Confraternities and archconfraternities
Universal Archconfraternity of Saint Philomena
The Family of Saint Philomena · Pious Union of Saint Philomena · Archconfraternity of St Philomena, Mugnano del Cardinale
Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy. The public-facing site is administered from the United Kingdom (contact info@filumena.co.uk).No figure published. The site lists roughly 150 numbered Archconfraternity Centres across Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia and the United States.
Sacramentals · At a shrineBelongs to Sanctuary of Saint Philomena, Mugnano del Cardinale, Italy.A blessed cord of St Philomena.
Open to anyone, today
Free online form. The join page states 'There is no cost involved in membership', with a donation requested towards postage if you are able and annual donations of any amount appreciated.
Enroll nowOpen the join page, follow its link to the membership enrollment form, and fill it in; no account, no payment and no priest are required, and a welcome pack follows by post.
Members have a portal to sign in to.
This is the shrine-based, officially recognised worldwide body for devotion to St Philomena, and it exists to gather all the separate Philomena groups, centres and confraternities under one roof. Members wear a blessed cord of St Philomena, say her Little Crown or Chaplet daily, and receive Communion on her three feast dates. The single most common confusion in this area is worth stating plainly: this is NOT the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena, which is a lay corporation in Dickinson, Texas reviving Pauline Jaricot's Living Rosary and whose members pray one assigned Rosary decade a day. This body is the shrine's own archconfraternity at Mugnano del Cardinale, and 'archconfraternity' means it has the standing to affiliate other confraternities to itself and share its privileges with them.
Where it comes from
Based at the Sanctuary of Saint Philomena in Mugnano del Cardinale (Avellino), Italy, where her relics are kept. No founding date was printed on the pages retrieved when this record was read.
What you promise
Wear the blessed cord of St Philomena, tied around the body or kept with you at all times. Read and encourage others to read the Life of the young saint. Recite the Little Crown or Chaplet of St Philomena daily, within reason. Receive Holy Communion on 10 January, 25 May, and on the 10th, 11th or 13th of August.
What the Church attaches
A Holy Mass is celebrated for members, living and dead, on the second Friday of every month. Members share in all the prayers said throughout the worldwide centres. An indulgence is attached, under the conditions the Church sets (confession, Communion and prayer for the Roman Pontiff), on any day the blessed Cord is worn, and also on 10 January, 25 May and 10, 11 and 13 August. Especially active members who bring in new members are given the title of zealots.
Something physical is involved
Posted to each new member: a welcome letter, a membership card, a prayer card and an information leaflet, plus the e-newsletter and the quarterly bulletin 'The Messenger of Saint Philomena' if you give an email address, and an annual letter at year end. Separately, the duties say members should wear a blessed cord of St Philomena; the join page does not say the cord is included in the free pack.
Enrollment checked 2026-10-22. Details change without notice and parish practice varies. Confirm before relying on this sheet.