What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life, life without end.”
Pope Benedict XVI, Apostolic Letter, Porta fidei, October 2011
Entering into the prayer of christ
The following introduction is from our friends at Universalis: Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595) He was born in Florence in 1515. At the age of eighteen he went to Rome, and earned his living as a tutor. He undertook much-needed charitable work among the young men of the city, and started a brotherhood to help the sick poor and pilgrims. He was advised that he could do more good as a priest, and was ordained in 1551. He built an oratory over the church of San Girolamo, where he invented services, consisting of spiritual readings and hymns, which were the origin of the oratorio (tradition is a good thing; but innovation also has its place). He continued to serve the young men of Rome, rich and poor alike, with religious discussions and by organising charitable enterprises. He had a particular care for the young students at the English College in Rome, studying for a missionary life and probable martyrdom in England. He inspired other clergy to emulate him, and formed them into the Congregation of the Oratory. Oratorian foundations still flourish in many countries today. He died in Rome in 1595. St Philip Neri was an enemy of solemnity and conventionality. When some of his more pompous penitents made their confession to him (he was famous as a confessor) he imposed salutary and deflating penances on them, such as walking through the streets of Rome carrying his cat (he was very fond of cats). When a novice showed signs of excessive seriousness, Philip stood on his head in front of him, to make him laugh. When people looked up to him too much, he did something ridiculous so that they should not respect someone who was no wiser – and no less sinful – than they were. In every case there was an excellent point to his pranks: to combat pride, or melancholy, or hero-worship. His feast day is May 26th. For words of Wit & Wisdom from St. Philip Neri, please enjoy below. Peace be with you! Author, Reason2bCatholic
Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if he wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength.”
Saint Philip Neri
An excerpt from: If God Be With Us: The Maxims of St. Philip Neri
“Without prayer, a man will not persevere long in spirituality; we must have recourse to this most powerful means of salvation every day … We must never trust ourselves, for it is the devil’s way first to get us to feel secure, and then to make us fall! Our sweet Christ, the Word Incarnate, has given himself to us for everything that was necessary for us, even to the hard and ignominious death upon the cross … We need to pray for the grace to love Jesus not out of fear but out of love.
Let a man who desires the first place take the last.
As soon as a man feels that he is tempted, he should fly to God, and devoutly utter…O God, come to my aid; O Lord make haste to help me; a pure heart create in me, O God….It is a most useful thing to say often and from the heart, “Lord, do not put any confidence in me for I am sure to fall if you do not help me,” or, “O my Lord, look for nothing but evil from me.” We must not trust in ourselves, but take the advice of our spiritual father, and recommend ourselves to everybody’s prayers….When we go to confession, we should accuse ourselves of our worst sins first, and of those things which we are most ashamed of, because by this means we put the devil to greater confusion and reap more fruit from our confession. One of the very best means of obtaining humility is sincere and frequent confession.”
Credit: Saint Philip Neri († 1595) was an Italian priest and the founder of the Oratory. Excerpt from If God Be With Us: The Maxims of St. Philip Neri, Father F.W. Faber, Ed. Information herein posted under the "rules of fair use" to foster education and discussion in accordance with Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.
Christianity is not a system of ethics; it is a life. It is not good advice; it is divine adoption. Being a Christian does not consist in just being kind to the poor, going to church, singing hymns, or serving on parish committees, though it includes all of these. It is first and foremost a love relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
When the desire for God touches men’s hearts the world will be made anew. For a man is called to be another Christ. What the world is in need of today is real manhood in the image and likeness of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ. Men: This is the challenge of our time. It is the challenge of our Age.”
Author, Reason2bCatholic
Mary, seat of wisdom
Faith resembles a lamp. As a lamp lights the whole house, so the light of faith illumines the whole soul.”
Saint John Chrysostom
Mary, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
Be not afraid! And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always. Holy Family, pray for us. Amen.
