"Whoever wants something other than Christ, does not know what he wants; whoever asks for something other than Christ, does not know what he asks; who does not work for Christ, does not know what he does," said St. Felipe Neri, patron of educators and humorists, as well as the founder of the oratory in Rome.
"Whoever wants something other than Christ, does not know what he wants; whoever asks for something other than Christ, does not know what he asks; who does not work for Christ, does not know what he does," said St. Felipe Neri, patron of educators and humorists, as well as the founder of the oratory in Rome.
San Felipe Neri was born in Florence (Italy) in 1515.
At 17 he was sent to San Germano to learn from business and had a mystical experience that the saint would call his "conversion." He went to Rome without money and without any project trusting the Divine Providence.
He obtained work educating the children of a Customs Florentino, who behaved very well with Felipe's direction. In his spare time he was dedicated to prayer. Later he studied philosophy and theology, but when he opened a brilliant career, he left his studies and gave himself to the apostolate.
On the eve of Pentecost of 1544 he asked in prayer the gifts of the Holy Spirit when he lowered a balloon of fire that was expanding in his chest. San Felipe fell to the ground asking the Lord to stop, but when he fully recovered consciousness, he had a pump in the size of a fist, which never caused him pain.
Later he founded the brotherhood of the Holy Trinity, known as the brotherhood of the poor. He was ordained a priest and exercised the apostle of the confessional several hours a day. He often fell into ecstasy at Mass and some came to see him levitating.
He organized the spiritual conversations that used to end the visit to the Blessed Sacrament. The people called them the "speaking" because the bell touched to call the faithful to pray in their oratory. As he wanted to go from missionary to India, San Juan Evangelista appeared to him and told him that his mission was in Rome.
Subsequently, the Congregation of the Oratory began. The Virgin appeared to her and cured him of a gallbladder disease. The saint also had the gift of healing, reading thoughts and prophecy.
At the end of his life, on May 25, 1595, Corpus Christi Day, San Felipe Neri was overflowing with joy and had not been seen so well in recent years. He confessed throughout the day and received visitors. Towards midnight he suffered an acute attack and left for the father's house.
San Felipe said: "Oh Lord that you are so adorable and have you sent me to love you, why you gave me just a heart and is so small?" After the autopsy, it was revealed that the saint had two broken ribs and that they were arched to leave the heart more. His remains rest in the church of Santa María in Vallicela.
January 26, 2022
Fuente: Aci preasa