Saint Philomena, Virgin, Martyr
Powerful With God

Patron Saint of: Children of Mary, children, young girls, et al
Feast Day: 11 August

The above picture is of sufficient quality to copy and frame.

Saint Philomena
Virgin, Martyr and Wonder Worker
Patroness of Youths

The very name of Philomena contains the words: filia luminis, daughter of light. She is the enlightener of a dark and corrupt age, confounding the sneers of materialism. She is the Patroness of the Children of Mary. Her mission today is to draw us to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through imitation of her heroic virtues of purity, obedience and humility. Saint Philomena is an anchor of HOPE in this dark age of despair, clearly marked by occultism, modernism, materialism, spiritism, despair and a general falling away from the Faith. Never have the powers of darkness been so strong, since the beginning of Christianity, as they are today. Saint Philomena is the New Light of the Church Militant! This title was bestowed upon her by St Jean Marie Vianney, heroic confessor and patron of all parish priests.

Little, indeed, is known historically of Saint Philomena. Her real history commenced when her blessed remains were found in 1802, after having rested in the obscurity of the Catacombs of St Priscilla for some seventeen hundred years. But God is wonderful in His saints, and Saint Philomena strikingly exemplifies this oft-repeated truth. After allowing her name and memory to be buried with her earthly remains for centuries, He suddenly brought the attention of mankind to this little maiden-martyr, and now He works astounding prodigies in her name, as if wishing to show that He wills in this way to recompense the long time He allowed her to remain in obscurity. Truly, St Philomena is a powerful intercessor—seemingly held quietly in reserve by Our Divine Lord during these many centuries—for especially strong help in our times, when so much confusion and absence of faith are manifest. In an act unprecedented in the history of Catholicism, she became the only person recognized by the Church as a Saint solely on the basis of her powerful intercession, since nothing historical was known of her except her name and the evidence of her martyrdom.

St Philomena has been successfully invoked by her supplicants in every sort of need, such that she has become another patron of hopeless and "impossible" cases, like St Jude or St Rita, but she is known to be especially powerful in cases involving conversion of sinners, return to the Sacraments, expectant mothers, destitute mothers, problems with children, unhappiness in the home, sterility, priests and their work, help for the sick, the missions, real estate, money problems, food for the poor and mental illness. But truly, as her devotees have discovered, no case, of whatever matter, is too trivial or too unimportant to concern her.

"Our accursed enemy is this great Virgin and Martyr, St Philomena. Devotion to her is a new and terrible warfare to hell." (devils during exorcism)

Saint Philomena's relics were unearthed at the beginning of the 19th century, on May 24, 1802. Cut on the tomb of the saint were the emblems of a lily and a palm, to indicate her virginity and her martyrdom. There were also an anchor, a scourge, and three arrows, two pointing in opposite directions, and one with a curved line upon it, signifying fire, and intended to symbolize the different torments which the martyr endured in testimony of her faith in and love of Jesus Christ.

Saint Philomena was formally "raised to the Altar" by Pope Gregory XVI in an infallible statement made publicly in the name of Holy Mother the Church for the edification of all the faithful and for the glory of God in time and eternity. The Pope was himself a witness to the miraculous cure of Pauline Jaricot, foundress of the Living Rosary, at Saint Philomena's shrine in Mugnano, Italy

The story of Saint Philomena's life is based on private revelations made by the saint in 1863 to three different persons, in answer to the prayers of many of Saint Philomena's clients to let them know who she was and how she met martyrdom. Those favored persons were a young artist of good morals and a pious life, a zealous priest, and a devout nun of Naples, the Venerable Mother Mary Louisa of Jesus. While the Holy See does not guarantee the authenticity of the purported revelations, the Holy Office gave its sanction to their dissemination on December 21, 1883.

The Discovery of Her Relics

Saint Philomena's relics were unearthed at the beginning of the 19th century. On May 24, 1802, during the excavations which are continually being made in the Roman Catacombs, an earthen tomb was brought to light. Three tiles, set together, closed the entrance, and on them was an inscription which seemed to be:

LUMENA PAXTE CUM FI

The letters were in red paint and surrounded with Christian symbols. After a little study it was evident that these tiles had been disarranged, either because they were put in place in too great haste, or because someone not familiar with Latin had laid them in the wrong order. For, properly arranged, they read:

PAXTE CUM FI LUMENA
(Pax tecum Filumena!)
PEACE BE TO YOU PHILOMENA!

