Solemn celebrations in honor of
Saint Philomena V. e M.
MUGNANO DEL CARDINALE (AV)
AUGUST 2010

Triumph of Truth for the Feast of Saint Philomena 

Dear St. Philomena Devotee,

It is with great pleasure that I bring you this very special newsletter filled with glorious news about the united efforts, anointed by Our Lord, to promote our beloved St. Philomena. As we approach the grand August feast celebration held in Italy, the path of truth and justice has been illuminated for our worldwide family of devotees. This can only be described as a miracle granted by God, the Father, in His divine love for our dear wonder-worker who preserved her purity unto death in fulfillment of her promise to Jesus Christ. I am so pleased that the devotion to St. Philomena continues to increase to monumental heights. We are all joined together through our unified love for St. Philomena at her earthly home in Mugnano.

At the conclusion of this Year for Priests with our very own St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney as patron, I would like to first offer my humble thanks to all of the priests in our worldwide community who lovingly spread devotion to our Saint in their parishes and missions. May God continue to bless your priesthood. I know St. Philomena will remain at your side, as she did for St. Jean Vianney, ready to assist you in your virtuous service to Christ and His flock.

Feast Day Preparations

Our Sanctuary is not a wealthy one and we ask for your continued help and donations as we face the mounting expenses and tasks of maintaining this aging, earthly home of our Saint. In preparation for the August feast celebrations, we are specifically seeking a benefactor who would be willing to make a significant contribution to help fund these events.

In addition, we will have a follow-up announcement to this newsletter with the complete information about the devotional activities in the United States and a new vehicle for our U.S. devotees to use to make a tax deductable donation. Until then, please find details at the bottom of this newsletter on how you can currently make a donation.

For those of you who will be blessed with the opportunity to visit the Sanctuary during the Feast celebrations and for those who are unable to come in person but desire to join us spiritually from your own home, please see the full Feast program information below.

Special Note of Appreciation

I would like to thank the many members of the Archconfraternity who have contributed their steadfast support to special projects and amazing feats for the Sanctuary to promote devotion to St. Philomena. Your work behind the scenes throughout the years in your respective communities and countries are good deeds for the Kingdom of God that do not go unnoticed and will be acknowledged by Our Lord in Heaven. Your offerings of friendship, time and talents are a gift to me personally and to the Sanctuary and I want to assure you of my prayers in thanksgiving on this Feast Day and always.

As I continue to pray for unity and peace among our devotees, I have reflected on the many accomplishments realized over the past ten years of this millennium and I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank those who have previously worked with me: 

To Marie Burns for dedicating more than a decade of tireless and honest work to the Archconfraternity, Sanctuary and countless special projects for our Saint. 

To Richard Donley Fox for creating one of the best Websites for St. Philomena that I have seen and for his generosity in sharing his computer expertise to ensure St. Philomena and her Sanctuary are well-known and accessible to all devotees worldwide via the Internet. If not for his excellent efforts over the past several years, you would not be reading this newsletter today.

To Rosemary Campbell for her support and help with numerous projects and the many ways in which she has personally supported the Sanctuary and devotion of St. Philomena in excess of a decade.

To Mary Ann Matulis for dedicating more than a decade of work and personal sacrifice in spreading the devotion to St. Philomena in Australia.

To Marjie Truax for promoting devotion within Georgia for more than a decade and establishing the non-profit account for the Archconfraternity.

Also, I would like to acknowledge and thank the following people for their support of the Sanctuary through the Internet:

Bernadette Morris for her work to help build our online forum.

Sandrina Santos for the translation of the Website into Portuguese.

Rebecca Even for initiating a route to help support the restoration work of the Sanctuary.

Finally, it also brings me much happiness to announce the renewal of unity among several associations who also work for the devotion of St. Philomena.

The first is the Universal Living Rosary Association headquartered in Dickinson, Texas, directed by Richard and Patti Melvin. Members are unified in prayer through the Holy Rosary and help distribute Catholic literature and sacramental’s to some of the poorest nations. Their primary mission is the Daily Decade of the Rosary which is prayed by each member for the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This beautiful work was founded by Venerable Pauline Marie Jaricot, who was healed of a severe heart ailment through the powerful intercession of St. Philomena here at her Sanctuary. St. Philomena is Patroness of the Living Rosary.

The  Femmes Internationales Murs Brisés (FIMB) organization which works to support children worldwide under the protection and guidance of St. Philomena. 

