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Novena to St. Philomena

Day 3

10 min
Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Novena to St. Philomena

Opening prayer:

Glorious St. Philomena, young virgin and martyr powerful with God, you gave your life rather than surrender your love for Christ. Look upon me from heaven and obtain for me the courage to remain faithful to God in every trial. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 3: Courage before power

Tradition tells that Philomena, though only a girl, refused the demands of an emperor who sought her hand and the wealth and safety it would bring, choosing instead fidelity to her heavenly Spouse. Neither flattery nor threat could move her. She teaches us that fidelity to God can make even the weakest soul unshakable, and that the strength to resist the powerful comes not from ourselves but from the grace of God within us.

O brave Saint Philomena, who as a young girl defied an emperor for love of Christ, obtain for me the courage to stand for the truth before any power. When I am tempted to compromise out of fear, strengthen me with God's grace to remain faithful to Him alone. Amen.

Today's intention:

For courage to stand for the truth even before the powerful.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

Our Father

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.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Closing prayer:

St. Philomena, wonderworker and friend of the saints, by the power God has given you, present my petitions before His throne. Obtain for me the grace I now ask, if it be for God's glory and the good of my soul. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

About this prayer

A nine-day novena to St. Philomena, the young virgin and martyr known as the Wonderworker, beloved patroness of the Curé of Ars, model of purity and courage, and powerful intercessor in difficult causes.

History

In 1802 a tomb was found in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome bearing the name Filumena and the symbols of virginity and martyrdom, with a vial of dried blood beside the bones. Tradition holds she was a young girl who consecrated her virginity to Christ and died rather than betray it, around the early fourth century. After her relics were brought to Mugnano in Italy, many miracles followed, and St. John Vianney made her his celestial patroness.

How to pray it

Pray once each day for nine consecutive days. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the opening prayer, prayerfully read the meditation and offer the day's intention, then conclude with an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and the closing prayer.

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