When, on the following day, the stone slabs were removed, there was found within the burial place a thin, half-broken vase, whose inner wall was covered with congealed blood. It was blood which had been collected at the death of the martyr, according to the custom of the Christians during the persecutions, and placed with the remains as a testimonial to her death by martyrdom. This blood was loosened from the broken pieces of the vase to which it adhered, and was carefully placed in a crystal urn. Those present, among whom were men of great learning, were amazed to see that these little particles of blood, as soon as they fell into the urn, glittered like burnished gold or silver, or shone like diamonds and precious jewels, or, again, were resplendent in all colors of the rainbow. This extraordinary phenomenon continues to the present day.

Cut on the tomb of the saint were the emblems of a lily and a palm, to indicate her virginity and her martyrdom. There were also an anchor, a scourge, and three arrows, two pointing in opposite directions, and one with a curved line upon it, signifying fire, and intended to symbolize the different torments which the martyr endured in testimony of her faith in and love of Jesus Christ.

Translation of Her Holy Remains

After the relics of the saint had been exhumed, they were left at Rome until 1805. At that time Canon Francis de Lucia of Mugnano, a small town near Naples, visited the Eternal City. He was filled with the ardent desire of procuring the relics of some martyred saint for his private chapel. Since the Bishop of Potenza, whom he had accompanied to Rome, supported his petition, Canon Francis de Lucia was allowed to visit the Treasury of Relics, a large hall where the exhumed remains of several saints were preserved. On pausing before the relics of Saint Philomena, he was suddenly filled with an unaccountable spiritual joy, and at once begged for them. It was with some difficulty that the relics were finally consigned to him, since it was contrary to custom to bestow such treasures on a simple priest. Through the negotiations of a friend, the body of another saint was at first given to him, which he accepted with reluctance.

In the meantime, Canon de Lucia became very ill. He prayed to Saint Philomena and was instantly cured. This renewed his attempts to procure her relics, and shortly after, the insurmountable difficulties to his possessing them were overcome, whereupon he had them taken to Naples. The travelers lodged in the house of a good friend in that city. There the relics were encased in a statue of the saint, especially made for the purpose, and this in turn was placed in a wooden casket. Soon many miracles took place. Lady Angela Rose, the mistress of the house, had suffered twelve years from an incurable disease; she begged the saint's intercession and was instantly healed. Others, too, obtained wonderful cures.

Transfer of Her Relics to Mugnano

On the 10th of August, 1805, the relics of the saint were transferred to Mugnano, a hill town near Naples and the home of Canon de Lucia. Continuous miracles of every kind accompanied this transfer. The day before their arrival, at the prayers of the inhabitants, a plentiful rain refreshed the fields and meadows of Mugnano after a long season of drought. Lord Michael Ulpicella, a lawyer, who had not been able to leave his room for six weeks, had himself carried to the relics and returned home completely cured. A lady of rank had a cancerous ulcer on her hand which required an operation. A relic of the saint was brought to her. In the evening she placed it on the wound. The following morning, when the surgeon arrived to operate, he found to his surprise that the wound had disappeared.

Saint Philomena's shrine at Mugnano became the scene of the most marvelous prodigies. Among these was the cure of Pauline Jaricot, which is known as the "Great Miracle of Mugnano". It was this cure which, after a long and mature deliberation, led to the formal approval of the cult of Saint Philomena by Pope Gregory XVI, who declared it a first class miracle. The Pope, in his decree, called the saint "The Thaumaturga (Wonder Worker) of the Nineteenth Century". This title, as thousands attest, she deserves no less in our day, for her miracles are as numerous and as brilliant as ever.

