St. Philomena (c. 291-304) is a unique figure in Catholic devotion, discovered in 1802 in the Roman catacombs of Priscilla. Though little is known of her historical life, her tomb’s inscriptions and symbols indicated she was a young virgin martyr.
After her relics were transferred to Mugnano, Italy, numerous miracles were attributed to her intercession, leading to her widespread veneration. Known as the “Wonder Worker,” she is particularly powerful in cases requiring miraculous intervention, and is especially beloved by youth seeking purity and courage in faith.
Historical Context
Saint: Philomena
Feast Day: August 11
Patronage: Children, Youth, Impossible Causes
Era: 3rd-4th Century
Saint Philomena Prayer 1
Saint 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 the 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 the joy of my heart I will bless God,
who is admirable in His saints.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Philomena Prayer 2
Glorious Martyr,
St. Philomena, whom God in His eternal power
has revealed to the world in these unhappy days
in order to revive the faith,
sustain the hope and enkindle the charity
of Christian souls,
behold me prostate at thy feet.
Deign, O Virgin, full of goodness and kindness,
to receive my humble prayers
and to obtain for me that purity
for which thou didst sacrifice
the most alluring pleasures of the world,
that strength of soul which made thee resist
the most terrible attacks
and that ardent love for our Lord Jesus Christ,
which the most frightful torments
could not extinguish in thee.
So, that wearing thy holy cord and imitating thee in this life,
I may one day be crowned with thee in Heaven.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Philomena Prayer 3
Saint Philomena,
Behold me prostrate before the throne
whereon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to set thee.
Full of confidence in thy protection,
I entreat thee to intercede for me with God.
Ah! from the heights of heaven
deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client.
Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering,
fortify me in temptation,
protect me in the dangers surrounding me,
obtain for me the graces necessary to me,
and in particular.
Above all, assist me at the hour of my death.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Philomena Prayer 4
O Glorious virgin and martyr,
Whose glory God has been pleased
to manifest by shining miracles!
we address ourselves to you with entire confidence.
Obtain for us, that, following your example,
we may generously combat all that opposes
the reign of Jesus Christ in our hearts,
that He may ornament them with thy virtues,
with that angelic purity
of which you are so perfect a model;
it order that, enkindled with a love for Jesus,
we may walk constantly in the way
He has pointed out to us,
and partake one day of your eternal felicity.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Philomena Prayer 5
O Lord,
To grant us the pardon of our sins
by the intercession of Saint Philomena,
virgin and martyr,
who was always pleasing in Thy sight
by her eminent chastity
and by the profession of every virtue.
Amen.
Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena,
behold me prostrate before the throne
whereupon it has pleased
the Most Holy Trinity to place thee.
Full of confidence in thy protection,
I entreat thee to intercede for me with God,
from the heights of Heaven
deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client!
Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering,
fortify me in temptation,
protect me in the dangers surrounding me,
obtain for me the graces necessary to me,
and in particular (Here specify your request).
Above all, assist me at the hour of my death.
Saint Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us.
Amen.
O God, Most Holy Trinity,
we thank Thee for the graces
Thou didst bestow upon the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and upon Thy handmaid Philomena,
through whose intercession we implore Thy Mercy.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Philomena Prayer 6
O Glorious Virgin and Martyr,
Beloved of God, Saint Philomena!
I rejoice with thee in the power
which God gave thee for the glory of His Name,
for the edification His Church,
and to reward the merits of thy life and death.
I rejoice to see thee so great, so pure,
so generous, so faithful to Jesus Christ,
and to His Gospel,
and so splendidly rewarded in Heaven,
and on earth.
Attracted by thy example
to the practice of solid virtue
full of hope at the sight of thy recompense
granted to thy merits.
I resolve to follow thee in avoiding all evil
and in fully obeying what God commands.
Help me, O great Saint by thy powerful intercession.
Obtain for me particularly,
a purity inviolable forever,
a strength of soul always invincible
in every kind of assault,
a generosity which denies no sacrifice to God,
and a love as strong as death
for the Faith of Jesus Christ,
for the Holy Roman Church
and for Our Holy Father,
the Father of all the Faithful,
the Shepherd of shepherds and of their flocks,
the Vicar of Jesus Christ over all the world.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Saint Philomena Prayer 7
God,
Who in Thy great might
didst raise up martyrs
even from among the weaker sex,
grant, we beseech Thee,
that we who celebrate the feast
of Thy blessed Virgin and Martyr, Philomena,
may be led by her example
and brought by her to thee:
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ Who,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
liveth and reigneth one God,
in perfect Trinity,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
