Novena to Saint Philomena

On May 24, 1802, in the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria Nova, an inscribed loculus (space hollowed out of the rock) was found, and on the following day it was carefully examined and opened. The loculus was closed with three terracotta tiles, on which was the following inscription: lumena paxte cumfi. It was and is generally accepted that the tiles had not been positioned in the sequence of the words, and that the inscription originally read, with the leftmost tile placed on the right: pax tecum Filumena ("Peace with you, Philomena"). Within the loculus was found the skeleton of a female between thirteen and fifteen years old. Embedded in the cement was a small glass phial with vestiges of what was taken to be blood. In accordance with the assumptions of the time, the remains were taken to be those of a virgin martyr named Philomena.[3] Her name means 'daughter of light'. Philomena is the patron saint of infants, babies, and youth.

The belief that such vials were signs of the grave of a martyr was still held in 1863, when a December 10 decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites confirmed a decree of April 10, 1668. But this view has been rejected in practice since the investigations of Giovanni Battista De Rossi (1822 - 1894).[4]

In 1805, Canon Francesco De Lucia of Mugnano del Cardinale requested relics for his oratory, and on 8 June obtained the remains discovered in May 1802 (reduced to dust and fragments).[5] The relics arrived in Mugnano on August 10, and were placed in the Church of Our Lady of Grace.[6] A new Church of Our Lady of Grace was built, containing a chapel where the sacred relics were translated on September 29, 1805.[7]

In 1827, Pope Leo XII gave to the church in Mugnano del Cardinale the three inscribed terracotta slabs that had been taken from the tomb.[4] On May 24, 1802, in the Catacombs of Priscilla on the Via Salaria Nova, an Inscribed loculus (space hollowed out of the rock) was found, and on the following day it was Carefully Examined and opened. The loculus was closed With three terracotta tiles, on Which was the following inscription: Paxte Lumena cumfi. It was and is generally accepted That the tiles HAD not Been Positioned in the sequence of the words, and That the inscription read originally, with the leftmost tile Placed on the right: pax tecum Filumena ( "Peace with you, Philomena"). Within the loculus was found the skeleton of a female Between thirteen and fifteen years old. Embedded in the cement was a small glass phial With vestiges of what was taken to be blood. In Accordance With the assumptions of the time, the remains Were taken to be Those of a virgin martyr named Philomena. [3] Her name means 'daughter of light'. Philomena is the patron saint of infants, babies, and youth.

The Belief That Were Such vials signs of the grave of a martyr was still held in 1863, to December 10 When decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites confirmed a decree of April 10, 1668. But this view has-been rejected in practice since the investigations of Giovanni Battista De Rossi (1822-1894). [4]

In 1805, Canon Francesco De Lucia of Mugnano del Cardinale Requested Relics for His oratory, and on 8 June Obtained discovered in the remains May 1802 (reduced to dust and fragments). [5] The relics arrived in Mugnano on August 10 and Were Placed in the Church of Our Lady of Grace. [6] A new Church of Our Lady of Grace was built, a container containing the sacred relics chapel Where Were translated on September 29, 1805. [7]

In 1827, Pope Leo XII gave to the church in Mugnano del Cardinale the three inscribed terracotta slabs That HAD Been taken from the tomb. [4]