Saint Philomena's Story

as revealed to Mother Mary Louisa of Jesus*
(courtesy of the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena)

"My dear sister, I (Philomena) am the daughter of a prince who governed a small state in Greece. My mother was also of royal blood; and as they were without children, and they both still idolaters, in order to obtain some, they used continually to offer to their false gods sacrifices and prayers. A doctor from Rome, named Publius, now in Paradise, lived in the palace in the service of my father; he professed Christianity. Seeing the affliction of my parents, and moved at their blindness, and by the impulse of the Holy Ghost, he spoke to them of our faith, and even promised them posterity if they consented to receive baptism. The grace which accompanied his words enlightened their understanding, and triumphed over their will; they became Christians, and obtained the long desired happiness that Publius had promised them as the reward of their conversion.

At the moment of my birth they gave the name of Lumena, in allusion to the light of faith, of which I had been, as it were, the fruit; and the day of my baptism they called me Filumena, or daughter of light because on that day I was born to the faith. The affection which my parents bore me was so great that they would have me always with them. It was on this account that they carried me with them to Rome, on a journey that my father was obliged to make on the occasion of an unjust war with which he was threatened by the haughty Dioclesian. I was then thirteen years old. Being arrived in the capital of the world, we three proceeded to the palace of the emperor, and were admitted to an audience.

As soon as Dioclesian saw me his eyes were fixed upon me...

As soon as Dioclesian saw me his eyes were fixed upon me; he appeared to be prepossessed in this manner during the entire time that my father was stating with animated feelings everything that could serve for his defense. As soon as he had ceased to speak, the emperor desired him to be no longer disturbed but that, banishing all fear, he should think only of living in happiness. 'I shall place at your disposal all the force of the empire, and shall ask in return only one thing, that is, the hand of your daughter.' My father, dazzled with an honor he was far from expecting, willingly acceded on the spot to the proposal of the emperor, and when we had returned to our own dwelling, my father and mother did all they could to induce me to yield to Dioclesian's wishes, and to theirs.

"What!" said I to them, "do you wish that for the love of a man I should break the promise I made two years since to Jesus Christ?"

'What!' said I to them, 'do you wish that for the love of a man I should break the promise I made two years since to Jesus Christ? My virginity belongs to Him, I can no longer dispose of it. 'But you were then too young,' answered my father, 'to form such an engagement', and he joined the most terrible threats to the command that he gave me to accept the hand of Dioclesian. The grace of my God rendered me invincible, and my father, not being able to make the emperor allow of the reasons he alleged, in order to disengage himself from the promise he had given, was obliged, by his order, to bring me into his presence.

I had to withstand for some moments beforehand a new attack from my father's anger and affection. My mother, uniting her efforts to his, endeavored to conquer my resolution. Caresses, threats, everything was employed to reduce me to compliance. At last I saw both of them fall at my knees, and say to me with tears in their eyes, 'My child, have pity on thy father, thy mother, thy country, our subjects.' 'No, no,' I answered them; 'God and that virginity which I have vowed to Him, before everything; before you, before my country! My kingdom is heaven.' My words plunged them into despair, and they brought me before the emperor, who on his part, did all in his power to win me; but his promises, his allurements, his threats, were equally useless. He then got into a violent fit of anger, and influenced by the devil, he had me cast into one of the prisons of his palace, where I was forthwith loaded with chains.

Thinking that pain and shame would weaken the courage that my divine Spouse inspired me with, he came to see me every day; and then, after having my chains loosed, that I might take the small portion of bread and water which I received as food, he renewed his attacks, some of which, if not for the grace of God, would have been fatal to purity.

