This adorable young girl is Philomena (aka Phil).
Phil is 7 years old. She loves soccer and playing with her big brother Mark. She’s also a great joke teller. In fact, here’s her joke from yesterday:
What’s a pirate’s favorite letter?
Let’s get back to her joke later. This post is a request to all reading it – to please say a prayer for Philomena.
Philomena’s mother, Mina, wants everyone to pray for Phil. Phil’s condition is a stage 4 Glioblastoma on her brain stem. Phil’s mother is a very faithful Christian. Mina believes in miracles. Mina has inspired thousands of people to pray for Phil and ask others to Pray for Phil.
I first heard a request for prayers for Phil at a mom’s club meeting almost a month ago. After that, I started seeing a few Facebook friends post prayer requests for her. Then, last night, I saw Philomena’s mother’s words . . . and that led me to do more. Mina’s faith is inspiring to say the least. Last night, Mina wrote:
Some will say I’m a “crazy Christian”, and that is okay.
As her Mother I will do whatever it takes to save her. If we lived in the time when Jesus walked the earth, I’d physically carry her to his feet and beg him to heal her. The bottom line: ONLY he can heal her. All of your prayers are helping me carry her to his throne and ask for his healing power. I will never stop praying, and I will never stop asking other people to pray for her. It is my mission to have the entire world praying for her.
I realize that time is your most valuable and limited resource. I am eternally grateful, and forever in your debt, for every single prayer you say for her.
PLEASE, I implore you, DO NOT STOP PRAYING!!
As I read it again, my heart strings are tug pretty fiercely.
What an incredible woman. What an amazing mother. What a faithful Christian.
As I continue to talk to Phil’s mom, her friend and reading her updates – since now we are friends on Facebook – I came to see more of the miracle already in progress.
I see posts and pictures with Mina tagged that say things like, “I’m not Catholic, I don’t go to Church, I hardly ever pray . . . but I beg you to pray with me for Phil. #stormtheheavens”.
As I ask Mina a few more questions about her daughter, I notice she answers a few, but then requests again:
“Don’t Stop Praying”
I then assure her that I will pray.
She then requests:
“Don’t Stop”.
Mina quickly reminds everyone to look up to the Lord. Through Phil, people who have never or rarely thought about prayer . . . are looking up. Maybe they are just starting a relationship with God . . . or maybe they are renewing a broken one – but there is healing.
That healing will and is extending to Phil.
The Sunday after Phil was diagnosed; a prayer service was planned in less than 2 days. Over 700 people filled the church to pray.
I can’t tell you I have ever seen 700 people in a church. From the beginning of this incredibly difficult journey for any family, Phil’s mother has looked to the Lord with faith and hope. She is not kidding about her mission to have the whole world pray for her daughter. In the past 24 hours I have seen pictures of professional athletes and even a letter from the Pope assuring that Phil is in his prayers.
One way you can pray for Phil is to not only pray a personal prayer, but to also seek the intercession of Maria Esperanza de Bianchini whose cause for beatification and canonization opened in 2010. The family is hoping a miracle of healing will occur for Phil, and that miracle will lead to Maria’s canonization. Below is the prayer:
Novena to Maria Esperanza
O great flower of Betania Maria Esperanza
You were left here as our consolation when Padre Pio was called to high glory in heaven
Your smile lit the way in times of trial and despair
Your courage and wiliness to bear in some part the burdens of our Pope gave us hope
Intercede for us Blessed Maria, that we may not falter in our daily trials
and that we may grow in faith and love for our Lord Jesus through the Blessed Mother Mary
Please Maria grant us our petition as we make it known to you here , CURE PRECIOUS PHILOMENA.The answer to this prayer will require the intercession of a loved and respected servant or our Lady.
You are the servant Maria. Please hear us and grant this petition.
We promise Maria to make known to all the granting of this request and promise to help
Propagate devotion to you in this regard.
Thank you for listening flower of Betania.
Amen.Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be.
Maria Esperanza, pray for us.O Jesus, full of grace and charity, victim for sinners, so impelled by love for us that You willed to
die on the cross, we humbly beseech You to glorify in heaven and on earth, Maria Esperanza of Venezuela, who generously suffered for Your Sake, and loved you so much and labored so
faithfully for the glory of Your heavenly Father and for the good of souls. With this confidence
we beseech You to grant us, through her intercession, the graces which we ardently desire
(mention request)Then say one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be
and conclude by saying: Maria Esperanza, pray for us.
Now, back to Phil’s joke from yesterday:
Phil: What’s a pirate’s favorite letter?
I don’t know, what’s a pirate’s favorite letter?
Phil: You might think it’s R, but it’s the “C”!
You can hear more of Phil’s jokes on the Facebook page dedicated to encouraging prayer for Phil: Storm the Heavens
Please honor Phil’s mother’s request to: Storm the heavens with prayer and
Never. Stop. Praying.
If you would like to learn more about Maria Esperanza, check out this book on Amazon:
Learning about Phil is how I first heard of her – now I am curious.
Please leave a comment/prayer for Phil! The amount of hope it gives her family can not be put into words!!!
