The feast day of St. Philip Neri is celebrated on May 26.
He is known as the Apostle of Joy because of his cheerful nature. St. Philip was born in Florence, Italy in 1515. After having a conversion experience when he was 18, his life changed radically. He went to Rome with no plan, totally trusting in God’s guidance.
For two years, he was a tutor for small boys. Eventually he took courses in philosophy and theology at the Sapienza and at St. Augustine’s Monastery. After three years he quite suddenly sold his books and began a mission to the people of Rome. He engaged in conversations with people on the street corners, often asking, “Well brothers, when shall we begin to do good?” He served the sick in the hospitals and prayed for them in the churches. His favorite place of prayer was at the Catacomb of St. Sebastian.
St. Philip had a special devotion to the third person in the Trinity. He prayed daily to the Holy Spirit. At night he was called to solitude and prayer. Ten years after beginning his ministry, with the help of his confessor, Father Rossa, a confraternity of laymen began meeting to pray together. He encouraged the devotion of the Forty Hours. Father Rossa finally convinced him that he should become a priest. He was ordained in 1551. The Congregation of the Priests of the Oratory was founded several years later by St. Philip. They had simple rules. They shared a common table and performed spiritual exercises together. They were not bound by any vows.
St. Philip died from a hemorrhage on the Feast of Corpus Christi after hearing confessions.
St. Philip Neri Public Domain
Many of the following short sayings of St. Philip Neri are still remembered today.
Do not grieve over temptations you suffer. When the Lord intends to bestow a particular virtue on us, He often permits us first to be tempted by the opposite vice. Therefore, look upon every temptation as an invitation to grow in a particular virtue and promise God that you will be successful, if only you stand fast.
Let us strive for purity of heart for the Holy Spirit dwells in candid and simple minds.
Bear the cross and do not make the cross bear you.
There is no purgatory in this world. Nothing but heaven or hell.
Sufferings are a kind of paradise to him who suffers with patience, while they are a hell to him who has no patience.
Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always be in good spirits.
Watch me, O Lord, this day, for abandoned to myself, I shall surely betray thee.
My children, if you desire perseverance, be devout to our Blessed Lady.
It is an old custom with the servants of God always to have some little prayers ready, and to be darting them up to heaven frequently during the day lifting our minds to God out of the filth of this world. He who adopts this plan will get great fruit with little pains.
We are not saints yet, but we too, should beware. Uprightness and virtue do have their rewards in self-respect and in respect from others, and it is easy to find ourselves aiming for result rather than the cause. Let us aim for joy, rather than respectability. Let us make fools of ourselves from time to time, and thus see ourselves, for a moment as the all-wise God sees us.
Never say “What great things the Saints do”, but “What great things God does in His Saints.” Cast yourself in 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.
Believe me, there is no more powerful means to obtain God’s grace than to employ the intercessions of the Holy Virgin.
The true way to advance in holy virtues is to persevere in a holy cheerfulness.
The cheerful are much easier to guide in the spiritual life than the melancholy.
Excessive sadness seldom springs from any other source than pride.
If a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a crucifix, and think that Christ shed His Blood for him, and not only forgave his enemies, but prayed the Eternal Father forgive them also.
The fruit we ought to get from prayer is to do what is pleasing to the Lord.
He who runs away from one cross, will meet a bigger one on his road.
St. Philip Neri with Cross
The best way to prepare for death is to spend every day of life as though it were the last.
The devil, who is a most haughty spirit, is never more completely mastered than by humility of heart and a simple clear undisguised manifestation of our sins and temptations to our confessor. Christ died for sinners; we must take heart therefore, and hope that paradise will be ours provided only we repent of our sins, and do good.
He who continues in anger, strife, and a bitter spirit, has a taste of hell.
Humility is the true guardian of chastity.
If you wish to go to extremes, let it be in sweetness, patience, humility and charity.
O Jesus, watch over me always, especially today, or I shall betray you like Judas.
The feast day of St. Joanna is celebrated on May 24.
St. Joanna was a devoted follower of Jesus. We learn about her in Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 8. She was the wife of Chuza who was a steward for Herod. She, along with Mary Magdalene, Susanna, and other women, provided for Jesus out of their personal resources as he traveled from town to town preaching and healing.
