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
Novena Prayer to St. Philomena
This can be recited for 9 successive days
O faithful virgin and glorious martyr, St Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowful, have pity on me. Thou knowest the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at thy feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat thy charity o great Saint. Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favourable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before you (here specify your petition). I am firmly convinced that through thy merits, through the scorn, the sufferings and the death thou didst endure, united to the merits of the Passion and Death of Jesus thy Spouse, I shall obtain what I ask of thee and in the joy of my heart I will bless God, who is admirable in His saints. Amen
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
Prayer for Special Intentions
Prostrate at your feet O great and glorious little Saint, I humbly come with my fervent desires the prayer of my heart; accept it benignly and grant me the graces which I request
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
My heart is in turmoil I feel the pain grief is crushing me, I am in need of grace, help me, grant me my request
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
Weary without comfort deprived of hope alone overburdened by affliction I trust in you to answer my prayer
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
I realise that the cause of my many misfortunes were my grave sins, obtain for me the pardon which I need, instil in me the love for Jesus
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
Gaze on my home O Saint, turn your eyes on my family, look with your sweet smile upon your devout followers, dry the tears of everyone, put in my heart a ray of hope, give everyone peace, health and providence.
Saint Philomena pray for me
Glory be to the Father etc.
See how many graces I need, do not abandon me, you who are all powerful in God, keep me from sorrow and affliction let my heart be peaceful, free me from danger and ruin. Bless my home my family your followers and grant me my desired grace. ( ask for the grace).
O lovely Saint do not abandon me and pray for me.
Glory be etc.
Through the virtue of your martyrdom may God have pity on us
Glory be etc. 3 times
Monsignor 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
Litany To Saint Philomena
(composed by the Cure of Ars)
Lord have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us, Christ graciously hear us
Lord have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Response: pray for us!
Saint Philomena
Saint Philomena, filled with the most abundant graces from your very birth
Saint Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary
Saint Philomena, model of Virginity
Saint Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility
Saint Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God
Saint Philomena, victim of the love of Jesus
Saint Philomena, example of strength and perseverance
Saint Philomena, invincible champion of chastity
Saint Philomena, mirror of the most heroic virtues
Saint Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments
Saint Philomena, scourged like your Divine Spouse
Saint Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows
Saint Philomena, consoled in chains, by the Mother of God
Saint Philomena, miraculously healed in prison
Saint Philomena, comforted by angels in your torments
Saint Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the splendours of a throne
Saint Philomena, who converted the witnesses of your martyrdom
Saint Philomena, who wore out the fury of your executioners
Saint Philomena, protectress of the innocent
Saint Philomena, patroness of youth
Saint Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate
Saint Philomena, health of the sick and the weak
Saint Philomena, new light of the church militant
Saint Philomena, who confounds the impiety of the world
Saint Philomena, who stimulates the faith and courage of the faithful
Saint Philomena, whose name is glorious in Heaven and feared in Hell
Saint Philomena, made illustrious by the most striking miracles
Saint Philomena, all powerful with God
Saint Philomena, who reigns in glory
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, Saint Philomena,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ
Let us pray
We implore Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, who was ever most pleasing to Thy eyes for her eminent purity and the practice of every virtue, pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need ( name any special grace you may require). Through Christ our Lord. Amen
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
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
