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St. Philip Neri was born in Florence, Italy in 1515. As a child, his nickname was "Good little Phil." He was always so cheerful and friendly that everyone he met loved him. Philip went to Rome as a teenager and studied theology and philosophy. He was a good student and a very active Christian. He helped poor children and donated his time to the sick. He was a friend to people who were troubled and lonely. Philip helped start an organization of lay people to take care of needy pilgrims. That ministry gradually continued as a famous hospital in Rome. Philip became a priest at the age of thirty-six and quickly became sought after as a confessor. Long lines of people came to him for the sacrament of Reconciliation. People began to notice that he could read their minds at times and in some circumstances predict the future. The Lord even worked miracle through him. All he wanted to do was bring Jesus to the people. To avoid their admiration, he acted silly once in a while. He wanted people to laugh and forget that they thought he was holy. Philip became known as the 'apostle of Rome.' He died at the age of eighty in 1595 and was proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. Cheerfulness is an important part of holiness. St. Philip Neri's story teaches us that the way to be really happy is to put God and other people first in our lives. If we only think about ourselves we will never feel satisfied. |