St. Joanna was one of the three women who arrived at the tomb to prepare the body for burial on the first Easter morning. She is also referred to as the myrrh bearer. The women discovered the stone moved and the body gone. Two men appeared to them in dazzling clothes, telling them He had risen and reminding them that Jesus had said he would be crucified and rise again. The women reported to the Apostles all that they had seen and heard.
It is hard to imagine being such a close friend of Jesus. The disciples who followed and supported Jesus knew Him in a way we can only wish to know him. But St. Joanna shows us what a true disciple is. She supported Jesus and His ministry on a daily basis in any way possible. She heard the words he spoke and saw the miracles he worked. True friendship is what all of us should be seeking from Jesus. True friends are always there for each other. As disciples we should be serving Jesus in any way we can. We should also be turning to Him in all our needs weather they be small or large. We should never be afraid to be honest with Jesus, because He is our friend.
The instruments of God are always humble.
Quote of St. John Chrysostom; Feast day September 13
Many people falsely believe the church began when Christ rose from the dead. However, the official beginning of the church is celebrated on Pentecost Sunday.
Fifty days after the crucifixion, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles. They were transfigured from frightened, confused disciples of Jesus to men of courage and conviction. Their confusion was removed by the Holy Spirit, or as Jesus called him…The Advocate.
The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of the Trinity. As Catholics, we believe in One God, manifest by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Belief in the trinity was passed on through church traditions. Before every prayer, we begin with the sign of the cross, praying in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. The mystery of the cross (suffering) is important to our faith. Without suffering, we cannot come close to Jesus on the cross. Jesus told the Apostles He would not leave them orphaned. He would send them the Advocate, to lead and guide them. Today, we call the Advocate the Holy Spirit.
Trinity Crucifix
Just as each of us has more than one type of relationship (mother, daughter, sister) God also shows Himself to us in different ways; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is the creator of everything, Jesus is the Son, sent to redeem the world from the slavery of sin, and the Holy Spirit is the Advocate sent to guide and show us the way to the Father and Son.
The most important part of prayer is actually listening in quiet for guidance from God. Sharing with him our pain, joy and needs is important, but we must also ask him to lead us by His Holy Spirit, so that we may know His will in our life.
The symbols of the Holy Spirit are the Dove, the wind, and the fire. God speaks to us in many ways. Listen for him in the silence.
The feast day of St. James the Lesser and St. Philip is celebrated by the Church on the same day, May 3. They are both Apostles and martyrs.
St. Philip was also one of the original apostles. He was born in Bethsaida, Galilee and was a follower of John the Baptist. He was present at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He was also present at the Last Supper. During the Last Supper, it was Philip who asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus responded by teaching them about the unity of the Father and the Son. After the resurrection Philip preached in Greece and Syria. St. Philip died a martyr. He was crucified upside down at Hierapolis under the rule of Emperor Domitian.
St. Philip is the patron saint of cooks and bakers.
St. James the Lesser was one of the original twelve apostles. The title Lesser probably meant he was younger than James the Greater. James was a cousin of Jesus and brother to St. Jude Thaddeus. St James the Lesser was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He was known for his devotion to the poor. He was beaten to death with a club while praying for his attackers.
St.James the Lesser is the patron saint of fullers and pharmacists.
Martyrdom of the Apostle St. James the Less by Master of the Winkler Epitaph
Teach us to be generous, good Lord. Teach us to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing we do Your will.
Quote of St. Ignatius of Loyola; Feast day July 31
The Feast day of the Chair of Peter is celebrated on February 22. On this day we are reminded of the importance of unity in the church. The Lord himself entrusted the church to the authority of St. Peter.
The word Chair comes from the word “Cathedra” which also is the origin of the word Cathedral. A Cathedral is the church of the Bishop of a diocese. The Pope is also known as the “Vicar of Christ”. It is his duty to defend the faith from errors and teach the truth of the faith.
Because of the teaching authority of the Bishop of Rome, the followers of Jesus in the Catholic Church are united in their beliefs. We trust in the Holy Spirit to guide the Holy Father in directing the church. The beliefs of the Catholic Church are Apostolic. They can be traced back to Jesus and the Apostles.
St. Peter served as the leader of the Church from 33-64 A.D. He was crucified upside down in Rome. The Basilica of St. Peter is built over his grave site. When we accept the authority of the Bishop of Rome to teach the faith, we accept the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 16: 18-19.
“And so I tell you, “You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
“Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt.”
Apostle means “one who is sent”. Jesus chose twelve Apostles. He sent them into the world to spread the “good news”. The following quiz will tell you how much you know about them.
