St. Philomena Archives

Novena to St. Philomena

The “Novena to St. Philomena” is a 9-day invocation to one of the Church’s most beloved young saints and martyrs, often called the “Wonder-Worker” for the countless miracles attributed to her intercession. This prayer honors St. Philomena’s extraordinary courage and purity, as she chose martyrdom rather than abandon her faith and consecrated virginity when faced with the advances of Emperor Diocletian. Countless faithful have reported healings, conversions, and spiritual graces through St. Philomena’s intercession.

Novena to St. Philomena

Prayer Video

Pray the following prayer for nine consecutive days for a special intention:

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 heart and desire, 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 favors, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment.

[Mention your petitions now]

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 exaltation and prosperity, the extension of the faith, for the Sovereign Pontiff, 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.

Prayer to St. Philomena

The “Prayer to St. Philomena” is an invocation to one of the Church’s most beloved young saints and martyrs, often called the “Wonder-Worker” for the countless miracles attributed to her intercession. This prayer honors St. Philomena’s extraordinary courage and purity, as she chose martyrdom rather than abandon her faith and consecrated virginity when faced with the advances of Emperor Diocletian. Countless faithful have reported healings, conversions, and spiritual graces through St. Philomena’s intercession.

Prayer to St. Philomena

Prayer Video

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 heart and desire, purity of thought and affection.

In addition to these favors, obtain for me, O faithful spouse of Jesus, the particular intention I earnestly recommend to thee at this moment.

[Mention your petitions now]

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 exaltation and prosperity, the extension of the faith, for the Sovereign Pontiff, 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.

St. Philomena

About St. Philomena

St. Philomena was a Greek princess who was martyred at age 13 by the Roman emperor Diocletian after refusing to marry him and maintaining her vow of virginity to Christ. While she became extremely popular among Catholics, including St. John Vianney who attributed all his miracles to her intercession, her cultus became controversial in the 20th century due to questions about historical authenticity. In 1961, her feast day was removed from the Roman calendar, though private devotion to her continues. This makes her case particularly interesting as an example of how popular devotion and official recognition can sometimes diverge in Catholic tradition, though I should note that some of these historical details may be imprecise since this is a complex historical case.

Prayers & Devotions

Intercession of the Saints

Chaplet of St. Philomena

The “Chaplet of St. Philomena” is a beautiful devotional prayer that honors the young virgin martyr known as the “Wonder Worker” for the countless miracles attributed to her intercession.St. Philomena was a young consecrated virgin and martyr of the early Church in the 3rd century AD. Tradition holds that she was the daughter of a Greek king who converted to Christianity against the will of her father. Refusing to renounce her faith and marry the Roman Emperor, she was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually executed at age 13 in 304 AD. She was canonized in 1837 and is hailed as a model of purity, courage, and veneration of Christ. Her feast day is celebrated on August 11th.

Chaplet of St. Philomena

Prayer video

Begin with the Apostles’ Creed to ask for the grace of faith:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Pray the Our Father three times in honor of the three Divine Persons of the Blessed Trinity in thanksgiving for all favors obtained through her intercession:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Pray the following prayer 13 times in honor of the thirteen years that St. Philomena spent on earth:

Hail, O holy St. Philomena, whom I acknowledge, after Mary, as my advocate with the Divine Spouse, intercede for me now and at the hour of my death.

St. Philomena, beloved daughter of Jesus and Mary, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.

In conclusion, pray the following prayer:

Hail, O illustrious St. Philomena, who shed so courageously your blood for Christ! I bless the Lord for all the graces He has bestowed upon thee during thy life, and especially at thy death. I praise and glorify Him for the honor and power with which He has crowned thee, and I beg thee to obtain for me from God the graces I ask through thy intercession. Amen.