Philomena \u2013 which means \u201cdaughter of light\u201d \u2013 was a Greek princess who lived on the Island of Corfu during the fourth century.\u00a0 When Philomena was about 13 years old, her parents (who were of Greek royalty) were called to Rome because the Emperor Diocletian wanted to inflict war on the Island.\u00a0 Having seen Philomena\u2019s beauty and having been impressed with her manners, Diocletian asked for her hand in marriage as a sort of peace treaty.\u00a0 Her parents accepted the offer, but because Philomena had vowed her virginity to God, she refused the marriage proposal.<\/p>\n
In an attempt to get Philomena to marry the Emperor, her parents brought her to Diocletian, who tried to win her favor.\u00a0 But, she still refused his hand in marriage.\u00a0 As a result, Diocletian put her in jail and ordered her to be executed. While in jail, she had a vision of the Virgin Mary, who warned her about her fate, but promised heavenly glory and protection when she endured tortures.<\/p>\n
From that point on, there is very little documented about Philomena\u2019s life.\u00a0 What is known about her has been passed down through the centuries by word of mouth.\u00a0 Apparently, after nearly 40 days in prison, Philomena was tied to a post, flogged, and left to die in her jail cell.\u00a0 But angels appeared from heaven and healed her wounds with a miraculous balm.\u00a0 So, the Emperor then ordered to have her drowned with an anchor tied to her neck.\u00a0 That attempt to kill her was also unsuccessful \u2013 angels returned her back to dry land completely unharmed.\u00a0 Later, she was ordered to be killed by archers.\u00a0 But, as she was shot, the arrows returned upon the bowmen and killed them instead.\u00a0 Accused of witchcraft, Philomena was finally decapitated and died in Rome, Italy on August 10.<\/p>\n
On May 24, 1802, the remains of a teenage girl was discovered in the Catacombs of Saint Priscilla at the Via Salaria in Rome.\u00a0 An inscription containing the Latin words \u201cpax tecum filumena\u201d (transcribed as \u201cpeace be with you, Philomena\u201d) was on the tomb.\u00a0 Also cut on the tomb were emblems of a lily and palm (to indicate virginity and martyrdom); an anchor; scourge; and three arrows pointing in opposite directions (one with a curved line, signifying fire).\u00a0 Combined with the inscription, these symbols were thought to have symbolized the life of Philomena and the different tortures she endured in testimony of her faith and love of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
Her feast day is August 11. She is the patron saint of children, youth, babies, infants, lost causes, sterility, and virgins.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"