VANDALIA — Relics of St. Padre Pio (1887–1968), one of the most well-known stigmatics of the 20th century, were personally transported from the shrine of Padre Pio in Italy, to Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry in Vandalia, for veneration and prayer at two sold-out retreats in early August.

Msgr. Stuart Swetland was master of ceremonies at the retreat, To Bear the Wounds of Christ. Father Ermelindo, from the Padre Pio shrine in Italy, who had lived with Padre Pio, brought the saint's glove and part of the scab from the stigmata he bore, to the retreats for veneration and prayer.

The relics were available for public veneration and prayer from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 3 in the Mother of Dolors Parish Center.

Next month, Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry (www.osmm.org)will host another retreat — It is Time to Meet St. Philomena — from Sept. 19 to 25 at the Mother of Dolors Parish Center in Vandalia. Father Bob Vennetti, MIC, from the Divine Mercy Shrine will be retreat master.

Msgr. Giovanni Braschi, rector and custodian of the sacred relics of St. Philomena in Italy, will bring relics of St. Philomena and blessed oil from the lamp burning in front of her sacred body in Italy.

A lily, arrows, an anchor and a lance, symbols of virginity and martyrdom, were discovered in 1802, on the tomb of a young girl in the catacombs of St. Priscilla in Rome. Tiles on the tomb read: "Peace with you, Philomena."

In a private revelation to Sister Maria Luisa di Gesu, St. Philomena said she was the daughter of a king in Greece. At 13 she took a vow of virginity. Emperor Diocletian wanted to marry her and when she refused he tried to kill her by scourging and drowning her with an anchor, but two angels saved her.

She was shot with arrows, but healed from her wounds. He finally decapitated her on a Friday at 3 p.m. The date of her death was Aug. 10.

Devotion to Philomena grew, including from St. John Vianney, who built a shrine in her honor, and often referred to her. In 1837 she was raised to sainthood by Pope Gregory XVI, who referred to her as "Wonder-worker of the 19th century." She is the only person raised to sainthood based only on her intercession, since nothing historical is known of her except her name and evidence of martyrdom.

St. Philomena is the patron of hopeless and impossible causes, especially conversion of sinners, return to the sacraments, expectant mothers and problems with children.

Mark Miravalle, a theology professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville, will give a talk on Our Lady and St. Philomena at the meeting.

The Archconfraternity community is launching its first ever worldwide youth program during the retreat — St. Philomena Youth for Purity.