FOR MY BIRTHDAY, I'D LOVE...
...were you to consider purchasing and making known, Wonder Worker, British author, Cecily Hallack's biography of St Philomena and magnum opus. Newly edited and forwarded by Dr Keith Berube.
I'm enraptured in particular by how devotion to Philomena spread in France. Philomena's first major disciple was Pauline Jaricot, a native of Lyon. She was born into wealth, her father had a silk factory and she was a socialite in her youth.
Pauline had grave health problems before she went on a pilgrimage to Mugnano, venerated Philomena's relics and then enjoyed a miraculous healing. Before she'd been laid low with a life-threatening heart condition, merciless palpitations, dire exhaustion and extreme trouble breathing.
Pauline was beatified in 2022, and her heart examined by pathologists to determine the veracity of the miracle she received through the intercession of Philomena and it was concluded that her heart was free of the defects that had plagued her before she prayed at the throne of the Greek Princess.
Just after Pauline got her health back, in 1835, when she was 36, she was given a relic of St Philomena, fragments of her humerus bone, the upper arm which in Philomena's life was covered by her long dark hair. Pauline gave some of this relic to the Curé of Ars, Fr. John Vianney, who lived 20 miles from her, in the town encircled by many lakes.
This gaunt French priest was much given to extreme mortification, with the exception that when he staggered from exhaustion he had to be revived with red wine. He became known for the miracles he worked and which were worked through his devotion to Philomena and he was known to say, "Go to Philomena; whoever you ask of her, she will obtain for you." Shortly after he built a chapel for Philomena and soon the walls were lined with the crutches.
Cecily Hallack defined their relationship as such, "The Cure of Ars never knew close friendship with any woman. God had chosen for him a companion no longer of this world, a little maid of olden days, who was to be at once his lady, betrothed, sister and daughter - all in one! Speaking to her as a father, he may easily press her with his entreaties."
As I wrote before, Fr. Vianney tried to micromanage Philomena and demanded a tad rudely that she perform her miracles when the sick returned home. Philomena went on near total strike. This put Fr. Vianney in his place and he spoke out loud from his pulpit, "Great Saint, if you do not work miracles, you will lost your reputation!" Philomena was listening; at that exact moment, someone in the church who had been struggling with disease, knew a miraculous cure.
Others caught the love bug from Fr. Vianney. A young man who hailed from Sempigny, Northern France was very rich. He made two vows, first he vowed his virginity to Philomena and he vowed to build a chapel in her honor. When the chapel was complete, the walls were soon decorated with ex-voto offerings from the grateful faithful who had known Philomena's help.
Today, I turn 42, and I'm very much at peace and joyful. I live a simple, modest life but have everything I need and good friends near and far.
Wonder Worker is available at the Spirit Daily bookstore.
Happy Birthday Mary. You’re a gem.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kindness.
DeleteHappy birthday! I love St Philomena and bl. Pauline Jaricot.
ReplyDeleteThank you, great to hear of your love.
DeleteThere was a very good parish in Detroit named St. Philomena. The pastor, Fr. Peter Lentine served from 1966 until his death at age 97. It was a great parish, sadly now closed.
ReplyDeleteOh, so sorry it closed. But with Philomena you never know, she may bring it back in grand style.
DeleteHappy Birthday Mary! I remember when I turned 42 and now I’m 68! It goes fast… I purchased St Philomena book😇
ReplyDeleteYou'll love the book! And thank you for the birthday wishes.
DeleteHappy belated birthday, Mary! Wow, 1984 for a birth year! In many ways, that was a good year, Pope John Paul 2, John Cardinal O'Connor, Van Halen with Panama, U2 with A Sort of Homecoming, FFA trips, summer daily mass, jokes about Bishop Edward "Dead" Head, and so on. And God blessed the world with a happy, bouncy, sweet fussy princess named Mary!
ReplyDeleteDear James, You are such a great wit! Thank you. In Heaven, I hope to be Philomena's lady in waiting, if she'll have me. She can be fussy too!
DeleteHello Mary,
ReplyDeleteYour blog has inspired me anew.
Years ago, I was blessed to receive 3 knocks from St. Philomena: I had just started my very first novena to her. The 9th evening, I received word that the intention I had prayed for was answered, but not quite in the way I had prayed for. I recall thinking, perhaps this was chance, nothing to do with St. Philomena.
