St. Filumena Holy Card

This large holy card of St. Philomena, or Filumena in the original Latin, features a vintage image of the saint with the Blessed Mother and Child Jesus.  On the back of this holy card is a prayer to Saint Filumena, the virgin and martyr, who is a great wonder worker for all who seek her aid, and the patron of infants, babies, and youth.  

St. Philomena was a Greek princess who lived at the end of the 3rd century.  When she was only eleven she consecrated herself to Jesus, and therefore when she remained steadfast in her Faith against the wishes of the Roman Emperor Diocletian who wished to marry her, he subjected her to a series of tortures finally ending in her martyrdom.

In the 19th century an Oblate of Our Mother of Sorrows, a Dominican Tertiary at the blessing and instruction of her priest was privileged to to have St. Philomena reveal her life:  "I am the daughter of the king of a small Grecian State and my mother, too, was of royal blood.  They continually offered sacrifices to false gods to obtain a child.  We had in our family a doctor called Publius who was a Christian...Inspired by the Holy Ghost, he spoke to them of our Faith and made them this promise, "If you want a child, be baptized and embrace the religion of Jesus Christ."  They were instructed and were baptized along with a number of their courtiers.  A year later, on January 10th, I was Born and I was called Lumina because I had been conceived and born in the light of the Faith, to which my parents were now truly devoted.  Affectionately, I was called, Filumena - Daughter of Light, of that Light of Christ which dwelt in my soul by the grace I received in Baptism.  Because of my birth many families in the kingdom became Christians.  I grew up with the teaching of the Gospel printed deeply in my heart.  When I was five, I received for the first time Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist; and on that day was planted in my heart the desire to be united forever to my Redeemer Who is the Spouse of virgins.  When I was eleven, I consecrated myself to Him by vow."

Printed on white cardstock, 3" by 4 5/8"

Image source: Chant Art

Prayer and quote from St. Philomena used with permission from the Universal Living Rosary Association, Dickinson, TX