Apologies and Announcements

School, friends, and then finals just swept me up these last few months and kept me too busy to write, but summer is finally here and I have something exciting to announce!

I’ll be working on my first novel, which I think I’ve mentioned before.  It is a Catholic (clean!) romance story about a princess and a prince :)  So please watch for announcements about that!  And watch for a few sneak peeks into my first novel!!!  It is my dearest hope to finish it very soon but I don’t know when EXACTLY that will be just yet, so hang in there with me!

Please keep sending your questions in here and watch for my updates this summer as I work on my novel!

Thank you!

Courtney C. Filomena Lee

Ask the Author (#6)

“Was the Emperor ever converted?  Even after she [Philomena] died?”  -Anne, age 19

Great question, thanks Anne!

Diocletian became very sick soon after St. Philomena’s martyrdom.  He became the first ever Roman emperor to willingly abdicate (step down) from the throne.  He believed someone else could do the job better than he could.

Coin with Diocletian’s likeness

After he “retired,” he moved to the countryside where he lived for four more years.  His successors tore apart everything he had established during his reign and he despaired for his country and empire.  It is very possible that he committed suicide, but it is hard to say for sure.

I don’t think Diocletian ever converted, but we don’t know for sure!  I’m sure St. Philomena (and all of the other Christians he marytred) interceded for him in Heaven.  If he did undergo conversion, it is always possible that could have occurred in his last moments.

Thanks for your question!  If you’d like to submit a question and get an answer, please click here!  I love to hear from you, even if you don’t have a question!  Please be sure to check out the home page for a new review from author Katie Hartfiel!  I’m so honored to have been reviewed by such a wonderful author!  Also, keep your eyes out for updates about my long-awaited novel!  I’ve had extra time lately to work on it and I am going to release a portion of chapter one soon.  Follow my blog for updates so you don’t miss anything!!!

-Courtney C. Filomena Lee

Some BIG news…

There is something exciting happening at the end of this week and I wanted to share my news with you!

I will be giving a talk to a parish down in Kentucky at the end of this week!  It is the first time I’ve traveled to do something like this and I am very excited.  It will be amazing to meet youth who love St. Philomena and who are striving for purity and fortitude in a community setting.  Moreover, it will be incredible to be able to talk to them about my book and my devotion to the stubborn little princess.

For this reason, I’m going to be adding a “Speaking Events” section to this website (found under “Contact”) with a way to contact me to come to your parish or event to speak to youth and young adults.

Speaking Events

I see this idea as having great potential.  I won’t be able to travel all the time, but I am somewhat flexible, and I want to use my time to bring others close to God through my dear friend, St. Philomena.  If you think that your parish or youth group may want (or need) to hear the message of St. Philomena, I encourage you to contact me and we can make arrangements!  I would love to meet you, your community, and encourage you all (especially the youth) in your journey toward Heaven.

In addition to this new page on the website, there is another new page (found in the same place) where you can ask any questions you have and I will put my reply on my blog!

I am looking for inspiration for my blog posts and I would love to hear from you!  Head on over to the new page and send in your questions!

Ask the Author!

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!  As always, let us end in prayer…

Dearest St. Philomena, we ask for your intercession in our lives and in the lives of those around us.  Inspire us to be stubbornly faithful and unwavering in our beliefs.  Intercede for the grace we need to have fortitude and courage.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.  Amen.

-Courtney C. Filomena Lee