THE MEMORIAL OF ST PHILIP NERI, PRIEST.
MEMORIAL OF ST PHILIP NERI, PRIEST.
Tuesday May 26th in the 8th Week in the Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Philip Neri, Priest. (1515 - 1595). St Philip Neri was an Italian Priest.
St Philip Neri was an extraordinary priest filled with the Holy Spirit and ecstatic joy.
He founded the Congregation of the Oratory, the same religious community that gave the Church St John Henry Newman.
St Philip Neri converted thousands through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
He was a great catechist and spiritual director. He was noted for his joyful and cheerful disposition which attracted thousands to him.
One of my favorite quotes from Philip is:
"One of the very best means of obtaining humility is sincere and frequent confession."
A HUNDRED FOLD REWARD PLUS PERSECUTIONS.
THE GOOD NEWS:
"Peter began to say to Jesus,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
"Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.
"But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first." (Mark 10: 28 - 31).
What is the promise of Jesus to those who sacrificed the comfort of family, country and property to follow Him and spread the Good News?
Jesus promises that they will "receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
This is a huge promise! This is like a million times return on investment!
Please read this too:
All these goodies and bonuses will come with:
"persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."
Are you dismayed that the promises are spoiled by the guaranteed persecutions?
You should not be. Here is why?
1. The full truth of the Gospel is that our Leader Jesus Christ suffered much before He took possession of His Kingdom and the precious promises of the Kingdom of God.
2. To compare the persecution with the guaranteed promises is like comparing a mosquito bite to an amputation without anasthesia.
3. The full truth of the Gospel is that comforts and crosses are always mixed.
No cross, no crown. No trials, no triumph.
Understand and accept the Gospel and you will be strong to cope with the sacrifices and enjoy the promises.
4. Think of all the saints of the Church. The youngest we celebrate here is St Maria Goretti. She was twelve years. The oldest is St Alphonsus Liguori. He was 91 years. All the saints heard and believed the promises of Jesus Christ.
The Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Month of May.
"God, who has determined that we should have all things through Mary, wills that we should look to her for all our hope, all our grace, and all our salvation."
(St Alphonsus Liguori, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH. - GLORIES OF MARY).
Honor Mary through the Holy Rosary, Litany, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pilgrimages, etc.
For the Litany, 15 Promises of Mary, Consecration Prayer, etc and Prayer intentions click the link below:
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