Page 2, 5th May 1961

5th May 1961

Page 2

Page 2, 5th May 1961 — PASSING OF ST. PHILOMENA
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PASSING OF ST. PHILOMENA

SIR,-As a Catholic, I felt a little worried when my eyes fell on a headline in a Birmingham daily paper, which read "St. George is 'demoted' by the Vatican."
Having read the item, I bmime very disturbed at the following "Another saint, Philomena, has been struck from the roll because her existence cannot be proved. The name (St. Philomena) was given lo relics found in the Roman Catacomb of St. Priscilla in 1802 and believed to belong to an early Christian martyr."
1 was always of the opinion that before a person was canonised. all details concerning the holiness of the life. and any miracles following devotion was essential.
I was born in a country where booklets concerning the great sanctity of St. Philomena were sold, and where numerous cures had been attributed to her intercession. Now, we read that the name of St. Philomena has been struck off the roll because her existence cannot be proved. Why is this?
Patrick Bartley McGovern
19 Lime Grove, Birmingham, 12.
Veneration of early Christian martyrs is based on tradition, for the process of canonisation only started to rhe tenth century. Modern historical and archaeological stady has thrown doubts on the authenticity of some of these traditions, and the Sacred Congregation of Rites has decided to remove names where there are serious doubts about authenticity. II Is sad that the popular St. Philomena should be among these, but those who have had a special devotion to her need not worry, either about the past or the future. Their prayers are heard by God. When we pray to the saints we pray that they may pray to God for us. So if Philomena never existed, we may be sure that it nos God to tehom we were praying and it was from God that our prows derived their spiritual value .-EDITOR, "CH."




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