Novena to St Philomena
Feast: 11 Aug
When to pray: Begin on 2 Aug and finish on 10 Aug, the eve of the feast. A novena is prayed on nine consecutive days.
Prayer for each day
St Philomena, young witness to Christ, pray for me in my need and help me keep faith pure and strong. Amen.
Day by day
Day 1: Found in the catacomb
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Ps 115:15 [Ps 116:15], Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, in 1802 your tomb was found in the catacomb of Priscilla in Rome. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. I honour you as a young witness of the early Church. Amen.
Day 2: Purity
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Matt 5:8, Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, you are honoured for your purity. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Obtain for me a pure heart and help the young to keep themselves pure. Amen.
Day 3: Steadfast faith
Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: do manfully and be strengthened.
1 Cor 16:13, Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, watch ye, stand fast in the faith, do manfully, and be strengthened. Make me steadfast in faith when it is tested or mocked. Amen.
Day 4: The Curé of Ars
But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong.
1 Cor 1:27, Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, St John Vianney, the Curé of Ars, loved you and gave you credit for many graces. God chooses the weak things of the world. Pray for priests, that they may be holy shepherds like him. Amen.
Day 5: Miracles
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues.
Mark 16:17, Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, many graces have been reported through your prayers. Christ promised that signs would follow those who believe. Obtain for me, if it be God's will, the grace I ask in this novena. Amen.
Day 6: Young witness
Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity.
1 Tim 4:12, Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, young witness to Christ, let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the faithful. Bless the young people of our parishes, and make them brave witnesses to Jesus. Amen.
Day 7: Courage
Behold I command thee, take courage, and be strong. Fear not, and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go to.
Jos 1:9 [Josh 1:9], Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, be strong and of good courage; fear not, for the Lord thy God is with thee. Obtain for me courage to do God's will and to stand by the truth. Amen.
Day 8: Simplicity
At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones.
Matt 11:25, Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, Jesus thanked the Father for revealing his mysteries to little ones. Give me a simple faith and a humble heart that rests in God. Amen.
Day 9: Thanks
Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name:
Ps 99:4 [Ps 100:4], Douay-Rheims
St Philomena, go into his gates with praise, give glory to him. I thank God for the graces received through your prayers. Lead me always to Jesus. Amen.
Scripture
Douay-Rheims numbering (modern in brackets): 1 Cor 16:13; 1 Cor 1:27; 1 Tim 4:12; Jos 1:9 [Josh 1:9]; Mark 16:17; Matt 11:25; Matt 5:8; Ps 115:15 [Ps 116:15]; Ps 99:4 [Ps 100:4]. Scripture index
Source
Written for The Crusade, 2026. How we check sources