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In an effort to promote purity and innocence among the young and to enlist them in the cause of Christ, the Universal Living Rosary Association of Saint Philomena (ULRA) and the Universal Archconfraternity of St. Philomena have joined together to promote the St. Philomena Youth for Purity Program. In every fight an ally is needed and the Church has proclaimed through the Sovereign Pontiffs that St. Philomena, the young virgin-martyr, is the ally needed to help the young in their struggle for integrity of heart. The program aims to introduce St. Philomena, the power of her intercession and the integrity of her example to the youth of the 21st century. Her inspirational example is even more fitting now in our time as we see more and more clearly that the temptations and vices of her day have been recast in our own time - power, greed, lust, and the destruction of the family unit. The program has two parts. In the first phase special 'mini-shrines' will be sent to any youth group, school or parish that registers to take part. The 'mini-shrine' will contain a statue of St. Philomena as well as literature and information concerning her life and witness. Additional devotional material will also be included that the children can take home and share with the family. A detailed curriculum is included for the group leader so that the group can 'walk' through the literature and presentations together. The 'mini-shrine' program is designed to introduce St. Philomena as an ally in the struggle against sin and temptation - particularly sins against purity. The role of the saints as allies and friends is highlighted. That introduction leads to a presentation on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the necessity of true devotion to her as our model of discipleship. The example of venerable Pauline Jaricot is presented as a wonderful model of conversion and service. The 'mini-shrine' program ends with a presentation on the true presence of Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament. In this way - highlighting St. Philomena's role as intercessor and ally, the Blessed Mother as our model of discipleship and the living presence of Our Lord in our midst - the program acts as a short retreat for the young focusing their attention on the power of the faith. The program aims to foster devotion to St. Philomena but also the encourage the youth to form 'Children of Mary' circles in their schools and parishes. Pope Pius IX declared St. Philomena to be the patroness of the Children of Mary and the Living Rosary Association and the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena have agreed to be co-sponsors of a revived 'sodality' movement. Fr. Chad Partain, the chancellor of the Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana, has been named to spearhead the program and act as the Director of the Congregation of the Children of Mary. Literature is included in each 'mini-shrine' detailing the process of how to form a Children of Mary circle and what is entailed so that the work of spiritual formation may continue. Each circle, composed of at least five members, will be registered with both the Living Rosary Association and with the Archconfraternity of St. Philomena. In this way the children enrolled will share in the spiritual blessings and indulgences attached to those organizations. Each child registered will assume responsibility for praying one decade of the rosary each day and for invoking the aid of St. Philomena. The Children of Mary circles will meet on the first Saturday of the month to foster devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to fulfill Our Lady's requests for prayer and penance. The meetings will be designed to foster the role of the congregation. The Children of Mary is a Catholic Lay Association that has for its main purpose the spiritual formation of its members. It takes for its model the spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort and his ideal of total consecration to Jesus through Mary. The work of the congregation is to foster holiness in the young by giving them solid formation and peer support under the mantle of the Blessed Mother. The sign of membership is the Miraculous Medal worn on a broad blue ribbon - the motto of the congregation is 'Monstra esse te Matrem' 'Show thyself a Mother'. Regular updates, meeting guides, prayers, and registration forms will be made available on the Children of Mary website to be launched in November of 2011. Please pray for this endeavor that we may form in our time 'an army of youth flying the banner of truth . . . neath the Queen's white and blue.' Fr. Chad Partain - Director Fr. Chad Partain speaks at the 20th Annual Week of Prayer and Fasting on Saturday October 20, 2012St Philomena's Hour on Radio Maria airs every Thursday at 2:00 a.m. Please visit Radio Maria's website for more detailsListen to St. Philomena's Hour on Radio Maria |
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St. Philomena Youth for Purity Campaign and the establishment of the Children of Mary movement:
