Lectio et Oratio

Episode 100 -- Life of St Philip VIII.100 -- Who is the Devil

We read about St Philip's attitude towards demonic possession. St Philip was hated by the devil for his power at driving the devil from those who were truly possessed (those who had knowingly and willingly opened their minds and hearts to satan). But St Philip was very hesitant to assume direct demonic possession. He usually looked for other causes for their unusual behaviour: brain afflictions, excessive sadness, stomach problems. At the same time, St Philip knew how to treat real cases of possession. His tactics were wise.

Last episode we read about the death of one of St Philip's penitents on Easter Sunday. The man fell ill on Holy Thursday night. Under St Philip's direction, he cheerfully accepted whatever the Lord would send him. What a lesson in the importance of comforming ourselves to the death and resurrection of Christ. The main meaning of our life is to share in the Lord's own death and resurrection. Such a sharing begins with baptism and is completed when we die in the Lord, strengthened by the last sacraments.

Episode 99 -- Life of St Philip VIII.99 -- Conformed to Christ in His Death and Resurrection

Did St Philip ever witness a dramatic death?

Yes. One of his penitents, whom we will read about, came to confession on Holy Thursday. St Philip knew that the Lord was asking something great of this man. He was not sure what it was. The man went home, fell ill, and died four days later. He died, it would seem, on Easter Sunday. We learn from this dramatic death a great spiritual secret.

Last episode we read about the conclusion of the Pope Pius V's investigation of the Oratory and St Philip. But we also read about the death of certain unnamed persons who mistreated St Philip. St Philip's contemporaries were very struck by this strange phenomenon. People who persecuted St Philip often had something bad happen to them. Why would this happen? St Philip never made much of it. But it was, to those around him, a sign of divine favour. God had raised up St Philip for a special work in the Church.

Episode 98 -- Life of St Philip VIII.98 -- Evil Intentions Confounded

Did the Dominican inspectors find things in good order at the Oratory?

Yes. The remarkable thing about the investigation that Pius V undertook of the Oratorians was how the most favourable report ever was given to him by the two priests he sent to inspect. The aim of those who complained was to have St Philip's operations curtailed or shut down. But instead the work of St Philip grew in Papal support. Through this trial, St Pius V and St Philip became much closer.

Last episode we read about the prudence of St Pius V. He wanted to find out for himself whether the rumours he heard about St Philip were true. He knew there is always two sides to a story. He knew he had to investigate. He decided to send two Dominican theologians to hear the sermons at the Oratory. Neither Dominican knew about the other's mission. Pope Pius V showed a certain wisdom and generosity in his approach to getting to the bottom of things.

Episode 97 -- Life of St Philip VIII.97 -- Both Sides of a Story

Did St Philip allow laymen to preach?

Yes. In the earliest days of the Oratory exercises, St Philip would have laymen speak on topics they knew well, especially if they were good speakers. The Pope heard about this and sent investigators! Why did the Pope hear complaints? People who did not like St Philip complained.

Last episode we read about St Philip's way of responding to insults. He showed patience and kindness. He did not return evil for evil. What power the Holy Spirit has to transform our hearts!

Episode 96 -- Life of St Philip VIII.96 -- Trials for Christ‘s Friends

Does Our Lord allow his closest friends to undergo trials?

Yes. We read about why Our Lord allowed St Philip to be persecuted and criticized. He was often criticized by those closest to him. Fr Gallon recounts how St Philip responded. He set before himself the power of the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Spirit he become patient and kind.

Last episode we read about the way St Philip tried to prepare Constanzo Tassone for death. Right before he was honoured by the Pope, Tassone went to see St Philip. St Philip knew he was coming over and knew that he would die soon. And so he had two teenagers lie at the entrance of the doorway like corpses. We are not told whether Tassone realized what this signified. Let us ask for the grace to accept our death when and where the Lord wills it to happen. Through death, we go to God.

Episode 95 -- Life of St Philip VIII.95 -- Death the Door to God

Did St Philip know when his close friends would die?

Yes, quite often. We read about a prophetic gesture that St Philip used to warn one of his friends about his upcoming death. Constanzo Tassone was visiting Rome to receive a special gift from the Pope. But St Philip saw that the end of Constanzo's life was very near.

Episode 94 -- Life of St Philip VIII.94 -- Pure Love of God and the Harvest of Souls

We read about a very laudatory account of the early fruit of the Oratory in Rome. Years before the Pope formally established this new spiritual family in the Church, they were drawing large groups of men from all walks of life to greater heights of holiness. But what was the true secret of St Philip's success with souls? His pure love for God and their salvation. God had so purified St Philip's soul that his love no longer included selfish motives. He truly desired God's glory and the salvation of others.

Episode 93 -- Life of St Philip VIII.93 -- Saints and Healing Powers

We read about various persecutions that kept cropping up against St Philip. But St Philip was like the boy that he healed of an eye disease around the same time. St Philip's spiritual vision had been healed. Enlightened by God through wisdom, St Philip saw all things that happened as related to God.

Episode 92 -- Life of St Philip VIII.92 -- Messiness in Our Souls

We read about St Philip's friendship with Antonio Fucci, a medical doctor. St Philip helped him make a holy death in 1566 by not only visiting him and giving him the sacraments, but also uncovering a deceit of the devil. The devil had appeared to Antonio as a doctor! He told him that he would get better and live. This was a lie. In discussing the death of Antonio Fucci, Gallonio told an earlier story about Antonio. In his medical practice, he had special temptations against purity. He was especially troubled when he was treating women, but also men. Antonio was so discouraged that he was going to quit being a doctor. St Philip encouraged him, blessed him, and from that day on, the heart of Antonio was strengthened. He was able to carry on his work without being troubled by lustful thoughts about men or women.

