St. Philomena was a young consecrated virgin and martyr of the early Church in the 3rd century AD. Tradition holds that she was the daughter of a Greek king who converted to Christianity against the will of her father. Refusing to renounce her faith and marry the Roman Emperor, she was imprisoned, tortured, and eventually executed at age 13 in 304 AD. She was canonized in 1837 and is hailed as a model of purity, courage, and veneration of Christ. Her feast day is celebrated on August 11th.
How to Pray the Chaplet of St. Philomena
Begin with the Apostles’ Creed to ask for the grace of faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Pray the Our Father three times in honor of the three Divine Persons of the Blessed Trinity in thanksgiving for all favors obtained through her intercession:
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.
Pray the following prayer 13 times in honor of the thirteen years that St. Philomena spent on earth:
Hail, O holy St. Philomena, whom I acknowledge, after Mary, as my advocate with the Divine Spouse, intercede for me now and at the hour of my death.
St. Philomena, beloved daughter of Jesus and Mary, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
In conclusion, pray the following prayer:
Hail, O illustrious St. Philomena, who shed so courageously your blood for Christ! I bless the Lord for all the graces He has bestowed upon thee during thy life, and especially at thy death. I praise and glorify Him for the honor and power with which He has crowned thee, and I beg thee to obtain for me from God the graces I ask through thy intercession. Amen.