Philomena was raised in Carrolltown, Pa. She became a Sister of Mercy in Pittsburgh, entering the convent on August 2, 1885, investing on March 17, 1886, and professing on April 2, 1888. She taught for a few years in Catholic schools and then became the first x-ray technician at Mercy Hospital, 1896-1900. The 1910 Census states she was one of 46 nuns at at the hospital, where she worked as a nurse, and trained other nurses. She worked with Dr. Aimee Letecee in develping a treatment for rabies and was for 20 years the editor of “Hospital Reports,” a valuable biennial bulletin of valuable technical data. The 1920 Census listed her as a roentgenologist at the hospital, and the 1930 Census lists her there under her birth name as a registered nurse. In 1940, Sr. Callistus was living at St. Xavier’s Academy in Unity Twp., Westmoreland, Co., and had returned to teaching.