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.
There are seven sacraments in the Catholic Church. A sacrament is described as “an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.”
Grace is a gift from God. We can ask for it, but it cannot be forced. God gives us his grace by his own free will. Imagine Christmas. The gifts under the tree are presents freely given. God’s grace is the present of God’s presence.
Each sacrament is an opportunity to receive God’s grace (His presence in our life). When we receive the grace of God through the sacraments, we become more open to the presence of God in our life.
The seven sacraments are Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick. Test your knowledge to find out if you understand the sacraments.
Which sacrament can be received as an infant?
A deacon can be the minister in which sacraments?
The Holy Spirit has three symbols. What are they?
Extreme Unction is another name for which sacrament.
Which sacrament makes us a member of the family of God?
Before receiving the Eucharist, one must be in a state of _________.
To have ones sins absolved, one should receive this sacrament.
Water is the symbol of which sacrament?
A priest or deacon must be a witness to this sacrament.
What is another name for the sacrament of Reconciliation.
In which sacrament do we receive the Holy Spirit?
Which three sacraments are called the sacraments of initiation?
Which two sacraments are vocational sacraments?
Which two sacraments are sacraments of healing?
Which sacrament removes the stain of original sin?:
Which sacrament requires an act of contrition?
The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is also known as what?
There is only one sacrament we are encouraged to receive often, even daily. Which one is it?
In which sacrament do we choose a patron saint?
Which sacrament must be administered by a bishop not a priest?
Each of the sacraments has a biblical beginning Read the biblical text which refers to each sacrament. The last photo you will find the answers to the questions.
Sacrament of Baptism
Sacrament of Baptism
Mathew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Sacrament of Confirmation
Sacrament of Confirmation
Acts 8:14
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
Matthew 19:3-11
Some Pharisees approached him, and tested him, saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” He said in reply, “Have you not read that from the beginning the creator made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”
They said to him, “Then why did Moses command that the man give the woman a bill of divorce and dismiss her?” He said to them,“Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, unless the marriage is unlawful, and marries commits adultery.” His disciples said to him. “If that is the case of a man and his wife, it is better not to marry. He answered, “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted.”
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Mark 3: 13
He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles to be with him and to be sent out and proclaim the message and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter) James, son of Zebadee and John the brother of James (Sons of thunder) and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew and Mathew and Thomas and James, son of Alphaeses and Thadaeus and Simon the Cananaen and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation
John 20:19
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you”.
After he said this he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”
When he had said this he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any they are retained.”
Sacrament of the Eucharist
Eucharist
Mathew 26:26
While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it, gave it to the disciples and said “Take and eat, this is my body”.
Then he took a cup and after giving thanks he gave it to them saying “Drink from it all of you for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers kingdom.”
Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick
Anointing the sick
Mark 6:7
He called the twelve and began to send them two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff, no bread, no bag, no money in their belts, but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”
So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
The Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
1. The Sacrament of Baptism is often received as an infant.
2. A deacon may baptize, anoint the sick and witness a marriage.
3. The symbols of the Holy Spirit are wind, fire and a dove.
4. Anointing of the sick is another name for the sacrament formerly known as Extreme Unction.
5. Baptism initiates a person into the family of God.
6. One must be in a state of grace (free from grave sin) to receive the Sacrament or the Eucharist.
7. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation the priest (in the name of Christ) absolves (forgives) the person of his or her sins.
8. Living water is the symbol of Baptism. It must be flowing water.
9. The sacrament of Holy Matrimony must be witnessed by a priest or deacon to be considered a sacramental marriage.
10. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also call the Sacrament of Confession or Penance.
11. We receive the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
12. The sacraments of initiation are Baptism. Eucharist, and Confirmation.
13. The vocational sacraments are Holy Orders and Holy Matrimony.
14. The sacraments of healing are Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick.
15. Baptism removes the stain of original sin.
16. Reconciliation requires an Act of Contrition.
17. The belief that the bread and wine in the Eucharist become the body and blood of Jesus after being consecrated by the priest or bishop is known as “The Real Presence.”
18. We are encouraged to receive the Eucharist daily if possible.
19. When receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation we choose a patron saint.
20. Holy Orders must be received from a validly ordained Bishop. Every Catholic bishop can trace his ordination back to the original twelve Apostles.
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? A disciple is someone who believes in and follows Jesus. Jesus calls each one of us in a different way. Each of us has a unique gift to offer him.
When we love someone, we want to spend time with them. The same is true if we love Jesus. Spending time with Him by studying scripture and in prayer will help our relationship with Him to grow.
The Saints of the Catholic Church are role models for us on our pilgrimage on earth. Each one of them loved Jesus with all there heart and soul.
The following quotes give us a glimpse of how they loved and followed Jesus. May we also get to know Jesus and seek to do His will always.
St. Teresa of Avila
St. Teresa of Avila
If obedience sends you to the kitchen, remember that the Lord walks among the pots and pans and that He will keep you in inward tasks and in outward ones too.
St. Teresa of Avila
Untilled soil, however fertile it may be, will bear thistles and thorns and so it is with man’s mind.
St. Teresa of Avila
You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.
For the Christian there is no such thing as a “stranger”, there is only the neighbor…the person near us and needing us.
St. Edith Stein
If we place our hands into the hands of the divine Child, if we say “Yes” to the “Follow me”, then we are His, and the way is free for His divine life to flow into us.
O Lord my God, make me submissive without protest, poor without discouragement, chaste without regret, patient without complaint, humble without posturing, cheerful without frivolity, mature without gloom, and quick witted without flippancy.
