Fact Checking St. Philomena (2.0)

*Note- This is an edited and improved post from last Easter. I didn’t feel I did our girl Philomena justice so this is version 2.0.

I don’t think I had ever heard of St. Philomena before the days of April 7, 2016.  That was when our infant daughter London was admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and we frantically began searching for the right patron saint to pray to for her intercession.  We quickly came across St. Philomena, patron saint of infants, babies and youth and began to pray fervently.  Now some have asked why St. Philomena, and not someone such as St. Jude?  Honestly, I don’t really remember how we landed on St. Philomena, but I think it was my brother.  I remember him telling me her name meant “Loved one” and how he felt that was so fitting for London. 

My first order of business after selecting St. Philomena was to locate her parishes and send family and friends on our behalf to pray and light candles.  There was St. Philomena Parish in New Jersey, where my husband’s cousin lived.  There was St. Philomena Parish in Peoria where my college roommate’s mother lived.  Thirdly, there was St. Philomena Parish in Chicago which my brother visited before I could even ask.  Within days all three parishes were visited with candles lit.  I must say the Chicago location was my favorite story as it was in a not-so-nice part of town and was locked even in the middle of the day.  My brother had to walk all around the building trying to find someone to let him in.  Finally, he found success but was told to pray and get out of the area as soon as possible. 

St. Philomena is known as an imitator of Mary due to her heroic virtues of purity, obedience, and humility.  Therefore, most of my prayers were to Mary and St. Philomena in tandem while we were in the PICU.  I prayed the rosary almost incessantly for those three weeks.  I felt so connected to Mary and St. Philomena while there, that I was certain they would intercede on behalf of my daughter’s life.    However, after returning home without my baby, I felt abandoned by St. Philomena, or worse, duped by her mere existence.   

If you begin researching St. Philomena online, you will find varying information.  She is a topic of controversy and was removed from the calendar of the saints in 1961 (along with 14 other saints) due to doubts of her story’s accuracy. Her legend does make some bold claims including survival of three assassination attempts that were curtailed by angels before her ultimate beheading.  However, it is important to note that never did the Holy See suppress devotion to St. Philomena or try to deny her existence.  Therefore, we still have schools and parishes named in her honor.  Despite her controversy, she has some of the most loyal followers of all the saints. 

Oftentimes I have been told to pay attention when you open a book of faith, that your focus will be directed intentionally.  As I have been reading my grandmother’s Dictionary of Saints, I keep finding myself randomly opening to the page of St. Philomena.  Also, when scanning the “saints” section in my Hallow App my eyes seem to always locate the St. Philomena tab, or names associated with her such as John Vianney and Padre Pio.  Therefore, I have been motivated to further investigate this topic.    

The bare minimum that seems to be agreed upon is the following.  In 1802, the bones of a teenage girl were found under tiles that read, “Peace be with you, Philomena,” along with a symbol of a palm and a vial of dried blood (both symbolizing martyrdom).  Once her bones were exhumed miracles began happening and her final resting place is the Shrine at Our Lady of Grace Church in Mugnano, Italy. 

The interesting thing is that although there have been countless miracles associated with Philomena as well as revelations detailing her life to multiple holy people, there really is no concrete evidence of her earthly life.  Lack of proof is hard for people, myself included, which is why I have spent the day fact-checking Philomena and trying to find proof. 

The story goes that Mary said to John Vianney in a vision, “To Philomena, nothing is refused.”  I’m not going to lie, this makes me rather salty, because 7 years ago, I would claim that I was refused.  Although I now feel a sort of kinship with Philomena on the premise of never getting to tell her story.  This seems to parallel the lives of babies taken too soon who never had the opportunity to live out their earthly lives and therefore tell their story.  Maybe THAT is what she needs to be the patron saint of.  Saint of untold stories.      

After spending the day wondering about the authenticity of her various life details, I’m left to the conclusion that, maybe we were meant to wonder for a purpose.  Maybe her mystery is what makes her so popular.  If millions of people worldwide have prayed to Philomena and found refuge, then that’s proof enough for me.  In fact, mystery is fitting for Philomena, as she is the protectress of the living rosary, which contains twenty mysteries! 

Honestly, in hindsight I feel guilty about doubting St. Philomena.  For in the hospital, I felt her.  She was there, with Mary, comforting me.  I know it in my heart.  To quote a less controversial saint, “To those with faith, no evidence is necessary; for those without it, no evidence will suffice.”   St. Thomas Aquinas.