I ceased not to recommend myself to Jesus and His most pure Mother

The defeats which he always experienced were for me the preludes to new tortures; but prayer supported me; I ceased not to recommend myself to Jesus and His most pure Mother. My captivity had lasted thirty seven days, when, in the midst of a heavenly light, I saw Mary holding her divine Son in her arms. 'My daughter,' said she to me, 'three days more of prison and, after forty days, thou shalt leave this state of pain.' Such happy news made my heart beat with joy, but as the Queen of angels had added that I should quit my prison, to sustain, in frightful torments a combat far more terrible than those preceding, I fell instantly from joy to the most cruel anguish; I thought it would kill me. 'Have courage, my child,' said Mary then to me; 'art thou unaware of the love of predilection that I bare to thee? The name which thou receivedst in baptism is the pledge of it, by the resemblance which it has to that of my Son and to mine. Thou art called Lumena, as thy Spouse is called Light, Star, Sun as I myself am called Aurora, Star, the Moon in the fullness of its brightness, and Sun. Fear not, I will aid thee. Now Nature whose weakness humbles thee, asserts its law; in the moment of combat, grace will come to lend thee its force, and thy angel, who was also mine, Gabriel, whose name expresses force, will come to thy succor; I will recommend thee especially to his care, as the well-beloved among my children.' These words of the Queen of virgins gave me again courage, and the vision disappeared, leaving my prison filled with a celestial perfume.

What she had announced to me was soon realized. Dioclesian, despairing of bending me, took the resolution of having me publicly tortured, and the first torment to which he condemned me was to be scourged. 'Since she is not ashamed,' said he, 'to prefer, to an emperor like me, a malefactor, condemned by his own nation to an infamous death, she deserves that my justice shall treat her as he was treated.' He then ordered my clothes to be taken off, and that I should be tied to a column; and, in the presence of a great number of gentlemen of his court, he had me beaten with such violence, that my body, bathed in blood, appeared but one single wound. The tyrant, perceiving that I was going to faint and die had me removed from his eyes, and dragged again to prison, where he believed I would breathe out my last sigh.

But he was disappointed, as I was also in the delightful hope of going quickly to rejoin my Spouse, for two angels, shining with light, appeared to me, and pouring a health-giving balm upon my wounds, rendered me more vigorous than I had been before the torture. The next morning the emperor was informed of it; he had me brought into his presence, viewed me with astonishment, and then sought to persuade me that I owed my cure to the Jupiter whom he adored. 'He desires positively,' said he, 'that you should be empress of Rome.' And, joining to these seductive words promises of the greatest honors, and the most flattering caresses, he endeavored to complete the work of  hell which he had begun; but the divine Spirit, to whom I am indebted for my constancy, filled me at the moment with so much light and knowledge, that to all the proofs which I gave of the solidity of our faith, neither Dioclesian nor any of his courtiers could give any answer whatever. Then his frenzy came on anew, and he commanded me to be buried, with an anchor to my neck, in the waters of the Tiber. The order was executed, but God permitted that it should not succeed; for, at the moment in which I was precipitated into the river, two angels came again to my succor, and, after having cut the rope that bound me to the anchor, while the anchor fell to the bottom of the Tiber, where it has remained till the present time, they transported me gently, in the view of an immense multitude, upon the banks of the river.

This miracle worked happy effects upon a great number of spectators, and they were converted to the faith...

This miracle worked happy effects upon a great number of spectators, and they were converted to the faith; but Dioclesian, attributing it to secret magic, had me dragged through the streets of Rome, and then ordered that I should be shot in a shower of arrows. I was stuck all over with them; my blood flowed on all sides; when he commanded me, exhausted and dying, to be carried back to my dungeon. Heaven honored me with a new favor there. I fell into a sweet sleep, and I found myself, on awaking, perfectly cured. Dioclesian learns it. 'Well, then,' he cried, in a fit of rage, 'let her be pierced with sharp darts a second time, and let her die in that torture.' They hastened to obey him. The archers bent their bows, they gathered all their strength; but the arrows refused to second their intentions. The emperor was present; he became enraged at the sight; he called me a magician, and, thinking that the action of fire could destroy the enchantment, he ordered the darts to be made red in a furnace, and directed a second time against me. It was done, indeed; but those darts, after having gone over a part of the space which they were to cross to come to me, took quite a contrary direction, and returned to strike those by whom they had been hurled. Six of the archers were killed by them, and several among them renounced paganism, and the people began to render public testimony to the power of the God that had protected me.

