26 May 2022
Memorial of Saint Philip Neri, Priest
Recalling that it is Ascencion Thursday, I would like to note that it is also Feast Day of Philip Neri. Neri was a near a younger contemporary of Ignatius and like Ignatius worked in the city of Rome and is often referred to as the apostle of Rome. Whereas Ignatius basically resided at his desk and assured the organizational structure of the Jesuits, Neri tended to deal with individuals by his preaching and hearing confessions. Neri also advanced a way of helping people learn about the faith by means of dramatic presentations in which songs and acting played an important role. In fact, many identify his method of presenting the faith as a birthplace of opera. Perhaps not as strong an administrator and organizer as Ignatius, Neri was considered a bit more light hearted then the founder of the Jesuits. In many ways Neri’s admonition that “a joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one,” imitated the joy expressed in today’s readings that describe the apostles who returned to Jerusalem praising God. Neri stands in the tradition likewise followed by Mother Teresa, who saw joy as one of the best means of delivering the good news of God’s love.