1 St. Philip Neri Today's Saint Was Raised in the 16Th Century and One

Today’s saint was raised in the 16th century and one of the great saints of the counter Reformation. He was born on July 21, 1515 in Florence, which was home of many great Renaissance artists in the 15th and 16th century. Interestingly, Florence was were drawing was born. It’s also where our stations of the cross are from!

Young Philip was a cheerful and obedient child. He was known as “good little Phil.” He received his education in the Dominican monastery of San Marco in Florence.

In his teenage years, Philip went to work with his uncle in San Germano, which is south of Rome. While there, he had a mystical vision that changed his life. He decided to move to Rome (1533) where he began three years of study in philosophy and theology. Unfortunately, Rome was in very rough shape at this time.

At this time, Philip gave up the thought toward ordination as a priest. He spent the next 16 years as a layman engaged in prayer and the apostolate. He labored among the poor and sick, which would earn him the title of “Apostle of Rome” later in life. He was known for striking up conversations on street corners and public squares with his warm personality and incredible sense of humor. One of his famous sayings is “A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.”

With his incredible sense of humor, Philip is sometimes known as the “humorous saint” or the “Apostle of Joy.” Over his door he posted a small sign that read, “The House of Christian Mirth.”

At the age of 34, St. Philip’s confessor convinced him that the groundwork had been laid for him become a priest. He was ordained to the diaconate and then to the priesthood on May 23, 1551. He was 36 years old. Philip thought of going to India as a missionary, but received advice from his friends and a holy monk who said, “Rome will be your India.”

He and a few priests began an oratory, i.e., a little community with a family-like atmosphere where they developed a life of prayer, conversed about the faith, and devoted themselves to works of charity. In 1575, Pope Gregory XIII approved the congregation.

1 St. Philip is certainly known for a spirituality that was light- hearted and which helped others (including himself!) not to take him too seriously. For example, it was not uncommon for him to shave off half of his beard and show up at important events or walk around the city with his clothes inside out. Sometimes he would wear a cushion on his head like a turban or wear a foxtail coat in the middle of summer. On one occasion, he dressed impeccably in his black clerics and purchased bright white leather shoes.

Before celebrating Mass, to help him focus on the task at hand, Philip like to hear a joke or two. Additionally, Philip sometimes played with his dog, Capriccio, in the sacristy before Mass. His favorite saying was, “The best way to gain holy virtue is to persevere in holy cheerfulness.” In short, Philip used humor to build others up in Christ rather than tear them down by drawing attention to himself.

If you are ever feeling down, like our faith is boring, or you have lost your joy, ask St. Philip to pray for you! He reminds us of the “great joy” of knowing Christ and living entirely for Him. Let St. Philip help you live each day with a little “levity” in your step! Today, we are grateful for this wonderful saint who reminds us of the great joy of knowing Jesus and following Him. ~St. Philip Neri, pray for us!