Figure 19-3: St. Philomena

Philomena was a virgin and martyr in the early days of Christianity. A cult developed around her when bones of a young girl were found along with a small vial of what was thought to be blood. A tablet nearby carried an inscription that when translated read “Peace be with you, Philomena.” All of this turned up in the St. Priscilla catacomb in Rome.

Early in the nineteenth century, miracles began to be reported at Philomena's tomb, which had been moved from the catacomb. Devotion to this saint grew to the point where Pope Gregory XVI legitimized her cult in 1837 and gave her the feast day of August 11. Philomena was a favorite saint of St. John-Baptiste Vianney, the Curé of Ars, known for his kindness as a confessor, who lived during her most popular years.

However, her name is no longer on the liturgical calendar. The church “suppressed” her feast day because there was so little known about her.