These murmurs and acclamations made the tyrant fear some more painful accident; he therefore hastened to terminate my days, by ordering my head to be cut off. Thus did my soul take flight toward my heavenly Spouse, who placed me, with the crown of virginity and the palm of martyrdom, in a distinguished rank among the elect, who partake of the enjoyment of His divine presence. The day that was so happy for me, and saw me enter into glory, was a Friday, and the hour of my death was the third after mid-day, (that is to say, the same hour that saw my divine master expire)."

*While the Holy See does not guarantee the authenticity of this purported revelation, the Holy Office gave its sanction for dissemination on December 21, 1883.

Saint Philomena, Powerful With God

as revealed to Mother Mary Louisa of Jesus*
(courtesy of the Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena)

Saint Philomena does not desire honor for herself, but seeks only to give glory to God in whatever way she can draw souls to Him. In a purported revelation to Mother Mary Louisa of Jesus, when the nun was kneeling in front of the altar in the church and thinking how much Saint Philomena had suffered, the little martyr said to her in the depths of her soul: "Meditate on the Passion of the Redeemer and compassionate Him who alone suffered intensely. I only suffered a little because Jesus Christ had suffered for us."

Saint Philomena does not desire honor for herself, but seeks only to give glory to God in whatever way she can draw souls to Him

The nun on another occasion asked the saint in prayer to thank God for a grace she had obtained through her intercession. Philomena promised to do so, and added that Mother Mary Louisa should in turn recite the Gloria Patri three times in thanksgiving to the Blessed Trinity for the graces given to her during the time of her martyrdom, by which the Lord made Himself her strong shield and caused her to be rapt in ecstasy for three hours so that she did not know what torments the tyrants sought to inflict upon her until the clamor of the people brought her back to her senses and she was forthwith beheaded.

When Mother Mary Louisa of Jesus asked Saint Philomena to teach her some devotion that would be acceptable to her, she heard an interior voice saying: "Recite the Creed three times: once for the perseverance ce of the just, once for the conversion of sinners, and a third time for the return of heretics and infidels to the Faith." Another time St. Philomena told Mother Mary Louisa that she had been preserved from death in the midst of tortures because she was not satisfied in offering up one single life, but desired to have a thousand lives to offer to her Spouse, and He had now given her as much glory as if she had really done so.

"We realize", said Philomena, "that we are before God as so many vases of honor, some larger, some smaller. The vases of our souls dilate according to the desire to love God that we had when we were on earth."

Saint Philomena also explained the wonderful power of her intercession when asked what was the difference between the essential glory of the saints and their accidental glory. "We realize", said Philomena, "that we are before God as so many vases of honor, some larger, some smaller. The vases of our souls dilate according to the desire to love God that we had when we were on earth. As soon as we are brought into the presence of God, each vase is filled to the brim with knowledge and love of Him. This plenitude is what is called essential glory, and this, through all eternity, cannot be enlarged or diminished. God Himself can put in the hearts of the faithful to pray to Him through His saints; and then graces descend from Him like limpid water, falling on our vases. But being already full, they cannot contain it, wherefore the water splashes from them and falls down on the earth and on you who are pilgrims. This glory is called accidental, and can increase or diminish. But in either case we lose nothing. Always we give glory to God."

Our Lady replied: "To Philomena nothing is refused."

One night, Mother Mary Louisa had a vision in which she saw Our Lady and Saint Philomena. The "dear little saint" confided her to the protection of the Mother of God saying: "Stand firm beneath the protection of Mary." Again, she saw Saint Philomena laying her crown before Mary's throne saying: "Lady of Heaven, I am come to ask grace." Whereupon she solicited more than thirty graces for different persons. Our Lady replied: "To Philomena nothing is refused." St. Gabriel wrote down the concessions with a golden pen. Then the saint turned to Mother Mary Louisa and asked: "Have you seen how this was done? I asked the graces from Mary, and through Mary they were granted to me.

* These revelations have received the Imprimatur of the Holy Office, which means simply that the Church has pronounced them free from anything contrary to the Faith. It does not pronounce further.

