allow anger into your heart, if something is said abruptly, coarsely, sharply, insultingly etc…
- Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures.
EIGHTH DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena by dying for love of Jesus Christ entered eternal life full of joy “yes I am certain” she would say form the bottom of her heart “ that the supreme Judge will give me in exchange for the worldly good that I have sacrificed to his love, the Crown of justice that he had promised me.” She dies…and here she is in the tabernacle of God with the Saints to follow the Lamb… are these the thoughts that I try to have when I have to make a sacrifice? What impression do they make on my soul? To which side do the scales tilt? Ah! The Saints to obtain all would say: let us leave all what will I say?
- Let us decide on a voluntary sacrifice for today…Let us with pleasure fulfil all our duties etc…
- Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures.
NINTH DAY
- Consider that Saint Philomena in this unworthy world sacrificed all for Jesus Christ, receiving in return in this world directly from him a hundred fold of what she had renounced to. What power! What Glory! How much grandeur humiliated at her feet, how many pilgrims at all her sanctuaries. How many festivities in her honour. What tributes of veneration are offered to her, what agitated zeal to collect her relics. In this way God fulfilled his promises. Eh! If only we kept our promises to him with such faithfulness! But by taking away his Glory do we not deprive ourselves of many favours and merits in this world and in the next? So courage…be loyal…so that God will be loyal with you.
- Today perform and act of mercy in honour of the Saint. Prepare yourself with a good confession to receive Our Lord Jesus Christ worthily.
- Assist at Holy Mass in her honour and pray to one of her statues or pictures.
PRAYER
Oh God among the miracles of your power you also donated to the weaker sex the victory of martyrdom help us who celebrate the birth of the blessed Philomena your virgin and martyr with her examples to you we come.
Through Christ Our Lord
Amen
Litany to Saint Philomena composed by Saint Giovanni Maria Vianney Cure of Ars
Lord Have Mercy
Christ Have Mercy
Lord Have Mercy
Christ Have Mercy
Christ Have Mercy
Christ Hear us
Christ Grant us our prayer
Christ Grant us our prayer
God Heavenly Father Have Mercy on us
Son redeemer of that world Have Mercy on us
God Holy Spirit Have Mercy on us
Holy Trinity in one God Have Mercy on us
Holy Mary Queen of Virgins Pray for us
Saint Philomena covered in graces from the day of your birth Pray for us
Saint Philomena faithful imitator of Mary Pray for us
Saint Philomena model of virginity Pray for us
Saint Philomena Sanctuary of Perfect Humility Pray for us
Saint Philomena aflame with zeal for the Gory of God Pray for us
Saint Philomena victim of love for Jesus Pray for us
Saint Philomena example of strength and perseverance Pray for us
Saint Philomena sublime example of chastity Pray for us
Saint Philomena reflection of the most heroic virtues Pray for us
Saint Philomena steadfast and fearless in facing torments Pray for us
Saint Philomena pierced by a shower of arrows Pray for us
Saint Philomena consoled by the mother of God when you were chained Pray for us
Saint Philomena miraculously cured when in prison Pray for us
Saint Philomena comforted by the angels during moments of torment Pray for us
St. Philomena you who chose suffering and death in place of the glories of the throne Pray for us
Saint Philomena you who converted those that witnessed your martyrdom Pray for us
Saint Philomena you who soothed the fury of your tormentors Pray for us
Saint Philomena protector of the innocents Pray for us
Saint Philomena patron of the young Pray for us
Saint Philomena haven of the unfortunate Pray for us
Saint Philomena health of the sick and of the weak Pray for us
Saint Philomena new light of the militant church Pray for us
Saint Philomena you who confuse the godless of this world Pray for us
Saint Philomena you who stimulates faith and courage Pray for us
Saint Philomena you whose name is glorified in Heaven and causes fear in hell Pray for us
Saint Philomena you who have become renowned for the most amazing miracles Pray for us
Saint Philomena full of the power of God Pray for us
Saint Philomena you who reign in glory Pray for us
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world Forgive us O Lord
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world Forgive us O Lord
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world Forgive us O Lord
Pray for us great Saint Philomena
Until we are worthy of the promises of Christ
Let us pray, Lord through the intercession of Saint Philomena virgin and martyr, she who has always delighted your gaze for her purity and the practice of all virtues, forgive our sins and grant us the graces of which we necessitate ( state the graces that you desire) through Christ Our Lord
Amen
Supplication to Saint Philomena
Prostrate at your feet oh glorious Saint I humbly come to offer you my fervent supplication,
A prayer from my heart.
