Week 2 - The August Shield: How the Immaculate Heart Fortified the Martyrs of Red, White, and Green

Week 2: Saint Philomena “the Wonder Worker” (291-304) Red, White & Green Martyr

Quote: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” - Tertullian

St. Philomena stands as an “August Anchor” of the Catholic faith, a young virgin-martyr whose witness is woven in the colors of red, white, and green—the ancient symbols of her suffering, purity, and triumph. In her short life and heroic death, she embraced the red martyrdom of bloodshed for Christ, the white martyrdom of unwavering chastity, and the green martyrdom of continual hope amid persecution. Her story, preserved not through earthly records but through heavenly testimony, continues to draw countless souls to deeper faith and healing, reminding the Church that God often chooses the hidden and the small to reveal His greatest works.

St. Philomena’s profound love for Jesus becomes clearer when her story is viewed within its historical setting. Though she left no writings, the Church’s understanding of her life arises from ancient Christian symbols, early tradition, and the miraculous testimony surrounding her relics. It should be noted that the Catholic Church does not officially verify the traditional biography attributed to her. Even so, her purity, courage, and joyful endurance amid the early persecutions reveal a young girl wholly devoted to Christ.

The narrative traditionally associated with her life comes from three private revelations given in the early 19th century to Mother Maria Luisa di Gesù, Pauline-Marie Jaricot, and Sister Maria Luisa of St. Joseph. Through these testimonies, Philomena described her vow of virginity, her sufferings under Emperor Diocletian, the miracles surrounding her martyrdom, and her mission to rekindle faith and purity in modern times. Together, they illuminate a witness whose love for Christ continues to inspire healing, devotion, and conversion today.

The persecution of the early Christians by the Roman emperors is a story characterized by challenges and intense ideological conflict. The blood of martyrs soaked the earth as believers were fed to the lions, beaten, whipped, sawed in half, put to death by sword, burned in the fire, and chained in prisons. From the youngest child to the oldest worker, if the enemy found a Christian, they were put to death.

Who were the enemies of the early Christians? The Roman emperors, local magistrates, and pagan mobs who carried out systematic persecutions that resulted in the execution and suffering of thousands of early Christians. The imperial cruelty reached its peak in 303 A.D., when Emperor Diocletian unleashed the “Great Persecution,” a demonic storm meant to tear the Church out by its roots, yet its fury was completely conquered by the pure, unyielding heart of a young virgin martyr, Philomena, who chose the heavenly crown of Jesus over the earthly crown of an emperor.

Saint Philomena was brought to Rome at the age of thirteen years old. As a Greek princess, her earthly family pleaded with her to accept Diocletian’s hand in marriage to secure peace for their kingdom. Yet having already secretly betrothed her virginity to Jesus Christ at the age of eleven years, the young “Daughter of Light” unyieldingly resisted both her parents’ tears and the tyrant’s seductive promises.

Diocletian cast Philomena into a dark dungeon, subjecting her to forty days of agonizing captivity and horrific torments. When she was mercilessly scourged, angels descended to heal her open wounds; when she was cast into the Tiber River with a heavy iron anchor chained around her neck, the heavenly messengers (angels) cut the ropes and carried her safely to the dry shore.

Even the deadly arrows fired by the imperial archers miraculously turned in midair, striking down her executioners instead. Realizing his earthly power was useless against divine protection, the enraged emperor finally ordered her decapitation, delivering Philomena to her eternal Spouse on Friday, August 10th, in the year 304 A.D. According to the traditional account, she died at three in the afternoon—the very hour of Christ’s own triumph on the Cross.

Centuries after her earthly execution, the triumphant light of St. Philomena could no longer remain hidden in the darkness of the Roman catacombs. In 1802, her burial tomb was discovered in the Catacomb of Saint Priscilla, bearing the prophetic symbols of her victory: three arrows, an anchor, a palm branch, and a lily of purity. When Philomena’s tomb was opened, a small glass vial containing dried blood was found. In the early Church, placing a vial of blood inside or sealed into a grave was a traditional sign used to signify that this person shed their blood and died for the Christian faith.

Though Diocletian sought to erase her name from history, her renewed public veneration as a modern Wonder-Worker proved that earthly empires crumble while the crown of red martyrdom shines forever. Today, Saint Philomena is invoked as the patron of Children of Mary, the Living Rosary, infants, and young people, and hopeless or impossible causes. Philomena, the fierce young Greek princess, continues to confound despair by proving that no tyrant can ever conquer a soul who imitates the Immaculate Heart of Mary and surrenders to Jesus Christ.

St. Philomena lived her short life embodying the three traditional crowns of spiritual victory. Her lifelong chastity made her a white martyr, her bloody torture and execution under Diocletian made her a red martyr, and her steadfast endurance of prolonged imprisonment and mental anguish without wavering fulfilled the definition of green martyr of severe ascetic discipline and penance.

