During Advent, early December, my friend and fellow writer, Keith Berube asked me something that made me regretful for when I've been cynical. Keith asked me if I had ever heard of St Philomena sending people hearts. Several times when I've completed a novena to St Philomena or offered the litany to her, there has been some heart-shaped gift given me on the day, but until recently, I dismissed them out of hand, I admonished myself for "looking for signs" and thinking narcissism-inspired thoughts about a Saint lavishing hearts on me. I was afraid that I had been seeking sentimentality in the sacred.
On the same morning I was taking myself to task for not having kept some record of heart-shaped gifts that I associated with signs of St Philomena's intercession, I was bouncing around Los Angeles where I live, and meeting up with various young friends and giving out sacramentals. Blessed Green Scapulars. Miraculous Medals. St Benedict Medals. These are the "Gen Z" young 'uns that I meet in my travels and they follow the progress of my book on Padre Pio. They think of him as a character from fantasy fiction, that is until they invite his intercession and witness his power to transform their lives.
Well, I was so busy that I never told anyone that which Keith asked, or that I made a promise to St Philomena that the next time a heart was given to me after praying to her, I'd make a special note. I was expecting to be given some heart-shaped jellies some time off in the distant future. But then I got a call from a young friend asking me my favorite gem, and I volunteered it was a ruby. I thought nothing of it 'til she asked to meet up there and then in Manhattan Beach. I thought she might be having a personal problem, but when we met up in the place where the sun bleaches the plastic Santa hats a deep tangerine, we spoke of the uses for the blessed St Benedict Medal and she presented me with a small jeweler's box, and I opened it to find a heart-shaped ruby on a silver chain. An artisan piece of jewelry, in the shape of the heart that beats in our chests, rather than the simple doodle of a heart.
I am "used to" such things, but this dumbfounded me. Keith's question, my promise and the ruby heart all happened within three hours, well before afternoon tea. Had Keith never asked me, I'd never have pledged to Philomena that I'd take the next heart she sent to heart. I wear it next to my Miraculous Medal, as in "I ♥️ Our Lady". St Philomena always furnishes greater devotion to the Blessed Mother.
January 10th is St Philomena's birthday, the grand occasion when she was born a princess of Greece, and like the royal lady she is, she gives her courtiers the finest of gems, as though she is giving us a few spare from her heavenly crown.
Keith Berube, who has spectacular devotion to St Philomena is one of the foremost mariologist of the age and is the author of Mary, the Beloved
