Homily #090526 ( 09min) Play – St. Philip Neri, apostle of Rome and spiritual director of the famous polyphonic composer Palestrina, is honored in today’s mass.
Ave Maria! Mass readings

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #140526b ( 15min) Play – Fr. Elias on the life of St. Philip Neri who exemplified spiritual joy in a similar way to St Francis who understood that joy is of God while discouragement and misery is of the Devil. He used this joy to lead many to God and to bring about a true reformation to counter the Protestant Reformation.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Philip Neri – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Monday 6th Week of Easter
1st: act 16:11-15
Resp: psa 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9
Gsp: joh 15:26-16:4

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #140526n ( 09min) Play – Fr. Joachim gives us an overview of St. Philip Neri’s life and vocation, and encourages us to imitate his example of joyful service to God and finding our peace in the will of God.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Philip Neri – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Monday 6th Week of Easter
1st: act 16:11-15
Resp: psa 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 9
Gsp: joh 15:26-16:4

Audio (MP3)

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Homily #150526b ( 14min) Play – Fr. Alan on the life of St. Philip Neri who used a positive approach to address the many troubles of his times brought on by the Renaissance and the reactionary Protestant Reformation. He encouraged all the good elements of the Renaissance, redirecting it in a more constructive direction and fostering a solid program for teaching the truths of the Catholic faith to combat Protestantism.
Ave Maria!
Mass: St. Philip Neri – Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Tuesday 8th Week of Ordinary Time
1st: sir 35:1-12
Resp: psa 50:5-6, 7-8, 14, 23
Gsp: mar 10:28-31

Audio (MP3)

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Fr. Elias on the joy of St. Philip Neri and how important joy is to becoming a saint, this should be easy when we reflect that we possess eternal life where we will be with God for ever.

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Philip Neri – Mem
Readings: Thursday 8th Week of Ordinary Time
1st: 1pe 2:2-5, 9-12
Resp: psa 100:2, 3, 4, 5 0
Gsp: mar 10:46-52

Audio (MP3)

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For the homily on the memorial of St. Philip Neri (May 26), Fr.  Alan relates the example of the saint’s childlike humor and humility to today’s Gospel truth: “whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Philip Neri – Mem

Readings: Saturday 7th Week of Ordinary Time
1st: Jas 5:13-20
Resp: Ps 141:1-2, 3, 8 0
Gsp: Mk 10:13-16

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1080&r=1606

See also the Taizé article: “Children: What does it mean to ‘welcome God’s kingdom like a child’?” (https://www.taize.fr/en_article3260.html)

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The post Childlike Humility, Kingdom’s Key – May 26 – Homily – Fr Alan first appeared on AirMaria.com.

Mary, I love you.
Mary, make me live in God, with God, and for God.
Draw me after you, holy Mother.
O Mary, may your children persevere in loving you.
Mary, Mother of God and Mother of Mercy, pray for me and for the departed.
Mary, Holy Mother of God, be our helper.
In every difficulty and distress, come to our aid, O Mary.

O Queen of Heaven, lead us to eternal life with God.
Mother of God, remember me, and help me always to remember you.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me.

St. Philip Neri (feast day is May 26th)

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Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 18, 2023, on the life of St. Felix of Cantalice, a Capuchin Franciscan brother who humbly begged for bread for his friary.

St. Felix, born on May 18th, 1515 in Cantalice, was known for his devout faith from an early age. Employed as a shepherd boy, he embraced solitude for prayer and penance, influencing others with his virtue. His reputation for piety led his employer to move him closer, allowing him to attend Mass. Amid a life of prayer and penance, he had a miraculous encounter that spurred his entry into the Capuchin order.

As a friar, St. Felix performed different duties before being assigned as a questor, responsible for begging for the friary’s needs. A mature and spiritually grounded man, he navigated the city while maintaining his devout nature, thereby becoming the face of the Capuchins during a challenging time for the order. His saintly demeanor restored public faith in the Capuchins.

St. Felix was a close friend and advisor to St. Philip Neri, both having a heart for the poor. They often met in the streets, engaging in discussions of wisdom and spirituality, intentionally behaving in ways to dissuade people from venerating them. Yet, their humility and genuine faith only reinforced their sanctity in the public eye.

