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My eldest daughter
was very sick. There
are no medical or
health facilities nearby
where we could seek
medical assistance. Her
body was aching all over and she had
a very high fever. She could not eat. It
was getting dark and I felt helpless.
Then, I thought of St. Philomena’s
healing oil and the cord. I quickly
prayed to our dear Saint, rubbed the
oil on her body and tied the cord
around her waist. The pain and fever
subsided immediately and she started
eating. Thank you, St. Philomena!
< Leah >
I had an ulcer in my
throat. For 3 months,
I tried every possible
way to get it treated
and healed, but was
unsuccessful. I finally
used the healing oil, placed some on my
tongue, wore the cord and prayed with
confidence to Saint Philomena. By
morning, my throat was healed. Thank
you, St. Philomena! < Julie >
M
y name is Audrey Philomena
Pignataro and my husband is Sal. We
had the honor of meeting Richard and
Patti Melvin in Dickinson, TX, in the
late 1980’s. This is my true story:
Father Braschi was visiting Dickinson
from Mugnano, Italy, and we were
asked to help with translations so that
he could be understood. I had not yet
been baptized and the Melvins and
Father were very eager that I would
receive this grace. My heart was not in
it but, in order not to disappoint them,
I went ahead. I had not been exposed
to God or taught the concept of sin.
Shortly after my Baptism, we moved
to Milano, Italy. My brief knowledge
of the Faith was quickly forgotten.
My husband and I separated for seven
years, and I fell into a life of sin.
Together, we moved back to the USA. Sal
prayed a lot for me but, at that point, I
was not ready to change. During those
years, now and then, I would come
across a photo of St. Philomena and
nothing bothered me more than seeing
her image. We were also receiving the
Dedicated Decades magazine from the
Living Rosary. When I saw the books,
my insides hurt but I did not change.
No matter where we moved, the books
would come. Over time, my marriage
healed and we returned to Church.
The biggest guilt of my life was turning
my back on God and St. Philomena.
After the flood in Dickinson, I went
online to make a donation and found
a traditional church near us. I attended
Mass there and, a few days later, made
my first Confession in 30 years. Sal and
I visited Richard and Patti Melvin a few
months ago. I believe with everything
in my heart that St. Philomena never
left me and the day I was baptized,
Father Braschi saved my life. I wear
my St. Philomena cord and pray daily
as does Salvatore. My gratitude runs deep
to those special souls God has placed
in my life: Fr. Braschi, Richard and
Patti Melvin, and the Living Rosary.