Parallels of Grace: The Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Martyrdom of Saint Philomena

• Philomena consecrated her virginity to Christ at the age of eleven, echoing Mary’s pure and dedicated heart.

• Rejection of the World: Mary and St. Philomena both turn away from worldly grandeur: Philomena rejects an emperor’s crown, and Mary embraces a life of hidden humility, desiring only what God desires. In each, the world’s honors lose their appeal in the light of a higher, divine calling.

• Fortitude in Pain: During Philomena’s imprisonment and torture, she remained silent and steadfast, reflecting Mary standing strong at the foot of the Cross.

• Divine Consolation: The Blessed Virgin Mary personally appeared to Philomena in her cell to comfort her and promise heavenly triumph, uniting their stories in a direct maternal bond.

• A Conduit of Grace: Devotion to Philomena acts as a clear pathway intended to lead the faithful straight to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, evoking Mary’s role as a protector and intercessor for souls.

• Faithful Obedience: During the trials and persecution of Philomena, submission to God’s will over worldly safety complements Mary’s fiat (let it be done to me).

• Deep Humility: St. Philomena was open to receiving God’s divine grace over worldly royal status, thus becoming a handmaid of the Lord resembling Mary’s humility.

• Shared Light Titles: Mary and Philomena share a beautiful bond through their titles, both rooted in the imagery of divine light. Mary is honored as the “Morning Star” and “Star of the Sea,” reflecting the radiance of Christ to the world. Philomena, whose name in Latin is traditionally interpreted as filia luminis—“daughter of light”—carries a similar symbolism of heavenly illumination. In Greek, her name is associated with philomena or philomene, meaning “lover of strength,” a fitting expression of the spiritual courage she displayed in her martyrdom. Together, these titles highlight how both Mary and Philomena mirror the light and strength that flow from Christ Himself.

Why the Title “Wonder-Worker” is a Gift from God

The title of a saint is something everyone should strive toward. But to have the subtitle “Wonder-Worker” linked is considered a traditional descriptive epithet applied to specific saints renowned for performing numerous miracles. Here are a few saints entrusted with this honor:

• Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus (213-270)

• Saint Nicholas of Myra (270-343)

• Saint Spyridon of Trimythous (270-348)

• Saint Menas of Egypt (285-309)

• Saint Philomena (291-304)

• Saint Hypatius of Gangra (died c. 326)

• Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231)

• Saint Francis of Paola (1416-1507)

• Saint Charbel Makhlouf (1828-1898)

The title “Wonder-Worker” is not merely an honorary label but a profound gift bestowed by God upon certain saints. It signifies divine favor and the manifestation of God’s power through these holy individuals. This gift reflects the saint’s deep faith, unwavering devotion, and their role as instruments of God’s miraculous intervention in the world.

Being called a “Wonder-Worker” means that the saint has been granted the ability to perform miracles that inspire faith, provide healing, and offer hope to believers. These miracles are signs of God’s presence and love, serving to strengthen the spiritual lives of the faithful and to confirm the truth of the Christian message.

The Martyr Who Speaks Through Miracles

Saint Philomena is a powerful “Wonder-Worker” whose intercession and miraculous miracles I witnessed firsthand. This story began about twelve years ago, when my mother-in-law, Pat, was consoling her friend Ramona at church. Ramona was heartbroken because her husband, Bob, was dying of bladder cancer, and she desperately longed for him to attend Mass before he died. Pat shared the story of St. Philomena with Ramona and gave her a nine-day novena to begin. Ramona started the novena with a promise: if, by God’s grace, Philomena could inspire Bob to attend Mass before he died, she would make a road trip to the Shrine of St. Philomena in Briggsville, Wisconsin, on the Saint’s feast day.

Ramona faithfully prayed the nine-day novena to St. Philomena, and on the final day—Saturday—she decided to ask Bob if he would come with her to the vigil Mass. To her astonishment, he said yes. Ramona was stunned by his willingness, and in that moment she realized she needed to begin planning the road trip to Briggsville, Wisconsin, because this was the promise she had made: if the grace of the novena moved Bob to return to the sacraments, she would honor Philomena by visiting her shrine on the feast day.

The road trip ended up being two carloads of people from the Twin Cities, all heading to Briggsville to honor the young Greek princess, Philomena. It was a four-hour drive to the shrine, and the excitement was overflowing—Ramona’s prayer had been answered, and everyone carried a sense of joyful expectation. When we arrived at the Church of St. Mary Help of Christians, we found a small country parish that was both quaint and elegant, and absolutely packed. Mass began around 7 p.m., standing-room only, with pilgrims from many states—Massachusetts, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and more—all gathered to celebrate St. Philomena’s feast day.

