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Featured Saint: Philip Neri

neriSaint Philip Neri is one of my favorite saints. OK, every Saint is one of my favorite saints. I might as well own it.

As far as saints go, St. Philip had quite a life of influence, even though he sought humility. He was born in Florence, Italy in 1515 to a family of means. He seemed destined for success in business but had a spiritual conversion that ultimately led to the priesthood. Neri worked with the poor and sick, and ministered to prostitutes.

Neri’s gift was engaging people in conversation, and then leading them to conversion by having them ponder questions he posed to them. He’s probably best known for creating the Oratory, a congregation he founded for mission work in Rome, and dedicated himself to preaching sermons through Rome.

St. Philip Neri became increasingly popular. He was playful and clever, and often made himself a source of ridicule in order to deflect much of the admiration that came his way. His wisdom, and particularly his use of humor, has drawn me to him, as it did those who knew him. St. Philip approached life with a joyful heart, and endeavored to spread that joy.

I leave you with his best advice:

It is useful for those who minister the word of God, or give themselves up to prayer, to read the works of authors whose names begin with the letter S, such as Saint Augustine, Saint Bernard, etc.

 

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Edel15, a highlight or three

I posted a few days ago that I’d be gone to a conference, and left an inspirational quote from the woman for whom the conference is named, Edel Mary Quinn. I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, I had a general idea, you know. There’d be women there. Lots of women who are mothers, so there were babies, too. So many cute babies.

And there was going to be this shoe thing. And a number of women I knew either in person or from their writing.

What I found was lots of women —  a good cross-representation in fact.  I wrote the following to a friend:

My favorite thing about it was that there was a level of intimacy that built upon common experiences. I was able to find women who shared some of my experiences. You know, not the picture perfect life we’d like to project to the world, but real women experiencing the joy and the pain of motherhood. I met single moms, divorced moms, widows, happily married women, mothers of babies and grown children. Women praying for their fallen away children, women joyful at their large families. All of us were there, you know what I mean? And all of us were reveling in the silliness, and reveling in the source of true joy!

I couldn’t have anticipated the blessing and graces from such a truly joyful gathering. There were inspiring talks, dancing and singing, Adoration and Benediction, shopping (some awesome vendors!) delicious, I MEAN Delicious! Food!, a fantastic cocktail name Edel (naturally), and a sense of community that built upon last year’s event, but remained inclusive throughout. That is surely a hallmark of the event, a testament to how the organizers were present throughout, and how the women themselves were friendly and outgoing.

 

*Check back later for an update with pictures facing the right way.

 

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5 down, 20 to go

I’m still reading ahead of what I’m posting, but I’m excited to say that I am going strong in my personal challenge to read 25 books for pleasure this year. It’s a huge number for me because I do a lot of reading for work.

brewThe Catholic Drinkie’s Guide to Home-Brewed Evangelization by Sarah Vabulas could fit into several categories, but I’m going with history because frankly it’s the historical snippets and trivia in the book that tickled me. I’m not likely to be a brewer, but I do drink an occasional beer. I’ve enjoyed reading about the history of brewing, and over all, the history of alcohol as it relates to the Catholic faith.

But it’s more than a history book. Vabulas weaves personal stories of evangelization through stories on the lives of saints and holy people, breweries, information on varieties of alcoholic beverages, and a collection of recipes that both instructs and entertains. She’s like the neighborhood bartender — mixes a great drink for you, serves it beautifully, and then leans on the bar with a smile and an open heart to engage, really engage, in conversations about faith, inspiration, and the Gospel. 

Vabs’ casual style and quick wit comes through right out of the gate:

Thomas Merton wrote in the Contemplation in a World of Action, “I drink beer whenever I can lay my hands on any. I love beer, and, by that very fact, the world.” I’m not sure if he loved the world before or after a beer or just because beer exists, but he’s on the right track.

 

You’ll want to read this book, and then impress your friends with your amazing knowledge next time you’re out for beers. Or wine. Or you know what, just having good friendly conversation over any beverage.

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