The Short and Amazing Life of St. Philomena Quiz

Answer: Daughter of light

Philomena is the enlightener of a dark and corrupt world. Her name was originally spelled Filumena. This is now more commonly understood to be a Romanisation of a Greek word meaning beloved.

Answer: Purity, obedience, and humility

One can be drawn to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through imitation of the three virtues above.

Answer: 1500 yrs.

Her remains were discovered in the Catacombs of St. Priscilla. They were found on May 24, 1802.

Answer: Lily and Palm

The Lily and the Palm are symbols indicating her virginity and martyrdom. Also found carved on her tomb were an anchor, a scourge, and three arrows. These indicated the ways she was tortured prior to her death.

Answer: 3

The private revelations were made by St. Philomena in 1863 to three different people. The Holy Office gave its sanction of these revelations on December 21, 1883. The three individuals who received the story led pious lives. One was a nun, one was a priest, and one was an artist.

Answer: Rome

Her father had to make the journey to Rome. He was the prince of a small city/state in Greece. This small country was threatened by war with Rome thus making the trip necessary.

Answer: No

Her parents were upset at not being able to have children. They were pagans. A man named Publius who lived in their palace professed Christianity. He spoke to them of conversion. They converted to Christianity, and soon afterwards Philomena was born. They were delighted as Publius had promised her birth if they converted to Christianity.

Answer: True

Diocletian took an immediate liking to young Philomena. He offered to provide Philomena's father with protection in exchange for Philomena's hand in marriage. Both of her parents were flattered by the proposal. They encouraged Philomena to accept the proposal. Philomena was very upset as she had given her life to Jesus two years prior, and had no intention of marrying anyone.

She explained to her parents that she had promised her virginity to Jesus Christ. Her father argued she was too young to make such a decision.

Her father might have relented, but he had already accepted the offer made by Diocletian.

Answer: Thrown into a prison while loaded down with chains

Diocletian promised many great things to Philomena if she would marry him. When she repeatedly refused he threw her into one of his many prisons and used heavy chains to keep her tied down. He thought this would weaken her spirit, but she continued to refuse him. This enraged him further.

Answer: Blessed Mother Mary

Young Philomena saw a heavenly light. Mother Mary was standing before her with the baby Jesus in Her arms. Philomena revealed Mary said to her 'My daughter, three days more of prison and, after forty days, thou shalt leave this state of pain.' Philomena was overjoyed until Mary informed her the torture she would endure would be far greater than what she had already experienced.

Answer: A public scourging

The Blessed Mother's words soon came true, and Philomena was publicly humiliated. After being scourged in public, she was again thrown into prison. Diocletian thought she would soon breathe her last sigh. She prayed the ordeal would soon be over.

Answer: False

Philomena did receive help, but not from the Blessed Mother. Two angels appeared in her cell and offered assistance. They bathed the wounds she received from the scourging in balm. A day later, she was restored to wonderful health, much to Diocletian's chagrin.

He thought she had been restored to health by Jupiter whom he adored. Again, he tried to persuade her to marry him. She refused, and he vowed to kill her once and for all.

Answer: Anchor tied around her neck and thrown into the Tiber

Diocletian ordered Philomena to be buried in the Tiber with an anchor around her neck. His order was executed, but once again two angels appeared to rescue Philomena. The angels cut the rope bearing the anchor around her neck. It fell to the bottom of the Tiber.

The anchor is thought to lie there to this day. The angels escorted her to the banks of the river. Many citizens who witnessed the miracle were converted to Christianity. Diocletian attributed the miracle to secret magic. He then had her dragged through the streets of Rome.

Answer: True

After being dragged through the streets of Rome, Diocletian ordered Philomena to be shot with arrows. The first round of arrows struck her whole body. She was taken bleeding to her dungeon cell where they expected her to die. She fell into a deep sleep and awoke cured. Diocletian upon hearing the news, demanded she be shot with a second round of arrows.

The archers sent the arrows flying towards Philomena, but the arrows diverted from their intended course. Diocletian became outraged, and declared Philomena a magician.

He ordered the arrows to be made red in the furnace prior to piercing Philomena. The arrows which were now extremely hot were launched at poor Philomena. Unexpectedly, they again diverted in their intended direction and actually pierced the archers who had launched them. Six archers were killed, and several other archers renounced paganism. Those present began to speak publicly of the power of the God who had protected Philomena. Philomena, through her pain and suffering had been responsible for many conversions.

Answer: She was beheaded

Finally, Diocletian ordered her beheaded. At last, Philomena's soul took flight and she joined Jesus in heaven. The day this took place was on a Friday, and the hour of her death was the same as Jesus' on the cross. Pretty amazing!