 

Prayers to Saint Philomena

"My children, Saint Philomena has great power with God, and she has, moreover, a kind heart; let us pray to her with confidence. Her virginity and generosity in embracing her heroic martyrdom have rendered her so agreeable to God that He will never refuse her anything that she asks for us." -- Saint John Vianney

 

Novena Prayer to Saint Philomena (Version 1)

O FAITHFUL VIRGIN, and glorious martyr, Saint Philomena, who works so many miracles on behalf of the poor and sorrowing, have pity on me. Thou knowest the multitude and diversity of my needs. Behold me at thy feet, full of misery, but full of hope. I entreat thy charity, O Great Saint! Graciously hear me and obtain from God a favorable answer to the request which I now humbly lay before thee... (Here specify your petition).  I am firmly convinced that through thy merits, through the scorn, the sufferings and death of Jesus, thy Spouse, I shall obtain what I ask of thee, and in the joy of my heart I will bless God, Who is admirable in His Saints.

Amen.

Novena Prayer to Saint Philomena (Version 2)

We beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant us the pardon of our sins by the intercession of Saint Philomena, virgin and martyr, who was always pleasing in Thy sight by her eminent chastity and by the profession of every virtue. Amen.

Illustrious virgin and martyr, Saint Philomena, behold me prostrate before the throne whereupon it has pleased the Most Holy Trinity to place thee. Full of confidence in thy protection, I entreat thee to intercede for me with God. Ah, from the heights of Heaven deign to cast a glance upon thy humble client! Spouse of Christ, sustain me in suffering, fortify me in temptation, protect me in the dangers surrounding me, obtain for me the graces necessary to me, and in particular (Here specify your petition). Above all, assist me at the hour of my death. Saint Philomena, powerful with God, pray for us.

Amen.

O God, Most Holy Trinity, we thank Thee for the graces Thou didst bestow upon the Blessed Virgin Mary, and upon Thy handmaid Philomena, through whose intercession we implore Thy Mercy.

Amen.

THE LEGION OF SAINT PHILOMENA

The most solid yet least used practice of showing honor and devotion to the saints is that of imitating their virtues, thereby rendering ourselves worthy of their intercession and favors, and of the enjoyment of eternal good. We wish to share in their joy without sharing in their suffering. Being most anxious to interest Saint Philomena in our cause, let us meditate on her life, contemplate her sufferings and reflect on the heroism of her death. Beg of her the light and grace to apply to our state the virtues which she championed. Let us take courage and uproot from our hearts the vices and defects which oppose her virtues, while practicing the habits which perfect them and for which she is eternally honored.

LITANY TO SAINT PHILOMENA

Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of Virgins, have mercy on us.

Saint Philomena, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, filled with the most abundant graces from your very birth, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, faithful imitator of Mary, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, model of Virgins, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, temple of the most perfect humility,
pray for us.

Saint Philomena, inflamed with zeal for the Glory of God, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, victim of the love of Jesus, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, example of strength and perseverance, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, invincible champion of chastity,
pray for us.

Saint Philomena, mirror of the most heroic virtues,
pray for us.

Saint Philomena, firm and intrepid in the face of torments, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, scourged like your Divine Spouse,
pray for us.

Saint Philomena, pierced by a shower of arrows,
pray for us.

Saint Philomena, consoled by the Mother of God when in chains, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, cured miraculously in prison, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, comforted by angels in your torments, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, who preferred torments and death to the splendors of a throne, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, who converted the witnesses of your martyrdom, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, who wore out the fury of your executioners, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, protectress of the innocent, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, patron of youth, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, refuge of the unfortunate, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, health of the sick and the weak,
pray for us.

Saint Philomena, new light of the church militant,
pray for us.

Saint Philomena, who confounds the impiety of the world, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, who stimulates the faith and courage of the faithful, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, whose name is glorified in Heaven and feared in Hell, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, made illustrious by the most striking miracles, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, all powerful with God, pray for us.

Saint Philomena, who reigns in glory, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
   spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
   graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
   have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, Great Saint Philomena,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ

Let us pray

We implore Thee, O Lord, by the intercession of Saint Philomena, Virgin and Martyr, who was ever most pleasing to Thy eyes by reason of her eminent purity and the practice of all the virtues, pardon us our sins and grant us all the graces we need (and name any special grace you may require).

Amen.

_{Composed by Saint John Vianney}