The first-class relic of St. Philomena was displayed near the high altar during Mass, holding a place of honor beside our Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist. Ramona sat next to me; the church was crowded, hot, and filled with tears. She wept through the entire Mass, thanking God and St. Philomena for the grace that had brought Bob back to the sacraments he needed to complete his earthly mission.

The trip home left everyone tired but deeply joyful, grateful, and humbled. That little country church, nestled among trees and a quiet lake, had been filled with a presence that could only be the Holy Spirit. By the time we arrived home—safe, near midnight—we were exhausted, yet profoundly thankful for a beautiful day spent with our Wonder-Worker, St. Philomena.

About three days later, I received a call: Ramona’s husband, Bob, had just completed his final checkup at Mayo Clinic, and the cancer was gone. The doctor—who was a Protestant—pulled Ramona and Bob into a private office and asked them what they had done, because the terminal bladder cancer had vanished, nowhere to be found in the latest scans. Ramona was astonished and began telling her the story of St. Philomena, explaining that they believed this was an extraordinary answer to prayer. St. Philomena, seeing Ramona’s perseverance, once again interceded—this time for Bob’s complete healing, which God alone granted, using Philomena as the faithful vessel through whom His grace was poured out.

If you ever find yourself seeking hope, healing, or simply a quiet place to encounter God’s grace, come visit this humble yet powerful shrine—where countless pilgrims have found peace, strength, and renewed faith through St. Philomena’s intercession.

Where Pilgrims Honor the Wonder-Worker

The National Shrine of St. Philomena is located in Briggsville, Wisconsin, on the grounds of St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, just east of Wisconsin Dells by about ten to twelve miles. In the 1940s, Father I.C. Wiltzius received a first-class relic of St. Philomena from Naples, Italy. Today, that relic is housed inside the church for veneration, and an outdoor grotto-style shrine—built to resemble the Roman dungeon where St. Philomena suffered—stands nearby. The parish offers special Masses around St. Philomena’s feast day, welcoming pilgrims from across the country. For further information, inquiries can be made by calling the parish at 608-981-2282 or by visiting their website at https://www.saintphilomenashrine.org.

By Patricia Altier - CPO Board Member

Primary Sources & Further Reading:

• Adams, Walter, and Anonymous Author from the 19th Century. The Life and Miracles of St. Philomena, Virgin and Martyr. 2019.

• Anonymous. The Life and Miracles of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr. 1863.

• Anonymous. The Life and Miracles of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr: Whose Sacred Body Was Lately Discovered in the Catacombs at Rome. 2024.

• Barat, Madeleine Sophie. The Letters of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat. Various editions.

• Damien of Molokai. Letters of Father Damien, Apostle of the Lepers. Edited by Pamphile de Veuster. Various editions.

• Di Lucia, Francesco. Historical Account of the Translation of the Sacred Body of St. Philomena from Rome to Mugnano del Cardinale. Avellino, 1834.

• Eymard, Peter Julian. The Letters of St. Peter Julian Eymard. Various volumes.

• Gabriel, Cole M. The Life of Saint Philomena: Life Story and Nine Days Novena, Litany and Devotions. 2024.

• Gregory XVI. Papal Brief Approving the Public Cult of St. Philomena. Vatican Archives, 1837.

• Hallack, Cecily, and Keith Berube. Wonder Worker: Saint Philomena, Virgin Martyr. 2025.

• Intercede: Catholic Novenas, Pray to St. Philomena for Children and Impossible Causes https://catholicnovenaapp.com/novenas/st-philomena-novena, Visit July 2026

• Mother of All People. “It Is Time to Meet St. Philomena.” January 2019. Accessed July 2026.

• Mohr, Marie Helene. St. Philomena: Powerful With God. TAN Books, 2007.

• National Shrine of Saint Philomena (Briggsville, WI). “History of the Shrine.

• O’Sullivan, Paul. St. Philomena: The Wonder Worker. Tan Books, 1993.

• Sancton, Lucian D. St. Philomena’s Life and Legacy: A Comprehensive Biography of Her Life, Death, and Enduring Legacy. 2025.

• Sheposh, Richard. “Diocletianic Persecution.” EBSCO Religion and Philosophy, 2023.

• St. Philomena Catholic Church. “Our Patron Saint.”

• Sullivan, Mary Louise. Mother Cabrini: Italian Immigrant of the Century. Center for Migration Studies, 1992.

• Thoman, Bret. “First They Discovered St. Philomena’s Remains… Then Came the Miracles. March 2021. Accessed July 2026.

• Trochu, Francis. The Curé of Ars: St. Jean-Marie-Baptiste Vianney. Translated by Dom Ernest Graf. Tan Books, 1977.

• Vianney, John, Litany and Novena to St. Philomena, EWTN Global Catholic Television Network, https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/litany-and-novena-to-st-philomena-11873, Visit July 2026

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