Posted on 09/02/2003 7:12:34 AM PDT by Robert Drobot
Little is known of her life, and the information was have was received by private revelation from her. Martyred at about age 14 in the early days of the Church.
In 1802 the remains of a young woman were found in the catacomb of Saint Priscilla on the Via Salaria. It was covered by stones, the symbols on which indicated that the body was a martyr named Saint Philomena. The bones were exhumed, cataloged, and effectively forgotten since there was so little known about the person.
In 1805 Canon Francis de Lucia of Mugnano, Italy was in the Treasury of the Rare Collection of Christian Antiquity (Treasury of Relics) in the Vatican. When he reached the relics of Saint Philomena he was suddenly struck with a spiritual joy, and requested that he be allowed to enshrine them in a chapel in Mugnano. After some disagreements, settled by the cure of Canon Francis following prayers to Philomena, he was allowed to translate the relics to Mugnano. Miracles began to be reported at the shrine including cures of cancer, healing of wounds, and the Miracle of Mugnano in which Venerable Pauline Jaricot was cured a severe heart ailment overnight. Philomena became the only person recognized as a Saint solely on the basis of miraculous intercession as nothing historical was known of her except her name and the evidence of her martyrdom.
Prayer for intercession
From Psalm LXIX
Incline unto my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help Terri.
Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek her soul.
Let them be turned backward and blush for shame that desire evils to her.
Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame that say to me, "Tis well, 'tis well."
Let all that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; and let such as love Thy salvation say always, The Lord be magnified.
But Terri is in great need: O God, please help her.
Thou art my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, make no delay.
Gregory had the power of healing by laying on of his hands. Often the healing was so powerful that the patient was cured of his illness, and became a fervent convert on the spot.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa writes that the "Wonder-Worker" was the first person known to receive a vision of the Theotokus. The Virgin and Saint John the Baptist appeared to him in a vision, and gave him what became a statement of doctrine on the Trinity.
Prayer For Intercession
O great St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, you have been called "The Wonder-Worker," because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you. For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the healing and protection desperately neded for your faithful servant Terri Schindler-Schiavo, whom we entrust to you.
Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.
Married to a physically abusive husband for eighteen years St. Rita entered the religious life, after her husband was murdered by political enemies.
Rita lived 40 years in the convent, spending her time in prayer and charity, and working for peace in the region. She was devoted to the Passion, and in response to a prayer to suffer as Christ, she received a chronic head wound that appeared to have been caused by a crown of thorns, and which bled for 15 years.
Confined to her bed the last four years of her life, eating little more than the Eucharist, teaching and directing the younger sisters. Near the end she had a visitor from her home town who asked if she'd like anything; Rita's only request was a rose from her family's estate. The visitor went to the home, but it being January, knew there was no hope of finding a flower; there, sprouted on an otherwise bare bush, was a single rose blossom.
Prayer For Intercession
Please know that Terri Schindler-Schiavo fervently needs you to ask Christ Jesus and our Blessed Mother to provide the peace and protection for this devoted woman. Terri's suffering includes intentional physical and mental abuse while she lies helplessly confined to a bed. We pray you will ask the Holy Ghost to heal her, so that she will join with us in praising your divine intercession. We ask for your help for Terri through His Holy Name. Amen.
Most holy Apostle St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, pray for Terri Schindler-Schiavo; make use, I implore you, of this particular privilege accorded to you, to bring visible and speedy help, where help is almost despaired of. Come to Terri's assistance in this great need, that she may receive the consolations and succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings.
Oh most holy apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, come to Terri's assistance in this great need that she may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all her necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly with helping her fight off those who seek to harm her further. Amen.
Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to You. Allow your healing hand to heal Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Touch her soul with Your compassion for others. Touch Terri's heart with Your courage and infinite love. Touch the minds of her parents with Your wisdom, that they mouth may always proclaim Your praise. Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring Terri health in body and spirit that she may serve You with all her strength. Touch gently this life which You have created, now and forever. Amen.
Please ping your lists.
Prayers going out for Terri and the Schindler family.
Father, turn back any plan to harm her and cause it to harm those who would end her life. Stir them to the realization that they seek to assume Your authority and may they repent. Strengthen Terri's parents, Lord ... may they be blessed with the return of their daughter to loving care and rehabilitation ... and hope.
Thank You for the dear FReepers here who have been stirred to action and to prayer. Strengthen us this day as we seek to rattle the gates of Heaven on Terri's behalf. Throw back the curtain that surrounds an industry built on death ... reveal the evil, show forth the good, and cause us to fashion it in a way that reflects Your loving care for the most vulnerable.
Work in the hearts and minds of those in authority who will listen, and decide, the next course of action for Terri. Give her advocates words of eloquence and words of wisdom ... may they show the love and concern they feel ... point them to areas of law that apply to Terri ... may these presentations fall on a receptive heart. We pray for the Judge hearing this case, that he would render a decision that proclaims life for Terri, and not death.
Hear us this day, O Lord ... the need is great, but greater are You ... this we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Creator God ... Amen
Please notify me via Freepmail if you would like to be added to or removed from the Prayer Ping list.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.