Since St. Jude’s feast day is Friday and he’s the patron saint of desperate cases, I will pray for Philomena through his intercession. I will also share this on my blog page. May god bless her with a miracle.
I pray for Phil every day. You are such courageous parents. If the Lord walks you to it, He will walk you through it.
God bless
prayers for our Phil, she is a miracle child and will be #stormtheheavens , keep praying hard for her
love our Phil, ‘bean amen . we will never stop praying , never
I am keeping her in my prayers. We also attended her block party eh eye so much love was shown and support for Phil! KEEP THE FAITH!
Praying that God will heal Phil. Also asking him to strengthen her family and friends. Be steadfast (as you are).
My heart aches for this family! I pray that they have their miracle. She seems like a sweet little girl who deserves a long haply life. She and her entire family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Don’t stop praying.
#Stormtheheavens
#GlorytoGod
Prayers sent!
#stormtheheavens #youwillnotfightalone #philsaphighter
Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
This sweet little girl has touched my heart. She and her family are an inspiration. I will continue to lift Philomena in prayer and pray that this family receives their miracle. God Bless them!
#Allgloryto God
Mina, you unspire me to be a better mother, a better Christian and a better person in general.
#imginnawitnessamiracle
Thank you so much- please son’t stop praying.
We really are storming the heavens.
Pray with confidence and faith to move mountains
We won’t stop. We will not waiver. We have FAITH! Love you all. Maria Esperanza, pray for us
Hi Mary Kate ,How are you Saw your. Name and just wanted To say Hello and that we are praying too.
Take. Care. Pat Di.
Praying everyday for Phil #stromtheheavens
#stormtheheavens
praying for phil. ❤️
This precious little girl has touched my heart in so many ways. This family is truly an inspiration and has helped me restore my faith and repair my relationship with God. I’ve been praying for Philomena, every day, with my whole heart, and I will not stop. May God Bless You All.
This right here tells me the miracle is already happening!!! Chills!
Calling on an old friend, St. John Neumann. Visiting the shrine. Praying for intercessions on behalf of Phil.
St. John Neumann, pray for us. St. John Neumann, pray for Phil.
Maria Esperanza, pray for us.
#stormtheheavens
St. John Neuman is the reason my sister is alive and well today! At age 12 she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. St. John Neuman As a child visited her one night in CHOP. My mother told her no one was in your room and she said yes it was a little boy. Later that day my Aunt was showing my sister some prayer cards and one was of St. John Neuman As a child and my sister was like that the boy that was here w me last night. That was on a Friday, Monday her MRI results revealed what none of us expected, the remaining tumor that the doctors said was inoperable was gone! She had a 12 hour surgery the week before to remove it but it was to deep in the core of her brain and doctors were going to do radiation. She is 43, with 4 children and is very healthy! Praise the Lord and all his warriors. I pray everyday for Phil! I know God is with her and her family! You have to keep the faith!
What an amazing, awesome, inspiring story!! Thank you for sharing that!! Praise the Lord and St. John Neuman, pray for us!
I too am a firm believer in the Power of Prayers.. Mytjoughts and prayers are with you often. Stay strong. God loves you.
Prayers for Phil always…the miracle is coming…stay strong…😘
Praying for Phil has made my relationship with Gad and the Church stronger. Also, I am now praying nightly with my children for Phil. Will not stop praying! #philsaphighter❤️️🙏🏻
Praying for Phil everyday! God Bless her beautiful family!
I’ve added this precious child of God to my prayer list.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Phil you are the sweetest little girl, you have all the angels and saints and humans praying to The Lord Our God for you
We will never stop , Love your daily jokes. God Bless you Sweetie
Mina inspires me to be a better person, mother, wife, Since day one of meeting Mina I admire that woman. She is one of a kind. I think of Philomena every day and I say a prayer.
This family is amazing people and I feel lucky to know them.
I am praying for your beautiful little girl. Keep staying strong with your belief in the Lord’s healing power! God Bless you and your Phil. 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️😘
Praying every day
Stay strong Phil you are one courageous little girl , and know that God is always with you and know that when there are times that you’re not feeling so great that God is actually holding you he will get you through those difficult times . You’re in my prayers Phil From now on, God bless you and your family “Storm the heavens”!!!
Praying for Phil and her entire family. 🙏🍀❤️
I will add Philomena to my prayers as well. My mother, Mary Pat Sage, also has this same stage 4 brain tumor! The Lord can and does many miracles in our lives. I am praying for God’s grace and love to shower upon both of them today and every day!
Praying for Phil, Mena, and the whole family!!
Thank you Anni! Since I wrote this post the whole family was sent to Rome to meet Pope Francis!!!
Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Always keeping Phil and her family in my thoughts and prayers..
#STORMTHEHEAVENS
I have added Phil to my prayer list daily. She is on several of my family members prayer list too. Hope and love go hand in hand. Praying hard for Phil and her family. They have touched so many people’s lives positively.
I never, ever stop praying for Phil. God bless her and her famy.
Always praying! Will not stop!
I’m praying!!!! God Bless!!!