Receive it with benevolence and grant me my request.
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
My heart is troubled it feels great pain,
I am overburdened with sorrow,
I am in need of mercy. Help me,
Grant me my request-
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
Weary, without consolation,
Devoid of hope, alone,
Crushed by tribulation,
I trust in you to grant me my prayer.
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
I am aware that the cause of many of my misfortunes
were my grave sins;
obtain pardon for me I beseech You,
inspire me with love for Jesus.
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
Saint Philomena protect my home, guard my family,
Gaze upon your devotees with your gentle smile,
Dry everyone’s tears, instil in my heart a ray of hope,
Give everyone peace, health and providence.
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
Notice just how much help I need, do not abandon me.
You who are powerful in God, drive sorrow and desolation far from me.
Restore serenity to my soul, save me from danger and ruin.
Bless my home, my family, your devotees and grant me my request.(Make your request)
O gracious Saint do not abandon me and pray for me.
Glory be, etc.(3 times)
Through the virtue of your martyrdom may God have pity on us .
Glory be, etc. (3 times)
Msgr. Michele Camerlengo
Bishop of Nola
O Philomena!
Favourite daughter of the Queen of the heavens,
Your mother delights
In your beauty;
she glories in your graceful virtue
and she rejoices for the flowers and offerings
made to you by all nations.
O Philomena!
The nations applaud you
for the continuous benefits received,
and your name has rekindled
in many souls the sweetest hope.
Amiable Saint,
manifest your power
and come to our aid.
Help us o generous Virgin and fearless Martyr
To meditate the mysteries of the Faith
And to remain like you, faithful to Jesus Christ until death.
Amen.
Ven. Pauline Marie Jaricot
Prayer for the Bicentenary of the translation of the sacred body
Of Saint Philomena from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale (1805- 2005)
O glorious Saint Philomena
Courageous martyr of Christ,
chaste flower of virtue and grace,
accept the humble prayer of all
who invoke your protection
and your potent intercession
through the heart of the Most High.
Wonderful model of hope and strength,
faithful follower of the Gospel
grant us that through the shedding of your blood
for the love of Jesus
the faith of our community grows and improves
with peace and tranquillity reigning in the families devoted to you.
Docile and humble servant of the Lord,
help us to thank God every day
for his kindness
as an affectionate and merciful Father.
May your unshakeable perseverance
help us with the trials of life,
in times of sorrow, in grief
and when we are tempted to stray from
the Holy Spirit’s loving protection.
You who found strength and comfort
in the words of the divine Master
and in the Eucharist, his body,
help us to be hungry for the Bread of heaven
and for every word spoken by God.
You who although innocent have forgiven those
Who caused you suffering
And unspeakable pain, make us merciful
to those who cause us distress and suffering,
help us to retain the beatitude of gentleness
and good-will in our hearts.
Protect our children and our young.
Comfort the oppressed and the sick.
With the light of your martyrdom inspire
The apostles of the Gospel and the witnesses of charity.
Rekindle the faith of those who hesitate in the path of rectitude.
Intercede for peace and justice between peoples.
For those who are torn by doubt grant them the light of truth.
And let the divine grace shine upon us all.
Amen
Archbishop Msgr. Beniamino Depalma
Bishop of Nola
Prayer composed for the Bicentenary of the translation of the sacred body of
Saint Filomena from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale (1805-2005)
Philomena, witness to the light of Christ
and to the Mystery of the greatness of God.
I thank God the Father for bringing you into existence.
I thank Jesus, Son of God,
who gave you the honor of shedding
your blood for Him, as He shed His for us.
I thank the Holy Spirit
Who for many centuries
kept hidden from us the might of your faith,
abandoning your sacred body
in the cold darkness of the catacombs of Priscilla.
I thank God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
for making you a miracle worker
performing all over the world many miraculous
healings through your intercession,
and also for making you into a loving sister
for many saints for the blessed and for all good people
who have offered their lives for the spiritual and physical needs
of their brothers and sisters.
I thank God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
for allowing doubts about your existence and saintliness
even by ministers of the church,
this strengthens my belief that God is truly a Father,
when I feel his hand that consoles me or that brings me suffering.
Stay at my side I beg you while I pray to
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
to help the pope the bishops and the priests
to be diligent witnesses to the word of God,
that they take the many problems of the modern world and use them
for the progress of mankind.
Stay at my side I beg you while I pray to
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
that heads of state and peoples, husbands and wives, parents and children,
rich and poor, researchers and operators
be like God who caresses but also causes pain
so that all men may strive for their own happiness and that of their brothers.
Stay at my side I beg you while I pray to.
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
save me from physical and spiritual suffering which frightens me,
if this is not possible, help me to face them
with the same strength and serenity that you showed
in the hour of your martyrdom,
helped like you by the maternal presence
of Mary queen of martyrs.
Amen
Msgr. Giovanni Braschi
Prayer for a Novena to Saint Philomena
Faithful Virgin and distinguished Martyr
Saint Philomena
I rejoice in your glory and
I am exultant with joy
When I see you glorifying God,
Particularly with miracles
in favour of the poor
and of those with simple hearts.
I pray that His Divine Majesty designates
your name to more and more people,
that he reveals your power
and increases your servants.
O dear and good Saint Philomena
here I am at your feet
full of misery
but still full of hope,
I invoke your charity,
bless me and help me in my moment of need,
and do not abandon me ever!
O great and lovable Saint,
protect me from the enemies of salvation
and always pray to our Lord Jesus
that he grant me the grace
to serve him in this world
and then to belong to him for eternity.
Amen
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be
Verse in honour of Saint Philomena
Laudate Dominum in sanctis ejus
I beheld faces enflamed with wrath,
When among devout hearts I heard
The name of Saint Philomena echoing all around.
And, asked the reason for such rancour,
Heard shouting like madmen: why so little
Worship for the one true God!
Why – inflamed, they thundered more confused than before
Why give continuously worship to new Saints
And not to the Lord of the universe?
This is an absurd and depraved cult!
If it has been created in barbaric times,
Centuries of light will destroy it!
Some applauded that bitter lamentations
Of the vexed and by applauding believed
That they had produced a sublime thought.
I did not comprehend the magnificent
Argument the behaviour of that acute wisdom,
And I started to meditate, but I still did not understand
They seem mute to the light of God.
But they think it a fault of something shameful,
A love that has grown in hearts that have lived in Holiness,
I find it difficult to understand why it is an uncivilised error
To consider Holy bones of the Martyrs that
Have left us refulgent virtue.
I find it difficult to understand what insult to the church is caused, when the church still speaks
About distinguished deceased, encourages us to imitate their virtue
And exhorts us to think that they live as powerful friends of God,
And to instil the practice of invoking protection
I believe in you my Holy Religion
When you show me how to bow my head in front of the Saints,
But if you remain silent these same things reason would teach me.
This is my thought! Therefore I entrust myself completely
To every departed who has been honoured on the altar
Thought there are people who criticise and mock me.
And I believe in every tomb
Reveals sure signs of the existence of the remains of martyrs
Then, even if historical information
Infill the need of posterity is lacking, to me is enough just
The name of a stranger provided that he has been taken up into Heaven.
Only your dear name O Philomena
About your earthly existence remains
In spite of this your celestial honours are opposed in vain,
In your stead speaks your tomb and of great grace
Is full the phial of the blood that you shed
For God in some remote arena.
Faith and Charity were rekindled in those
To whom the heavens revealed
Your mortal remains and your venerable cult.
Where and when did your faith and love
Cease to be tender palpitations
That induce the removal of evil sentiment.
Ah no! Those that humbly worship a Saint
Are not inclined to vile deeds of thoughts
When remembering the sublime virtues. Oh what gratitude
Is felt for that God who raised
Mortals to such great dignity.
Your tomb O Philomena reveals today
The great suffering endured
Fearlessly to defend the truth,
We cannot believe that you do not consider
The prayers of those who prostrate at your feet,
Ask that their heart be likened to yours
I am not surprised that some chosen souls (Sister Maria Luisa di Gesú)
Seemed to hear you speak in their holy visions
And in this way learned the cause of your death
And if you deigned to accept their wishes
Obtaining from God what they had earned through their faith
That they be counted with the most sublime spirit
Unhappy is the evil eye that sees
In our honest and open cult
Deceit and stupidity thinking himself to be wise and prudent
O blessed spirits of Saint Philomena help us remain firm
In our love for you, in our blessing you ,even in spite of derision
From cold and arrogant people
Inspire in us the desire of paradise
Conquer and convert your enemies
Ask god to give us the grace to be guided
By the light of love and not by the blinder of anger.
Silvio Pellico
Psalm sung by the faithful before
The sacred body of the Saint and Martyr.
Innocent Virgin
Who gave your blood and life for the faith,
help those who pray for your favour.
Your rubicund blood,
Your arrows
Your martyrdom
the candor of your sighs
cry out incessantly to heaven.