Answer the following questions to test your knowledge about the Apostles. The answers are at the end of the list.
1 Which Apostle had a mother-in-law who was cured by Jesus?
2. Which Apostles were known as “Sons of Thunder”?
3. Which Apostle was shipwrecked?
4. Which Apostle lived the longest, dying a natural death?
5. To which Apostle did Jesus say “Do not doubt but believe?”
6. Which Apostle was a tax collector?
7. Who was the brother of Simon Peter?
8. Which Apostle betrayed Jesus?
9. Which Apostle said, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders. It has become the cornerstone.”
10. Which Apostle tried to walk on water?
11. Which Apostles witnessed the Transfiguration?
12. On what day did the Holy Spirit descend upon the Apostles?
13. To whom did Jesus say, “Here is your mother?”
14. Which Apostle was present at the foot of the cross?
15. Which Apostle received the keys to the kingdom of heaven?
16. Which Apostle was blind for three days?
17. Which Apostle was chosen to replace the traitor?
18. To which Apostle did Jesus say, “Get behind me, Satan!”
19. Who is referred to as “The Beloved Disciple?”
20. Which Apostle was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other Apostles?
21. Which Apostle is mentioned the most in the gospels?
22. Who denied Jesus three times?
23. Which three apostles fell asleep while Jesus was praying in the garden?
24. To whom did Jesus say, “Feed my sheep?”
25. Can you name the twelve Apostles present at the Last Supper?
St. Andrew the Apostle Public Domain Image
St. Andrew, Apostle and Martyr
St. Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. They were both fishermen and followers of John the Baptist when they were called to follow Jesus.
After the resurrection, St. Andrew preached in Greece. He was put to death on an X shaped cross to which he was tied, not nailed. He lived two days, still preaching to those around him.
He is the patron saint of fishermen and two countries; Russia and Scotland.
The feast day of St. Andrew is celebrated on Nov. 30.
The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew by Joseph de Ribera Public Domain Image
St. Bartholomew, Apostle and Martyr
St. Bartholomew was born in Galilee. Bartholomew was one of the original twelve Apostles and present at the Last Supper. He was also known as Nathanael. He witnessed the Ascension.
After the resurrection, Bartholomew preached in India, Ethiopia and Asia Minor. He was flayed and beheaded by King Astyages.
St. Bartholomew is the patron saint against neurological diseases and leather workers.
The feast day of St. Bartholomew is celebrated on Aug. 24.
St. James the Greater by Alonso Cano
St. James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr
St. James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr
St. James the Greater was one of the original twelve apostles. James the Greater was the brother to St. John the Apostle and a cousin to Jesus. He followed John the Baptist before following Jesus. He was a fisherman. He was present at the Last Supper. The two brothers. James and John were called the ‘Sons of Thunder”.
St. James preached in Samaria Judea and Spain after the resurrection. He was the first Apostle to be martyred. He was stabbed with a sword by King Heron Agrippa at Jerusalem.
St. James the Greater is the patron saint of arthritis sufferers, pharmacists and veterinarians.
St. James the Lesser was one of the original twelve apostles. The title Lesser probably meant he was younger than James the Greater. James was a cousin of Jesus and brother to St. Jude Thaddeus.
St James the Lesser was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He was known for his devotion to the poor. He was beaten to death with a club while praying for his attackers.
St.James the Lesser is the patron saint of fullers and pharmacists.
The feast day of St. James the Lesser is celebrated on May 3.
St. John the Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist
St. John the Evangelistwas the Son of Zebedee and Salome. He was the brother to James the Greater. The two brothers were called the “Sons of Thunder. They were both fishermen. John was a followers of John the Baptist before he was called by Jesus.
Peter, James and John were the only witnesses of the raising of Jairus daughter (Mark 5:37), the Transfiguration and the Agony of the Garden.
John and Peter were sent to the city to make preparations for the Last Supper. John become known as ‘The Beloved Disciple’.
John was the only Apostle to remain close to Jesus during the crucifixion. Jesus told him “This is your mother”. while hanging on the cross. (John 19: 27)
After Pentecost, John traveled with Peter and was put in prison. He preached with Peter in Samaria, Palestine and Asia Minor.
The fourth Gospel and the Book of Revelations is attributed to St. John the Evangelist.
St. John the Evangelist lived the longest of the Apostles, dying a natural death.
