St. Philip Neri

It’s easy to think that holiness means being serious all the time, but the example of St. Philip Neri shows us that true holiness can be full of joy.
 
Born in Florence in 1515, St. Philip was affectionately known as Pippo Buono growing up, or “Good Little Phil” in Italian. He had an engaging and cheerful personality even as a child, earning him admiration from those who met him.
 
At 18, St. Philip moved to Rome, where he developed a life centered on prayer and study of theology and philosophy. His commitment to prayer was very intentional and he would often spend hours at holy sites around Rome. During one of these visits, St. Philip had a profound spiritual experience that he referred to as his “conversion.” In a vision, he saw a ball of fire enter his chest, which caused his heart to expand so much that his ribs were reportedly expanded to make room for it. This powerful grace filled him with a joyful fervor for serving others, a passion he would carry with him for the rest of his life.
 
What made St. Philip’s holiness unique was not just his prayer life, but the way he lived it out. His joy was very contagious, and his sense of humor allowed him to connect with people from all walks of life, regardless of their status or station in life. He liked to go out into the public piazzas of Rome, offering counsel and sharing the faith with anyone who would listen. He had a knack for putting others at ease, and people found him approachable and wise. His popularity grew quickly in Rome – so much so that Pope Clement VII knew of him.
 
After his ordination to the priesthood, he continued using his gifts of prayer, counsel, and joy, except now he did so when he celebrated the sacraments – especially in the confessional. He would hear confessions all day long, using it as an opportunity to combine the forgiveness of sins with kind and gentle spiritual advice, sometimes giving people a laugh too.
 
As St. Philip’s influence grew, so did the number of people who sought him out. His home became known as the “Christian Home of Mirth.” People were so drawn to St. Philip’s holiness that his home and parish became places where they gathered not only for spiritual advice, but also for fellowship and community. Over time, these gatherings naturally developed into regular meetings of prayer and spiritual discussion, eventually forming a community known as “the Oratory.” This group of disciples followed St. Philip’s example of holiness, learning from him how to live the Christian life.
 
Whether they discussed the sacraments, prayer, or famous works of literature and art, St. Philip helped them see how all these things could help them grow in holiness. It was a testament to St. Philip’s unique approach – holiness was not about withdrawing from the world, but about sanctifying ordinary life through fellowship and discussions about the spiritual life.
 
St. Philip’s example reminds us that the pursuit of holiness and virtue can be filled with joy. This Christmas season, let us pray for holiness like St. Philip Neri—embracing joy in our faith, lifting the spirits of those around us, and drawing closer to Christ through both prayer and laughter. St. Philip Neri, pray for us!