Help from Heaven (Answers to Prayer) Part Four
Saint Philomena princess of paradise.
Saint Philomena Virgin Martyr
from your throne of grace,
cast a look of pity
upon the human race.
Saint Philomena the wonder worker
please hear us when we pray,
and guide us through the challenges
that come to us today.
Please hear our prayers
and calm our fears,
and guide us through
this vale of tears.
Hear us when we cry out to you
in our time of need,
and your heavenly assistance
to us please do concede.
by Mary Ann Matulis
Novena to St Philomena the Wonder Worker
(composed by St. John Vianney)
.
O great St Philomena, glorious virgin and martyr, Wonder-Worker of our age, I return most fervent thanks to God for the miraculous gifts bestowed on thee, and beseech thee to impart to me a share in the graces and blessings of which thou hast been the channel to so many souls. Through the heroic fortitude with which thou didst confront the fury of tyrants and brave the frowns of the mighty rather than swerve from thy allegiance to the King of Heaven, obtain for me purity of body and soul, purity of thought and affection. Through thy patience under multiplied sufferings, obtain for me a submissive acceptance of all the afflictions it may please God to send me, and as thou didst miraculously escape unhurt from the waters of the Tiber, into which thou wert cast by order of Thy persecutor, so may I pass through the waters of tribulation without detriment to my soul.
In addition to these favours, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment, (state your petition)
O pure virgin and holy martyr, deign to cast a look of pity from Heaven on thy devoted servant, comfort me in affliction, assist me in danger, above all come to my aid in the hour of death. Watch over the interests of the Church of God, pray for its exultation and prosperity, the extension of the Faith, for the clergy, for the perseverance of the just, the conversion of sinners, and the relief of the souls in Purgatory, especially those dear to me.
O great Saint, whose triumph we celebrate on earth, intercede for me, that I may one day behold the crown of glory bestowed on thee in Heaven, and eternally bless Him Who so liberally rewards for all eternity the sufferings endured for His love during this short life. Amen. Oh St Philomena, virgin and martyr, pray for us so that through your powerful intercession we may obtain that purity of spirit and heart that leads to the perfect love of God. Amen.
Daily prayer to your guardian angel
Angel of God
My guardian dear
To Whom His love commits me here
Ever this day
Be at my side
To light and guard
To rule and guide. Amen.
The following poem was based on the revelations to Mother Luisa and also on the finding of the relics of Saint Philomena on May 24, 1802 and the miracles which followed.
Saint Philomena the Wonder Worker
The king and queen no baby had;
They longed to be a mum and dad;
To pagan gods they prayed each day;
But still no baby came their way.
Then good advice was given to them;
It proved to be a priceless gem;
Christians are what you should be;
Then a baby blessing;you shall see!
When this was done;
The grace was granted;
And with little Philomena;
They were enchanted!
When little Philomena
had reached twelve years;
Bad news filled up
their eyes with tears;
On their country
small and poor;
The emperor of Rome;
declared a war!
Let's go to Rome;
The King told wife and daughter;
To plead with the emperor;
to prevent this slaughter.
At the mighty
emperor's court;
They pleaded with him;
the war to abort.
The emperor
had a new idea;
He said there's nothing
more to fear.
Give me your daughter;
To be my wife;
And I promise her;
A wonderful life!
The offer took them by surprise;
A refusal would mean; their country's demise;
The king and queen were filled with gladness;
But Philomena was overcome by sadness.
To be a bride of Christ;
She'd already taken a vow;
No way would Philomena;
Let it be broken now.
The answer was a steadfast no;
The emperor now his force would show!
To the dungeon Philomena was deployed;
All manner of torture was employed;
It was all to no avail;
The emperor's methods were doomed to fail.
Because God Himself defended her soul;
Philomena kept her eyes on her heavenly goal.
The maiden Philomena;
Was strengthened by faith and grace;
Until the day she could behold;
God face to face.
Finally the maiden Philomena was beheaded;
And the onlookers wept;
For many centuries in the catacombs;
she silently slept.
At last her relics
were located;
And the excavators
were elated;
When Philomena's relics,
Were brought up to the ground;
Miracles started to abound !
Some folks thought that miracles;
Had stopped with the Bible;
With Philomena;
They had a revival.
The sneering cynics;
Who had announced God's demise;
Were by Philomena's miracles;
Dealt a surprise.
Saint Philomena's fame;
Spread everywhere;
And people ran to her;
Pleading in prayer.
No one was forgotten;
No one was left out;
The cripples;
The dying;
The sad;
And the needy;
All of them found;
Her miracles speedy.
From heaven she surveys;
All of our needs;
And on our behalf;
With God she pleads.
Say a prayer to Saint Philomena;
And light her a candle;
Because there is no problem;
That she cannot handle.
There’s one thing more;
We should not ignore;
From her grave of silent obscurity;
She has come back to teach us;
About goodness and purity.
by Mary Ann Matulis