The next day I was woken abruptly from sleep in the wee hours of the morning by 3 extremely loud raps right over my bed. I jumped out, heart pounding, thinking I would have a cardiac attack from the fright.
Then, in an instant a thought entered my head : St. Philomena. She wanted me to know she had answered my prayers, it was not chance, I concluded.
I was so grateful, I went on my knees in thanks.
Over the years, I prayed several novenas, but never received answers. I believed I had lost friendship with St. Philomena for my inattention to her.
I will renew my prayers.
2 questions:
1. where can I find a print of the portrait of St. Philomena that John Vianney had - the one that is said to resemble her most? I would like to have one over my daughter’s bed to inspire her to pray to this great saint. Can you help?
2- what are the spiritual challenges you refer to that may come to those who are devoted to St. Philomena?
I recall in my devotional time to her in the past, I was beset by many diabolical dreams. Are these the kind of challenges you are referring?
Again, thank you.
Anne-Marie
Dear Anne-Marie,
DeleteThank you so much for your awe-inspiring comment. I'm so sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I got a comment from another lady called Anne-Marie on Instagram and replied to her, thinking it was you! She told me she was not you! It has been a bit of an overwhelming time.
I read your questions many times. The portrait of St Philomena that John Vianney had - the one that is said to resemble her the most - that is on the cover of Wonder Worker. Would a prayer card do? Buying one or making one. I can't, however, see one online. There is this Tumbler post, https://www.tumblr.com/catholicsoul/94440183525/painting-of-saint-philomena-commissioned-by-saint
Yes, I agree that spiritual attack can come at people who are devoted to her, or especially who promote her. Padre Pio was known to say that confusion regarding whether she was a saint was the work of the devil. Sigh!
I think, too, that diabolical dreams could be a result, too. I don't have a source from a saint or exorcist on this.
God bless you, Mary
PS - There are some lovely prints of all varieties on Etsy, but not as far as I can find one of that commissioned by John Vianney.
Deletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/4383616098/saint-philomena-oil-painting-print-oil?ls=a&external=1&rec_type=ad&ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-3&pro=1&plkey=EujMgLgFEoZhDMyirkmSRl-dM262%3ALTb358a373469c3bae9c980ef871eb7cf8a83aba48
Mary,
DeleteThank you so much for replying to me, and your efforts to find the right Anne-Marie!
I will look into those sites you gave for the portrait of St. Philomena.
And I’ll reflect on your insight Re spiritual attack.
Interestingly, after I started a new novena to St. Philomena and one to St. Joseph a few days ago, I was visited by an individual who knocked on my door in the evening while my daughter and I were having dinner and announced that something serious would be unfolding involving our family. I won’t go into details, suffice it to say, it has thrown me into great mental distress and anxiety.
I continue my novenas and also just read your excellent posts on the Holy Name of Jesus, the matter has so distressed me. It has just occurred to me whether the start of the novenas, the sudden visitor and the intense anxiety that ensued are somehow related.
If you have any other insights, suggestions on St. Philomena, the Holy Name, etc, would you let me know?
And again, sincere thanks for trying to find me and replying to me. I’m so grateful. Apt for any angst you endured trying to reach me.
God bless you abundantly.
Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie, Well done for all these novenas! I'm so sorry for your distress and anxiety. As regards seeking guidance and insights, would it be possible to find a priest who may counsel you?
DeleteYes, absolutely, Mary!
DeleteAnd thank you again for replying to my notes and for your efforts to find me.
DeleteSo much appreciated!
Best, Anne-Marie
Hi Mary
ReplyDeleteI wanted to reach out and tell you how much I loved your podcast either Alvaro which I watched last night at 3am. I live in Ireland in County Limerick and I have had a life long devotion to Padre Pio which commensed when my father died in 1969. A long time ago. My mother brought me to San Giovanni 2 years later to thank Padre Pio for all the graces obtained and in thanksgiving for my father's peaceful and holy death. Like you I was well on the way to ditching my faith but we went on pilgrimage with the wonderful Donal Enright. That changed my trajectory altogether. I returned to San Giovanni last year and realised there all I had forgotten to thank Padre Pio for.
Thank you so much, dear Maryrose for your lovely comment, and such a great story of your devotion to Pio and to Donal Enright - may he pray for us! I went to college in Limerick so know the town quite well. And wow, your Mom took you on a pilgrimage that was life changing. Oh, you might like to read my book and read about my time with Donal Enright who filled in missing pieces of Pio's story that were missing.
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