Feastday St. Filomena: August the 11th
When did St. Filomena live: 291-304
Biography of St. Filomena:
In 1802, the bones of a girl aged between thirteen and fifteen were unearthed in the catacomb of St. Priscilia in Italy. "Peace be with thee, Philomena", this is what was written along with drawings of two anchors, three arrows and a palm on the tiles made of terracotta which were found near the tomb. Because of the signs and symbols found, it was determined that St. Filomena was a martyr and a virgin. Canon Francis de Lucia of Mugnano enshrined the relics of St. Filomena in a chapel in Mugnano. Miracles began to be reported at the shrine and St. Filomena was recognized as a Saint. According to the legend the emperor Diocletian wanted to force Filomena to marry him, she refused and so he tortured her. She was flagellated and then healed by an angel, she was drowned but the anchor broke and so she survived. Diocletian ordered to kill her with the bow, but the arrows deviated from her. Finally she was beheaded.
Statues and sculptures of St. Filomena - portrayal, imagery and emblem: The sculpture represents St. Filomena with an arrow, an anchor and a palm leaf in her hand.
Patronage St. Filomena: Patroness of the Living Rosary and of the Children of Mary