Uneducated but profoundly wise, St. Felix acted as a counselor to cardinals and Pope Sixtus V. His devotion was to Christ and the Blessed Virgin, as symbolized by his saying about “five red letters” and “one white letter”. His unwavering faith was evident in his lifestyle, involving minimal sleep, hard work, and extreme humility.

St. Felix, despite his hardships and burdens, always kept his faith. His humility was an inspiration to all, showcasing the power of simple devotion to God. He was known for his deep prayer life and miraculous encounters, like holding the child Jesus, which further affirmed his sanctity.

On his 74th birthday, May 18, 1587, St. Felix died. After overcoming a final demonic temptation through his faith in Christ, he had a vision of the Blessed Virgin with angels. Post-death, his sores healed, and he was immediately venerated as a saint. His canonization process was initiated promptly, contrary to the usual decades-long wait, showcasing his influence and the strength of his faith.

00:00 – Introduction
00:10 – Early Life of St. Felix
01:23 – Divine Intervention and St. Felix’s Devotion
01:42 – St. Felix’s Spiritual Journey Towards Becoming a Hermit
02:44 – Entrance into the Capuchins
03:07 – Assignment in Rome and Role as a Questor
04:21 – Public Interactions and Influence on Capuchin’s Image
05:52 – St. Felix’s Relationship with St. Philip Neri
07:17 – St. Felix as a Counselor to Cardinals and Pope Sixtus V
08:10 – St. Felix’s Wisdom through the Crucifix and Mary

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Felix of Cantalice – Feast – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=638
Readings:
1st: act 2:44-47
Resp: psa 131:1-3
Gsp: luk 12:22-31

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=648

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Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on May 26, 2025, where he describes St. Philip Neri’s virtuous life, mystical experiences, and founding of the Oratory in Rome.

Father recounts the life of St. Philip Neri, born in Florence in 1515, who grew up virtuous amid political turmoil, earning the nickname “Good People” for his gentle nature. At 17, he went to Cassino but felt called to Rome in 1533, living as a hermit and teacher. His mystical experience on Pentecost 1544, where a globe of fire expanded his heart, reflects God’s love dwelling in us (1 John 4:16). He served the sick and pilgrims, founding the Confraternity of Pilgrims and Convalescents in 1548, embodying charity (1 Corinthians 13:1). Ordained in 1551, he guided youth to sanctity, despite opposition, and his plea for patience during Mass echoes perseverance in trials (James 1:2). He founded the Oratory in 1575, using music and preaching to spread faith. His humility, seen in his quirky acts to avoid pride, aligns with humility before God (James 4:6). His devotion to Mary, whom he called “my mama,” reflects her intercessory role (CCC 971). He died in 1595, receiving the sacraments (CCC 1524, CCC 1499), leaving a legacy of holiness.

For Further Reading

1 John 4:16 – NAB – God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4?16
1 Corinthians 13:1 – NAB – Love is patient, love is kind – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/13?1
James 1:2 – NAB – Consider it joy when facing trials – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/1?2
James 4:6 – NAB – God opposes proud, favors humble – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/james/4?6
Catechism of the Catholic Church #971 – Mary’s Role in Salvation – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a9p6.htm#971
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1524 – Viaticum for the Dying – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1524.htm
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1499 – Anointing of the Sick – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a5.htm#1499
Catholic Encyclopedia – St. Philip Neri – Biography of the saint – https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12018b.htm
Franciscan Media – St. Philip Neri – Profile of the saint – https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-philip-neri/

00:00 – Introduction to St. Philip
00:27 – Virtuous Childhood
01:12 – Journey to Cassino
01:24 – Hermit Life in Rome
02:42 – Mystical Fire Experience
03:32 – Founding the Confraternity
04:11 – Becoming a Priest
07:00 – Oratory and Legacy

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Philip Neri – Mem – http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=97
Readings: Monday 6th Week of Easter – http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052625.cfm
1st: act 16:11-15
Resp: psa 149:1-6, 9
Gsp: joh 15:26-16:4

More on the Readings: http://dev.airmaria.com/r?m=1080&r=1720

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