Anniversary of the discovery of the body of Saint Philomena

The body of Saint Philomena was discovered on May 25, 1802, the second year of the pontificate of Pope Pius VII.

On May 24, 1802, the excavators at the catacombs of Priscilla in Rome were working to rid the area from materials and rubble built up over the centuries and had reached its center. This was not far from the Greek Chapel, very close to the skylight. One of them, who remains unknown, was removing soil from one of the tunnels and hit some tiles which had sealed a funeral niche.

On the three tiles that sealed the tomb, was the inscription “LUMENA – PAX TE – CUM FI” and the following symbols:

* two anchors, * three arrows, * a palm , * a lily

The richness of the traditional meaning of these images is very striking. It is now certain that the first terracotta tile was installed in the wrong place, altering the correct inscription which is “PAX TECUM FILUMENA” meaning “Peace be with you Philomena.”

On these tiles, in a perfect state of preservation, could be seen a palm branch, one of the symbols of martyrdom.

Following instructions received by Monsignor Ponzetti, the worker stopped and went to report his finding to Fr. Filippo Ludovice, a second caretaker.

On May 25, 1802, Fr. Ludovice, accompanied by many witnesses, including another priest, went down in the catacombs. Under his supervision, the excavator kept digging, finding the funeral stone of a small tomb which looked like one of a young child.

It was sealed with three clay tiles on which were written: “LUMENA – PAX TE – CUM FI”. Also engraved were two anchors, three arrows, a palm and a flower. Also in the niche was a broken vial containing a blackish, dried up residue. The venerable relics were carefully wrapped in five layers and were placed in a duly authenticated wooden box. They were transferred with the usual formalities to the Treasury of Sacred Relics in Rome. The tiles were taken first to the College Massimo of the Jesuits in Rome and later to the Museum of Christian Antiquities in the Vatican.

The sacred body of Saint Philomena, the precious blood she shed for her love of Christ, and the tiles of the tomb are presently enshrined within the walls of the 400-year old Sanctuary at Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy,  18 miles (30 kilometers) east of Naples.  The Altar of the Sacred Body of Saint Philomena is lit day and night by a perpetual oil lamp.