Grant us your strength
Your faith and charity
Your hope and purity
From your faithful spouse.
If you protect us
We shall defeat all our enemies,
With you we shall be joyful and happy
And delight in God in Heaven.
Pray for us, Saint Philomena.
So that we are deserving of Christ’s promises.
Let us pray: God almighty and misericordious, who has given to Saint Philomnea an unconquerable constancy among the torments of martyrdom, grant us serenity in the trials of life and save us from the snares of evil! Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The lyrics of this “ Canto popolare” are reported on page 318 of the Relazione Istorica
(Historic Relation) of De Lucia ( IV edition-1831)
Those who invoke you, o Philomena
Those who invoke you Oh Philomena
Are young women consecrated to you,
Turn your benevolent gaze on them immaculate
preserve them and they shall build
your temple in their heart.
All suffering and anguish
Is the path of life..
From deceit and anguish
Preserve our souls
And keep our hearts
Free from vice
Your beautiful soul
resembles an angel.
You are the friendly star of heaven
that guides us in perils of life.
Sweet victim of love,
set our hearts on fire!!
Anonymous 800
Oh! Philomena we invoke you!
Oh! Philomena we invoke you!
From the perils of life, protect us
Oh Philomena Oh Philomena
Protect us protect us
In the dark of the night protect us
In times of suffering
The enemy makes us tremble
With his enticing gaze
Oh Philomena Oh Philomena
Protect us protect us
Oh Philomena we invoke you!
Guide us on the righteous path
Oh Philomena Oh Philomena
Protect us, protect us
Lead us with your sweet smile
Through this valley of tears
Contemplating your Holy Face
We will reach our Lord and God
Oh Philomena Protect us
Oh Philomena protect us
Oh Philomena we invoke you
From the evil of the world save us
Oh Philomena oh Philomena
Save us save us
Save us from the chains of sins
That oppresses us on this earth
Sustain us in our many sufferings
Along the path of virtue
Oh Philomena Oh Philomena
Protect us protect us.
Anonimo dell’800.
Hymn to Saint Philomena
Saint Philomena,
Beautiful and pure like a flower,
Immaculate Lily,
Remain with us,
Never leave us,
Guide us to the reign of God.
Saint Philomena,
Full of candor
You bore every suffering
To marry Christ,
But your smile
Made Satan flee
And in the eternal fire he was submerged.
Faith, love,
Many are your virtues,
Purity, candor,
And you found the reign of God.
Raffaele Catalano
Psalm to Saint Philomena
Young woman, icon of purity,
Help us to testify love.
Oh, Saint Philomena, pray for us from heaven.
Oh, Saint Philomena, pray for us from heaven.
Holy Saint, resplendent light,
Guide us in our earthly life,
Take by hand those lost souls
Give them comfort and great relief.
Young woman……
Independent angel, guardian of love,
Faithful you were to Christ our Lord.
You offer hope to confused young women,
On how to receive in their hearts the beloved Jesus.
Young woman……
Virgin and Martyr Saint Philomena,
God has welcomed you among the rank of Angels;
Protect us needy and afflicted,
Bring us nearer to Christ whom you have always loved.
Young woman…..
Antonio Ercolino
A Santa Filomena
Fui verginella al mondo, ed altro amore
Io non conobbi, che l’amor di Dio
Lo confessai di morte infra l’orrore.
Onde Ei dà gloria in terra al nome mio
Me dispensiera Ei fe’ d’ogni favore
E generoso i suoi tesor m’aprio
Né fia che pera mai, né che si dolga
Alma che in Dio confidi, e a me si volga.
V. Guerrieri
Ottava acrostica commissionata nel 1843
dai devoti sagrestani della città di Fermo.
O Saint Philomena
I was young and virginal to the world,
No other love I than the love of God knew
I confessed it when dying among the torments.
He made me a miracle worker
And with generosity he bestowed on me his favours
Never was my help invoked in vain through God’s Grace all asked was granted.
V. Guerrieri
O Philomena
O Philomena, dwell in my heart, my mind, my thoughts, my life.
Help me to be pure like you, guide me closer to Christ.
O Philomena, pray for the souls in purgatory,
please help your lost children with whatever they may need.
O Philomena, thank you for being in my life,
for guiding me, and helping me. Amen.
Benjamin Escobar, Age 13, San Antonio, Texas USA
Moved to write this after an encounter with the Saint during a dream
June 2011
Mass in Honour of Saint Philomena
Fig 36 – From the precious missal donated to our Sanctuary by S.S. Pope Leo XIII
