As the home of the Pope and his Curia, as well as the locus of many sites and relics of veneration related to the apostles, saints, and martyrs; Rome has been a destination for pilgrims for most of Christian history.
Rome was certainly the destination for today’s saint, Philip Neri. He was born in Florence. And already when he was just about five years old, he was known as “good little Philip” by his parents because of his innocence and obedience. At age 8, he almost died, a horse fell on top of him crushing him to the ground, but when he emerged unscathed he credited his preservation to God, and dedicated his life to God’s service. He went to Rome to study philosophy and theology, although the divine truths were so clear in his mind he didn’t have to study much, the only two books he owned were the bible and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas.
St. Philip seemed surrounded by celestial splendor, holiness radiated from him, the effect of his angelic purity which he never lost despite the many temptations of Rome. He always maintained sexual innocence and his virginity. He was fiercely tempted by his flesh and the devil, but he won these battles by fasting and mortification.
In 1548, together with his confessor, Neri founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents whose primary object was to minister to the needs of the thousands of poor pilgrims who flocked to Rome, especially in jubilee years.
There is a special tradition, started by St. Philip Neri, of visiting the seven pilgrim churches of Rome, a tradition I was able to partake of when I visited Rome the first time.
Philip would often make pilgrimages to the catacombs where he would pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and venerate the relics of the martyrs. In the catacomb of St. Sebastian, Philip witnessed a great miracle. A few days before Pentecost in 1544, while he making a late night vigil, praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit, when a globe of fire, entered into his mouth and lodged in his chest; he was filled with the tremendous fire of love and he almost couldn’t bear it. When the doctors examined his body after death, they discovered that the saint’s heart had been dilated so much under this powerful impulse of love, that in order that it might have sufficient room to beat, two ribs had been miraculously broken and curved in the form of an arch.
Each of us need to make a pilgrimage of love from time to time. It should be a sacrifice, it should take some time, some effort, and done for the soul purpose of honoring God. And if we make that pilgrimage, our hearts will expand.
May St. Philip Neri inspire us to make that journey for God, that our love for God might increase so to become every greater instruments in his service, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the merciful love of the Good Shepherd may fill the
hearts of all of the ordained.
That the entire church might emulate the sacrifice and
charity of the saints.
For all the safety of all travelers, especially those who
make pilgrimages to the Holy Places.
That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring
healing and comfort to the sick.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject
to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the
prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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