Saint Philip Neri is a particular saint. If you really want to choose an adjective, it can be said that his was a cheerful sanctity; in the sense that it was a holiness marked by the desire to highlight how Christian life is capable of giving true joy. Philip Neri (“Pippo bono” for friends) it was brilliant, witty, he always had a ready and biting joke (like a good Tuscan) and so much goodness, understanding and availability. “Retreat, Gentleman, retreat. Hold back the wave of your grace” he said when his heart was full of happiness and gratitude. At the same time he prayed to the Lord to keep his hand on his head."…otherwise – he used to say- Filippo, without your help, he does some of his own.”
Holiness as a providential sign
The sanctity of Saint Philip is a providential sign in a time in which Catholicism had to respond to the sad Lutheran atmospheres. It must be remembered, Indeed, that the Protestant theory of justification , as a simple attestation from God but not as a real and substantial event in the human soul, it entailed an admittedly pessimistic perspective in the theology of the Reformation, distressing and sad. More simply - according to Protestantism- God would not recognize it as true justification of the sinner, but he would pretend that it is so even if it is not; instead in Catholicism the justification it is real and substantial.
But let's go back to Saint Philip Neri. He was born in Florence in 1515. Son of a notary, He was soon orphaned by his mother; ma, despite this, he had a peaceful childhood, facilitated by his cheerful temperament. He studied music and poetry and was very sensitive to beauty, especially that of nature.
At eighteen he was sent to Cassino, from a merchant uncle to learn the trade. However, in the Lazio town he was immediately attracted by the majestic abbey and felt a strong push towards religious life, but the Lord did not want him to be a monk.
Culture as a means, not as an end
He then decided to move to Rome where he took several university lessons in Wisdom. But not even the demanding study could fill his heart and he arrived (he was twenty-four years old) to get rid of all the books he owned (he sold them and distributed the proceeds to the poor). He decided to keep only the Bible and the Summa of St. Thomas: excellent choice! For this gesture (which he will repeat even on his deathbed by burning all his manuscripts) one must not think that he was ignorant. He had an excellent culture and was an advisor to people such as Pope Clement VIII and Saint Charles Borromeo. His was not a rejection of culture in itself but of that attitude of pure intellectualism so fashionable in those times of fascination with ancient pagan atmospheres. Saint Philip, Instead, he saw culture as a means, not an end, he saw in it only a weapon to fulfill that evangelizing mission which was typical of past times, that is, of the medieval intellectual. So it was that he decided to become a wandering preacher, frequenting the poorest neighborhoods of Rome, the most abandoned hospitals, the prisons. E, everywhere he went, he brought the Word of God accompanied by an evident and charming good humor.
A life for kids
He came to the priesthood late: he was thirty-six years old. Immediately afterwards he put together the first oratory, first nucleus of the institution which will be definitively approved in 1575 with the title of “Congregation of the Oratory”. Institution that should have lasted over time and that had to "educate while having fun".
San Filippo had already become the idol of abandoned children in Roman villages. He had gathered them in the "Oratory of divine love" to educate them, keep them happy, away from bad company and make them grow up as good Christians. For the salvation of their souls and bodies, he went as far as begging in the streets and at the doors of the most sumptuous palaces. It is said that, one day, a gentleman, considering himself annoyed by his requests, he gave him a slap. Filippo was not dismayed: “This is for me – he said smiling- and I thank you. Now give me something for my boys.”
A sanctity without discounts
Saint Philip said: “It is possible to restore human institutions with holiness, do not restore holiness with institutions.” He was in fact convinced that any reform was possible only with the Life of Grace, that is, with personal sanctity. He wanted everyone who came into contact with him to aim primarily at Christian perfection, and he did it with all his wit and cheerfulness. We tell two episodes that have remained famous.
One day a peasant woman came to him who in confession accused herself of speaking badly of others. Saint Philip gave her absolution. The peasant woman returned a few days later accusing herself of the same sin. Saint Philip gave her absolution again. A few more days passed and the woman returned to the Saint accusing herself of the same sin. Then Saint Philip told her: “I absolve you, but as penance you must do this: take the biggest chicken you have, tensioner, throw the feathers in the air and then make a good broth with it.” The peasant girl was astonished by that so little "penitential" penance., but he obeyed. After a few days he returned to San Filippo, still with the same sin. What the Saint told her: “Do you remember that hen you plucked a few days ago to make a good broth?” The woman nodded. “Bene –he filmed Saint Philip- now as penance go and collect all the feathers of that hen that you threw into the air.” The peasant protested: “Ma, padre, how do I do it? The wind took them away!” San Filippo concluded: “That's what your mean talk is. They are like feathers thrown into the air, they cannot be resumed again. How do you repair the damage of speaking ill of your neighbor?”
Another episode tells of a noblewoman who often went to the Mass celebrated by Saint Philip. After taking Communion, she left without giving a proper thank you. This happened often. One day, before starting the celebration of Mass, Saint Philip said to two altar boys: “At my sign, follow with lit candles a woman who I will point out to you.” The Mass began, after Communion, the usual noblewoman, received the host, left the Church. Saint Philip signaled to the two altar boys and they obeyed instantly. The two children, with two large candles lit, they followed the woman. This obviously turned around and asked them why. The children told the truth and the woman, visibly nervous, he returned to the church to ask the priest for explanations. “How dare you?” said to St. Philip, but these in return: "Lady, I allowed myself because he was carrying the Holy Eucharist in procession through the streets of Rome. Does he know it or does he not know that every time we receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament we become living tabernacles for a while??” The noblewoman understood everything and did not dare answer.
A heart full of God's love
This was Saint Philip Neri. He died at the age of eighty, In the 1595. The doctors, examining his body, they found the heart muscle larger than normal and they also found two inclined ribs to make room for the beats of that heart so full of love for God and, through God, for men.
He was canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XVI after a trial full of testimonies.
God is Truth, Goodness and Beauty
The Path of the Three Paths
source – http://itresentieri.it/26-maggio-san-filippo-neeri-un-santo-per-capire-quanto-il-cristianesimo-sia-gioia/