St Philomena
St. Philomena is a young virgin martyr whose remains were found in a Roman catacomb in 1802. Little is historically known about her life, and in 1961 the Church removed her feast from the Roman calendar, although devotion to her continues. At Find A Prayer, we gather these prayers to give you reverent words when seeking her intercession.
The archaeological discovery occurred in May 1802 within the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome. Excavators opened a tomb closed by a tile. The tile bore a Latin inscription commonly read as "Pax tecum Filumena," translating to "Peace be with you, Philomena." Inside the tomb, examiners found the physical remains of a young person.
Her relics were subsequently transferred to Mugnano del Cardinale in Italy, where a shrine stands today. During the nineteenth century, detailed accounts describing her background and martyrdom circulated through private reports. The Catholic Church has not established these private accounts as historical fact.
St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, had a well-known devotion to her. In 1961, her feast day of August 11 was removed from the General Roman Calendar during a review of saints whose historical basis was uncertain. This liturgical decision did not declare that she never lived, nor did it forbid individuals or shrines from asking for her prayers.
Catholics ask saints to pray for them, and the prayer is offered to God. Whether you are bringing a difficult personal petition, praying for a young family member, or seeking patience during trial, these prayers ask for her prayers alongside yours.
A Short Prayer to St. Philomena
Lord God, You give strength to the gentle and crown the faithful in Your presence. We ask St. Philomena to join her prayers to ours today as we bring our burdens before Your throne. Help us to keep our hearts clean, to remain patient in times of difficulty, and to place our complete trust in Your mercy. Strengthen our daily steps and guide our thoughts toward Your heavenly kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Full Prayer for St. Philomena's Intercession
Heavenly Father, You alone are the source of all holiness and courage. We come before You in humility, seeking the peace that surpasses human understanding. We remember the witness of the early martyrs whose remains rested in the Roman catacombs, bearing witness to Christ through simplicity and endurance. We ask St. Philomena to pray with us and for us, lifting our intentions to Your divine majesty. Look upon our frailties and calm our troubled spirits. When our daily obligations weigh heavily upon our minds, grant us the grace to respond with charity and calm fortitude. Teach us to prize purity of intention above public praise, and grant that our actions may reflect the light of the Gospel in every circumstance. We ask that her intercession may encourage our resolve to follow Your commandments without hesitation or complaint. Sustain our parish communities, our households, and all who live in distress. May we walk through this life with eyes fixed upon Your promises, confident in Your endless compassion. We offer this prayer in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
A Prayer to St. Philomena for a Young Person
Gracious God, You watch over the young in every generation and call them to walk in Your truth. We lift up the youth in our families and communities to Your loving care, asking St. Philomena to pray for their spiritual protection and steady growth. Shield their minds from confusion, harmful pressures, and the temptations of a distracted world. Grant them wise companions, discerning mentors, and hearts that delight in what is pure, honorable, and just. May they find in the early Christian witnesses an example of steadfast devotion and courage. Give them the grace to stand firm when their faith is tested, and remind them that their true worth is found in Your unconditional love. Keep them safe within Your holy Church now and through all the years ahead. We pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
A Prayer to St. Philomena in a Hard Petition
Merciful Lord, You know the private worries that keep our spirits awake and the heavy petitions we carry in silence. We turn to You in our need, mindful that You hear every sincere cry of the human heart. We ask St. Philomena to bring our pressing intention before Your throne, uniting her prayers with our own humble supplication. Grant us the peace to accept whatever Your providence ordains, knowing that Your wisdom exceeds our limited vision. When fear tries to overwhelm our hope, steady our hearts with the assurance of Your presence. Remove bitterness, despair, and impatience from our minds, replacing them with a quiet confidence in Your goodness. Whether You grant our request or call us to bear this cross with dignity, let Your grace be sufficient for us each day. We surrender our anxiety into Your hands through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for Faithfulness in Trial
Almighty God, You sustained the early martyrs through harsh persecutions, giving them strength to remain faithful even unto death. We ask St. Philomena to pray for us as we encounter our own struggles, misunderstandings, and moments of spiritual weakness. When our resolve wavers, remind us of the eternal crown promised to those who persevere in love. Deliver us from the temptation to compromise our integrity for immediate relief or social approval. Give us patience under contradiction, humility under correction, and perseverance when the path before us appears steep and lonely. May our lives be a steady, quiet witness to the truth of the Gospel, anchored in the hope of Your heavenly kingdom. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Spiritual Grace
Lord God of heaven and earth, we pause to give You thanks for the spiritual comfort, guidance, and peace You provide along our journey. We thank You for the communion of saints, whose prayers surround the Church on earth. In fellowship with St. Philomena and all who have run the race before us, we praise Your unfailing mercy. Thank You for sustaining our faith during past trials and for answering our needs according to Your holy will. Keep our souls mindful of the blessings we receive each day, both seen and unseen. We dedicate our hearts renewed in thanksgiving to the honor of Your holy name. Amen.
A One-Line Prayer to St. Philomena
St. Philomena, pray for us that our hearts may remain pure and steadfast in the love of Christ. Amen.
Scripture to pray
Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.— Revelation 2:10 (KJV)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.— Matthew 5:8 (KJV)
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?— Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
Frequently asked questions
Who is St. Philomena?
St. Philomena is an early Christian virgin martyr whose remains were discovered in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome in May 1802. The tile closing her tomb carried an inscription commonly read as "Pax tecum Filumena," meaning "Peace be with you, Philomena." Her bones were identified as those of a young person, and they were later transferred to a dedicated shrine in Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy. Beyond the archaeological findings, almost nothing is historically verified about her life on earth.
Is St. Philomena a real saint?
Little is historically known about her. The Church removed her feast from the General Roman Calendar in 1961 because the historical basis was uncertain, and it did not declare that she never lived. Individuals and shrines may continue to ask for her prayers.
Why did the Church remove St. Philomena from the calendar?
In 1961, the Church removed St. Philomena's feast from the General Roman Calendar during a liturgical review of saints whose historical records were uncertain. This decision did not declare that she never lived or that she was unworthy of veneration.
When is the feast of St. Philomena?
Her traditional feast day was August 11, before the 1961 calendar reform. It is no longer listed on the General Roman Calendar, though individuals and shrines may continue to ask for her prayers.
Can Catholics still pray to St. Philomena?
Yes. The Church removed her feast from the General Roman Calendar in 1961, but it did not declare that she never lived. Individuals and shrines may continue to ask for her prayers.
Who was devoted to St. Philomena?
St. John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, had a well-known devotion to her.
How do I ask a saint to pray for me?
Catholics ask a saint to pray for them in the same way they ask a Christian friend on earth to pray for their needs. All prayer is directed ultimately to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit. You can speak simply from the heart or recite a written prayer, asking the saint to present your intentions before God. We place our trust in God's wisdom, and ask for His peace.