Saint Philomena: Powerful With God

by Sr. Marie Helene Mohr S.C.

The early Roman virgin-martyr whose bones were discovered in 1802. She immediately began answering prayers, with so many favors and miracles being granted that she was raised to sainthood by Pope Gregory XVI—becoming the only person recognized by the Church as a saint solely on the basis of her powerful intercession, since nothing is known of her except her name and the evidence of her martyrdom. A great intercessor for all needs! 160 pgs, PB

Genres: Religion, Biography, Catholic, Christian

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book at the library catalogued as a children's book so I decided to read it to make sure it wasn't actually a children's book. It is definitely not a children's book. The concept of sainthood is interesting. I'll leave it at that.

[Fr. Jeffrey Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful and thorough understanding of the veneration of St. Philomena. I did not previously realize that she was a saint whose bones we found in 1802, but whose life is only known through miraculous revelation.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the remarkable story of the finding of a martyr's remains in 1802 at the catacomb of Priscilla at Rome, its transferral to a shrine in Mugnano, Italy, and the many miracles attributed to the intercession of St. Philomena. The shrine in Italy is still active although every shrine in America which was active at the time of the writing of this book in 1952 has been destroyed. Mysteriously, the shrine at Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Pennsylvania which Sister Helene Mohr (the author) helped to build is now an open field, but the statue of St. Philomena has gone missing... I was very impressed by the amazing healing of soon to be Blessed Pauline Jaricot which which led Pope Gregory XVI to authorize the public cultus of St. Philomena. I thoroughly enjoyed this book but wish there were a more up to date version of it.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had great subject matter, but the whole package wasn't as readable as I'd like.

The author approached Saint Philomena from different angles: the discovery of her tomb and history of what happened to her remains afterwards, pious legend of her life story and martyrdom, miracles attributed to her, and portraits of communities and families devoted to her.

I found it hard to get through this whole book. It was written in the 1950's, and by today's standards it feels saccharinely pious, with too heavy a hand. I'd recommend this for someone wanting to delve deeply into the devotion surrounding Saint Philomena, or a student writing a report, but not for everyone. Recommended but with reservations on the form of the writing itself.

[Susan Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until I was given this book, I have never heard of this young Saint. The book really affected me and believe young girls should read it to build their faith. Excellent easy reading and was very hard to put down til I was finished. I will probably read again one day. Marked it up a lot lol.

[Elizabeth Hermesch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful testament to the ever-powerful Saint Philomena.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most complete work on St. Philomena I know of, and I've read lots of books about this canonized Virgin-Martyr. Lots of little facts I didn't even know about. Written in 1950, just a little hard to read for me with some antiquity and lots of Italian names and places, but certainly not a hindrance, just too me longer to read than usual.

[Joe Besserfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sister Marie Helene Mohr's "Saint Philomena: Powerful with God" is a nice introduction to a saint I knew nothing about. The book is 70 years old and reads like it but, overall, it delivers the goods on this great saint. I'm glad I came across this book.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved it! Awesome!

[Lauren Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Man’s will athwart God’s will makes a cross.”

“It is said that love transforms the true lover into a resemblance of the object of his passion.”

[Abdulla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heartfelt tribute to a saint whose legacy thrives on faith rather than fact.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books that summarises the history of the miracles attributed to the intercession of this wonderful Wee Saint. A fascinating read that covers ALOT of ground, from the story of the discovery of her loculus at the catacombs of Pricilla in Rome, the translation of her remains to her current resting place in Mungano del Cardinale.

It also charts the devotion to this saint across Europe & US, as well as relating numerous encouraging stories of the miracles obtained by her intercession. There is a few tales about her playful side when answering prayer where I couldn't but help but laugh and say "Yup! That's my Philomena!"

A must have book for devotees of this wonderful Wee Saint.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. When i picked to read it for school, i thought it would be about her life. There seems to be little known about her life, and this book was about other peoples experiences and miracles with her. It was alright, just not what I had expected.