Another association working to support our unified mission is The Family of St. Philomena which spreads devotion through special projects such as the production of a CD featuring music about St. Philomena and a vocal transcript of Dr. Mark Miravalle’s book, “It’s Time to Meet St. Philomena.” One of the musicians who contributed to this project through his song entitled, “Peace Be to You, Philomena,” recently visited the Sanctuary and said:

“I am very thankful our family could visit the Shrine of St. Philomena in Italy. Hospitality means so much when visiting a foreign land so the kindness and welcome we received from Msgr. Giovanni, the sisters, Matilda,  Fiorentina and others were a true gift from God. A highlight for me was singing two songs: 'Philomena'  and  'Salve Regina' right there in the Shrine. We plan to return if it is God's will; meanwhile we are telling others about St. Philomena as we continue our travels in the United States. Thank you, God, for the gift of St. Philomena!” - Michael John Poirier

After his visit, he made St. Philomena Patroness of his own apostolate “Prayer Breaks” (www.prayerbreaks.com).

While these groups do not presently support the Sanctuary financially, we are in discussions with them to determine how to maximize our joint efforts and increase devotion to St. Philomena. I pray that these associations with the Sanctuary will continue to be fruitful.

Above all, I want to extend to you a very blessed, joyful and spiritually enriching Feast celebration. Let us follow our guides, Our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Philomena, Daughter of Light, as we courageously give ourselves to Christ, the Light of the World, and fulfill His Holy Will for our lives.

Our Lord said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Please know that the intentions of your heart will be joined with mine at the Altar of St. Philomena on her Feast Day.

Sending you and your family my love and blessings.

                                                                                         Peace in Christ always,

                                                                                   Monsignor Giovanni Braschi

 

 

 

For U.S. Donations -

U.S. devotees can make a tax deductable donation to the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena and mail it to:

Archconfraternity of St. Philomena
1970 Bridle Ridge Trace
Roswell, GA. 30075-2162 , USA

 

You will receive a letter of acknowledgment and thanks when your donation is received.

 

 

Religious programme 2010

 

The Chapel where the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena lies,

within the Sanctuary in Mugnano del Cardinale (Av) Italy

 

 

 As the Feasts in honor to St. Philomena will also be celebrated in various parts of the world apart from the Sanctuary here in Mugnano del Cardinale (Av) Italy, where her Sacred body lies. We will be sending out a forthcoming separate  newsletter  with some of the feast programs and Masses which will be held in other places.

 

 

IF YOU WISH TO SEND A SMALL CONTRIBUTION DONATION TO HELP WITH THE COSTS OF THE FEAST IN HONOUR TO ST. PHILOMENA,

PLEASE CLICK THE FOLLOWING DONATION BUTTON

 

 

 

Some Pilgrims in visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena

 

 

Italian Pilgrim Group

 

 

Saint Philomena children’s football team of Mugnano del Cardinale (Avellino) Italy

 

 

 

Ulieta Eustatia and her daughter:  Claudette Vis-Eustatia . From Curacao this special  94 year old devotee’s great wish come true to Visit  the Sanctuary and Sacred Body of Saint Philomena.

 

Fr. Achille Zekre Dacoury from Cote D’Ivoire and

 his aunt Mme Marcelline Dacoury - Tabley from Senegal.

 

Pilgrim Group from Ireland guided by Pat Ryan.

 

 

 

 

Poirer Family

 

 

Please visit our official web site often and if possible sign up to our forum on our English website so we can send you our regular online newsletters, as it is continuous contact and news directly from the Sanctuary, keeping updated with all the worldwide events.

 

 

Support the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena
“To love Saint Philomena is to love Her Sanctuary Her home on earth”
If you can, please send a donation, if not pray for the works of the Sanctuary, tell people about them and spread the devotion to our Little Saint.

Ways to send a donation  
If you are able to send a donation please send it direct to the Sanctuary. This is possible through various methods.
By personal check payable to the “ Sanctuary of St. Philomena” and make sure to send it through registered or express mail to the Sanctuary's address which is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Online with credit card or through www.Paypal.com to the Sanctuary's
e-mail address: SantaFilomena@philomena.it you will find further information and full procedure on our web site under the heading donate or by clicking the following donation button.

 

 

By bank transfer to the Sanctuary's Bank account:
SANTUARIO SANTA FILOMENA
BANCA DELLA CAMPANIA – fil n° 0007
BANK ACCOUNT: n° 1279013
SWIFT CODE: BPMOIT22
IBAN: IT19L0539275790000001279013

 

Please contact the Sanctuary direct for any further information you require.

 

PLEASE PASS OUR NEWSLETTERS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AND OTHER DEVOTEES OF SAINT PHILOMENA YOU KNOW, TO KEEP THEM INFORMED OF THE REGULAR EVENTS AND NEWS DIRECT FROM THE SANCTUARY.

 

Universal Archconfraternity of the Saint Philomena
Headquarters
83027 Mugnano del Cardinale
Avellino, Italy
tel: 0039 081 825 7204
fax: 0039 081 511 2733
http://www.philomena.it
e-mail:SantaFilomena@philomena.it