May 26 – Memorial for St. Philip Neri, Priest
St. Philip Neri (1515-1595) came from a poor family, though he was related to Italian nobility. His father, Francisco Neri, worked as a notary. Philip’s brother died in childhood, but his two sisters, Caterina and Elisabetta survived. He was a pious youth, and was taught humanities by the Dominicans.
He moved to San Germano in 1533 to help some family with their business, and while there would escape to a local Dominican chapel in the mountains. He received word in a vision that he had an apostolate in Rome. He cut himself off from his family and went there, where he was befriended by Galeotto Caccia, who took him in and paid him to tutor his two sons. He wrote poetry in Latin and Italian, and studied philosophy and theology. When he tired of learning, he sold all his books and gave the money to the poor.
He began to visit and care for the sick and impoverished pilgrims. He founded a society of like-minded folk to do the same. He was a friend of St. Ignatius. A layman, he lived in the city as a hermit. During Easter season of 1544, while praying in the catacomb of San Sebastiano, he received a vision of a globe of fire that entered his chest, and he experienced an ecstasy that physically enlarged his heart.
With Persiano Rose, he founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity. He began to preach, with many converts. In 1550, he considered retiring to the life of a solitary hermit, but received further visions that told him his mission was in Rome. Later he considered missionary work in India, but further visions convinced him to stay in Rome.
He entered the priesthood in 1551, and heard confessions by the hour. He could tell penitents their sins before they confessed, and had the gift of conferring visions. He began working with youth, finding safe places for them to stay, and becoming involved in their lives.
Pope Gregory XIV tried to make him a cardinal, but Philip declined. His popularity was such that he was accused of forming his own sect, but was cleared of this baseless charge. In 1575, he founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a group of priests dedicated to preaching and teaching, but which suffered from accusations of heresy because of the involvement of laymen as preachers. In later years, he was beset with several illnesses, each of which was in turn cured through prayer.
- Patron Saint Index
Acts 16:11-15
Jn 15:26-16:4
“When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, he will be my witness.”
It is safe to say that as Catholics, we are familiar with the Three Persons of the Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But do we really know, I mean really know or understand the Trinity.
I must admit, for the longest time, when I prayed, it is usually to the Father, but mostly to the Son, to Jesus Christ. I seldom say a prayer directed to the Holy Spriit other than the ‘Glory Be’. I did not comprehend how and why I should pray to the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t until much later, when it was explained to me, through all the wonderful podcasts by Catholic Theologians and Bible Scholars, that I got a better understanding of the Trinity. It is beyond the scope of this reflection to dig deep into the meaning of the Trinity, suffice it to say that we understand the Persons of the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the perfect love between the Father and the Son.
With that in mind, we can understand a little more of what Jesus said in the Gospel today in the above quote. Because the Holy Spirit is the love of God, the love that is shared between the Father and the Son; therefore, the Spirit of Truth will bear witness to Christ. How can love not attest to the one who loves?
There seems to be a deeper meaning to the above quote, and broader implications as well. Let’s ponder over this together. What are we pondering about, you may ask. The mystery of the Trinity and our relationship with the most Holy Trinity. If we think deeply about this, we will certainly marvel at the generosity of God, at His love and mercy for us. It is very humbling indeed.
God the Father created us and loves us, even when we turn our backs to Him. He did not give up on us and sends His only Son, Lord Jesus Christ to save us. Jesus dies on the Cross and gives Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist. He doesn’t stop there. He sends the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate, Counsellor, to teach, reveal and enlighten us. Do you see that God meant what He promised? He will not leave us orphaned. He will be with us at all times. God pulls out all the stops in His love for us. He wants to be in a loving parent-child relationship with us, ever forgiving, always just and constantly guiding us onto the right path.
Like any loving relationship, it cannot be one way. God has offered His Son and His Holy Spirit to us; it is up to us to receive in gratitude and to trust and love in return.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: My Most Gracious Lord, You have sent the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate, to teach and enlighten us. Please grant us the grace to recognize His voice, and to heed the truth that He is revealing to us, and to grow in closeness with the most Holy Trinity.
Thanksgiving: Most Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending our Lord Jesus Christ to save us and for sending the Holy Spirit to enlighten, guide and protect us. You have given all to us, we praise You, we love You and we adore You.
OXYGEN 
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