St. John the Evangelist is the patron saint of writers, editors and publishers.
The feast day of St. John the Evangelist is celebrated on Dec. 27.
St. Judas Iscariot Apostle and Traitor
Judas Iscariot, Apostle and Traitor
Judas Iscariot was called by Jesus to be one of the original twelve Apostles. He was present at the Last Supper. Judas went to the chief priest and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. During the last supper Jesus said“Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” He answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me”
When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders He said “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple he departed; and he went and hanged himself. (Mat 27:4-5)
St. Jude Thaddeus Apostle and Martyr
St. Jude Thaddeus, Apostle and Martyr
St. Jude was one of the original twelve Apostles. He was the son of Cleohas, who died a martyr and Mary who stood at the foot of the cross. He was the brother of St. James the Lesser. and a cousin to Jesus. He was a fisherman. He was present at the Last Supper. He is not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, who was a traitor.
After the resurrection St. Jude preached in Syria and Persia with St. Simon. He was a healer and an exorcist. He was beaten to death with a club then beheaded in Persia. His relics are at St. Peter’s Basilica, in Rome.
St. Jude is known as the patron saint of impossible causes.
The feast day of St. Jude Thaddeus is celebrated on Oct. 28.
St. Mathias
St. Mathias, Apostle and Martyr
St. Mathias was not one of the original twelve Apostles. He was not present at the Last Supper.
After the suicide by hanging of Judas Iscariot, the Apostles decided to choose either Mathias or Joseph called Barsabbas to replace Judas Iscariot. They prayed, saying. “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry which Judas left to go where he belongs.” Acts (1:24) They drew lots and chose Mathias to replace him.
Mathias preached in Judea, Egypt and Ethiopia. Stories of his martyrdom vary. It is believed he was stoned and beheaded.
St. Mathias is the patron saint against alcoholism and smallpox. He is also the patron of carpenters.
The feast day of St. Mathias is celebrated on May 14.
St. Matthew and the Angel
St. Mathew, Apostle and Martyr
St. Mathew was one of the original twelve apostles. He was also known as Levi. He was present at the Last Supper and the Ascension of Our Lord. Before following Jesus, he was a tax collector.
St. Matthew is the author of the first Gospel. After the resurrection he preached to the Hebrews, probably in Ethiopia, Persia and Syria for 15 years. During this time he also wrote his Gospel in Aramaic.
Reports of his martyrdom vary a great deal. It is not certain if he was burned, stoned or beheaded.
St. Matthew is the patron saint of bankers.
The Feast day of St. Matthew is celebrated on Sept. 21.
St. Paul the Apostle
St. Paul, Apostle of the GentilesSt.
St. Paulwas not one of the original twelve Apostles. He persecuted the early Christians. He was present at the stoning of St. Stephen, the first martyr. On the road to Damascus, he was struck by a heavenly light. He heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked “Who are you Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:4-6)
After three days of blindness, scales fell off his eyes. He joined the Apostles becoming known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.
St. Paul wrote many of the books in the New Testament. He was instrumental in the Council of Jerusalem His missionary journeys took him many places: Asia Minor, Macedonia, Jerusalem and Europe.
St. Paul suffered many hardships including three shipwrecks. (2 Cor. 111:20-32)
St. Paul died a martyr. He was beheaded in Rome in the year 65.
St. Paul is the patron saint of writers, publishers, musicians and evangelists.
The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is celebrated Jan 25.
The Feast of Sts. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated June 29
He died a martyr. His feast day is June 29.
St. Peter by Rubens Apostle and Martyr Public Domain Image
St. Peter, Apostle and Martyr
St. Peter was one of the original twelve Apostles. His name was Simon and he is the brother of Andrew. They were fishermen until Jesus.called them saying, “Come and I will make you fishers of men.”
When Jesus asked the Apostles who they believed he was, Peter said “You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”(Matt 1515-19)
He is also known as Simon Peter. St. Peter was married and Jesus healed his mother-in-law who was suffering from a high fever. (Matt 8:14)
St. Peter is mentioned the most often in the Bible and considered the leader of the Apostles. His name is mention 182 times in the Bible.
When Jesus foretells his death, Peter responds by saying “God forbid it Lord! This must never happen to you.” But Jesus turned to Peter saying “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” (Matt 17: 23)
After asking Peter if he loved him Jesus told him “Feed my Sheep.” three times. (John 23:17)
Peter denied Jesus three time during the crucifixion, repenting afterwards. (Matt. 26:69)
St. Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.
St. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen.
The Feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul is celebrated on June 29.
St. Philip the Apostle
St. Philip, Apostle and Martyr
St. Philipwas one of the original apostles. He was born in Bethsaida, Galilee and a follower of John the Baptist. He was present at the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. He was also present at the Last Supper.
After the resurrection Philip preached in Greece and Syria.
St. Philip died a martyr. He was crucified upside down at Hiorapolis under Emperor Domitian.
St. Philip is the patron saint of cooks and bakers.
The feast day of St. Philip is celebrated on May 3.
St. Simon the Zealot
St. Simon the Zealot, Apostle and Martyr
St. Simon was one of the original twelve Apostles. He was present at the Last Supper.
St. Simon was the second Bishop of Jerusalem. He preached in Egypt and Persia with St. Jude where both suffered martyrdom.
There are two stories of his death. The first has him dying by crucifixion in Samaria. The second has him sawed in half in Persia.
St. Simon is the patron saint of tanners.
The feast day of St. Simon is celebrated on Oct. 28.
Doubting Thomas by Caravaggio Apostle and Martyr
St. Thomas, Apostle and Martyr
St. Thomas was also known as “Doubting Thomas”. After the resurrection Jesus appeared to the Apostles. Thomas was not there and did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. When Jesus later appeared to him he said “Peace be with you. Do not doubt but believe.” (John 21:24)
St. Thomas also asked Jesus “How can we follow you, when we know not where you are going?” Jesus responded, “I am the way, the truth and the life. Whoever follows me will live forever.”
Thomas was one of the original twelve apostles. He was present at the Last Supper. He was also present when Jesus had the Apostles lower their nets and they miraculously caught many fish.
After the resurrection, St. Thomas was sent to evangelize the Parthians, the Persians and India. He is believed to have built the first church in India.
St. Thomas died a martyr’s death when at Calamine in India he was speared to death while praying.
St. Thomas is the patron saint of architects and the blind. The feast day of St. Thomas is July 3.
The Last Supper by DaVinci
The Last Supper
All twelve Apostles whom Jesus chose were with him at the Last Supper.
Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon,who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16)
Pentecost Public Domain Image
Pentecost
When the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. (Acts 1:104)
The answers to the questions are the following:
1. The Apostle Peter was married. Jesus healed his mother-in-law.(Matt 8:14)
2. The Sons of Thunder were James the Greater and John the Evangelist
3. St. Paul was shipwrecked three times.(2 Cor. 11:20-32)
4. St.John the Evangelist lived the longest, dying a natural death.
5. St. Thomas, also known as ‘Doubting Thomas’ was told’“Do not doubt but believe” by Jesus.(John 21:24)
6.St. Mathew was a tax collector.
7. St. Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter.
8. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.(Matt. 26:47)
9. Peter while preaching said, “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders. It has become the cornerstone.” (Acts 4:11)
10. Peter tried to walk on water but faltered. (Mat: 14:28)
11. The Transfiguration was witnessed by Peter, John and James.
12. The Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles on Pentecost.
13. Jesus said “This is your mother” to St. John the Evangelist while he hung from the cross.(John 19:26)
14. St. John the Evangelist was the only Apostle who stayed near Jesus during the crucifixion.
15. St. Peter was given the ‘keys to the kingdom of heaven‘.(Matt 16:16)
16. St. Paul was blind for three days after seeing a light from heaven and hearing a voice asking in Hebrew,
“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 26:12)
17. St. Mathias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. (Acts 1:12)
18. Jesus was talking to Simon Peter when he said “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matt 16:21)
19. St. John the Evangelist was known as ‘The beloved disciple’.
20. When Jesus first appeared to the Apostles, Thomas was absent. He did not believe Jesus had risen. (John 21:24)
21. St. Peter is mentioned 93 times in the Gospels; 63 times in the remainder of the New Testament.
John is second, being mentioned 100 times in the Gospels and 30 in the remainder of the New Testament.
22. St. Peter denied Jesus three times during the crucifixion.(Matt 26:69)
23. While praying in the garden, Peter, James and John fell asleep. (Matt 26:36)
24. Jesus told Peter“Feed my Sheep.” three times. (John 21:17)
25. The original Twelve Apostles are the following:
