If she was considered to be a saint by St. John Vianney (the Curé d'Ars) then I'm not going to stop praying to her just because someone (who probably doesn't believe miracles are even possible) says that she didn't exist. I'll take the side of a canonised saint over a modernist sceptic any day.
Fortunately, my Parish Priest is quite keen on St. Philomena, and so yesterday we had a Mass in her honour. The Latin Mass Society gave a grant towards the expenses of a schola, and we had a wonderfully uplifting Solemn High Mass.
The Schola Sanctae Scholasticae sang Tomas Luis de Victoria's Missa O Quam Gloriosum, and his motet O Quam Gloriosum, as well as Tallis' O Sacrum Convivium and the Gregorian propers. It was great to be able to allow the music lift one's heart and mind to God while watching the awesome Mystery unfold on the Sanctuary. We are created body and soul, and so the external "trappings" of the Liturgy are so very important for the worship of God: the material aspects are not just optional add ons, but are integral to the action of the Liturgy.
I took some photos during the Mass, and they are on Flickr in the St. Philomena 2016 album.
If you want to read more about St. Philomena, I can recommend the excellent summary on Zephyrinus' blog.
The Schola Sanctae Scholasticae have been instrumental in setting up the Gregorian Chant Hymns website, which, by making various recordings and other resources freely available, is dedicated to promoting the learning and singing of Gregorian chant in the liturgy.
If St. John Vianney, role model for all priests, had a devotion to St. Philomena, then this Irish priest should learn more about her, and pray for her intercession. Thank you for this post.
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