MEMORIAL OF SAINT PHILIP NERI, PRIEST AND SAINT ELEUTHERIUS, POPE AND MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY – MAY 26TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest and Saint Eleutherius, Pope and Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick, especially those suffering from terminal diseases. We also pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for the poor and needy. We pray for all those in the military. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏🏽
SAINT PHILIP NERI, PRIEST: St. Philip Neri (1515–1595) was born in Florence, Italy in 1515, to the noble class. He was a dutiful child with a cheerful disposition, making him popular with all who knew him. From his sixth year he was characterized by most perfect obedience toward his parents. He lived a spotless childhood in Florence. At the age of 18 he was to begin an apprenticeship for a career in business and was sent to his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant at San Germano, a Neapolitan town near the base of Monte Cassino, to assist him in his business, and with the hope that he might inherit his uncle’s fortune. He gained Romolo’s confidence and affection, but soon after coming to San Germano St. Philip had a religious conversion. From then onward, after having a mystical experience, his life was radically changed, he no longer cared for things of the world, and decided in 1533 to live in Rome.
He traveled to Rome and entrusted himself completely to God’s providence. While in Rome, he found living accommodations with a fellow Florentine nobleman in exchange for tutoring his sons, which Philip did with great skill. He then enrolled in philosophy and theology classes at a local monastery in order to become a priest. Although he excelled in his studies, eventually St. Philip became bored of learning, he suddenly quit in order to spiritually serve the people of Rome. So he sold all of his books, gave the money he received from them to the poor, and visited the sick under the guidance of the Augustinians. At that time, indifference, luxury, and corruption were widespread characteristics of the Roman clergy. Churches were neglected, flocks were abandoned, and the loss of faith was widespread. St. Philip Neri, with his commitment to a life of asceticism, was a contradiction to all of this malaise. With his characteristic good-naturedness, he lead many to a life of virtue and love for God as he traveled through the streets of Rome.
He began an oratory for laymen to gather together and practice greater spiritual discipline, which grew and became famous. In obedience to his spiritual director he finally became a priest at the age of 36, ordained in June 1551. His desire to save souls caused him to establish the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity in 1548, with the object of serving pilgrims and the sick. Many people converted thanks to St. Philip’s preaching and example. Many people came to him for confession. He also began to work with youth. Pope Gregory XIV wanted to make St. Philip a cardinal, but the priest declined. The saintly priest now began to dwell in a small community near the Church of St. Jerome, continuing his mortified life. He then founded the Congregation of the Oratory, also known as the Oratorians, dedicated to preaching and teaching, and they still exist today. In 1575, Gregory XIII approved it, and in 1583 gave to St. Philip the new Church of La Vallicella, which is still called La Chiesa Nuova—The New Church. Here the Saint lived, edifying all Rome by his virtues and laboring zealously for souls in the ministry of the confessional. He enjoyed the favor of Popes Pius IV and V, Gregory XIII and XIV and Clement VIII, and the friendship of many great men, among whom was St. Charles Borromeo. After a life of penance and of eminent usefulness, St. Philip died May 27, 1595, and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. St. Philip Neri is known as the “Apostle of Rome.” He is the Patron Saint of Rome and the U.S. Army Special Forces.
PRAYER: God, You never cease raising Your faithful servant to the glory of holiness. Grant that we may be inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit that so wonderfully burned in the heart of St. Philip. Amen🙏🏽
SAINT ELEUTHERIUS, POPE AND MARTYR: Pope Eleutherius, also known as Eleutherus, was the thirteenth bishop of Rome of the Catholic Church from c. 174 to his death in 189. St. Eleutherius, who governed the Church for more than 15 years, after the persecution of the Emperor Commodus. Faith, at the time, made great progress in the whole world. He ruled between Soter and Victor I and ruled longer than any pope who came before him.
Eleutherius was born at Nicopolis in Greece. He was a deacon of Pope Anicetus, and was chosen to govern the Church during the reign of the emperor Commodus. At the beginning of his pontificate he received letters from Lucius, king of the Britons, begging him to receive himself and his subjects among the Christians. Wherefore Eleutherius sent into Britain Fugatius and Damian, two learned and holy men; through whose ministry the king and his people might receive the faith. It was also during his pontificate that Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp, went to Rome, and was kindly received by Eleutherius. The Church of God was then enjoying great peace and calm, and the faith made progress throughout the whole world, but nowhere more than at Rome. Eleutherius governed the Church fifteen years and twenty-three days. He thrice held ordinations in December, at which he made twelve priests, eight deacons, and fifteen bishops for diverse places. He was buried in the Vatican, near the body of St Peter. I ì, O Almighty God, and since the burden of our deeds is grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Eleutherius Thy martyr and bishop may protect us… Amen🙏🏽