Episode 91 -- Life of St Philip VIII.91 -- Holy People Misunderstand Each Other Sometimes

Did St Philip know who would be elected Pope?

Yes. We read about St Pius V's election on January 7. We also will read about St Philip's appreciation for frequent confession. May the Lord help us become saints through confession.

Episode 90 -- Life of St Philip VIII.90 -- Early Church Imitation

We read about the early life of the first Oratorians. They devoted themselves to the Eucharist, the common life (fellowship), prayer, and handing on to others the things of God. We see a small microcosm of the early Church (Acts 2:42).

Episode 89 -- Life of St Philip VIII.89 -- Taking Care (even imperfectly) of Our Part of the Vineyard

We read about the remarkable apostolate that the earliest Oratorians began to carry out. They were making use of the Roman Siesta, that period of 3 hours in the afternoon when many people took a nap. St Philip and the others would gather those who were seeking Christian perfection. They would give them four talks. Each talk was 30 minutes long!

Episode 88 -- Life of St Philip VIII.88 -- Giving Indirect Commands Gently

We read about the obedience St Philip was able to win from his spiritual sons. But St Philip rarely gave direct commands. Instead he won the affection of his sons. He gained their trust. He would use indirect suggestions, humour, and tact. He was able to guide these men in whatever way the Lord suggested. How we need to pray for genuine love for the brethren!

Last episode we read about the way the future Oratorians lived in 1564. We read about the family connections that Tarugi had to various Popes. In his early years of manhood, Tarugi was very close to the future Pope Clement VIII. Gallonio gives wonderful descriptions of the authority of the Pope. May we always honour and respect the office of chief shepherd, the office of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.

Episode 87 -- Life of St Philip VIII.87 -- Why the Church has a Chief Shepherd

Did all the earliest Oratorians have the same exact background?

By no means. We will read about the other early disciples of St Philip who began to live together at the church of the Florentines in Rome. These men differed in age and background. They had different family histories. Like the Apostles, the early Oratorians were a diverse group. But what they had in common was a desire to live under St Philip's direction.

Last episode, we heard the interesting way the Oratory of St Philip got its beginnings. The Oratory is a way of life for priests and brothers who live together without any external bonds or vows, but simply out of the inner bond of charity. They believe that God has called them together. St Philip reestablished in Rome the practice of secular priests living together without vows, but with a community life. When St Philip first gathered some spiritual sons into a community, he did not have any grand ideas in mind. He was simply responding to the requests of Divine Providence. By his fidelity, God did greater things than were first imagined possible.

Episode 86 -- Life of St Philip VIII.86 -- Lead Kindly Light

How would this work of St Philip as a priest be prolonged in the Church?

By a new congregation. We read about the providential beginning of the Congregation of the Oratory. St Philip never thought he was starting a new group in the Church. But one day, after he recovered from his first great serious illness, Philip was asked to take over the Church of the Florentines in Rome. In agreeing to staff the church, he asked three disciples to be ordained priests. From those three men, a remarkable new congregation would develop. We call it the Oratory of St Philip Neri.

Last episode, we read about the importance of female disciples of the Lord. One of St Philip's most devout penitents was a woman who brought many others to Christ by her example and words. We need priests. But the Church also needs people in the world, especially women!

Episode 85 -- Life of St Philip VII.85 -- Power of Feminine Witness in the World

Did St Philip have special power over headaches?

It seems so. We will hear about one of his female penitents who was cured of her terrible headaches by St Philip. The story reminds one somewhat of Our Lord's raising of Lazarus. Like with Lazarus, St Philip commands her to take off all her bandages.

Episode 84 -- Life of St Philip VII.84 -- Charism of Healing and Spiritual Healing

We read about a healing that St Philip performed after a man had received the Anointing of the Sick, the Last Anointing. St Philip himself was cured during a very serious illness by the Anointing itself. But we know the Church has another means for curing such illnesses, those who have the charism of healing (1 Corinthians 12:9).

Episode 83 -- Life of St Philip VII.83 -- Power of the last Anointing

Did St Philip ever draw very close to death?

Yes. We will read about one of the first times St Philip nearly died. His doctors were sure the end was near. He received the sacraments of the Church. But his spiritual children reacted with immense love and faith. They prayed, lamented, and fasted. They stood by their spiritual father. And he got better!

Episode 82 -- Life of St Philip VII.82 -- Focusing on the Greatness of God

We read about how St Philip suffered annual sicknesses and how he reacted. St Philip's reaction was one of patience and resignation, but also of joy. St Philip joyfully embraced the Lord's will. He was convinced that whatever God willed was best. St Philip had one concern: to be useful in the Lord's service. He was convinced he had done very little for the Lord. Why? He was deeply aware of God's greatness and all the graces he had received.

Episode 81 -- Life of St Philip VII.81 -- Married Holiness is Possible

Did St Philip ever lose any close friends to death?

Yes. We will read about the death of Giovan Battista Salviati. St Philip had known him for seven years. Born in Florence, Giovan was of the highest nobility in Italy. He and his wife had lived a very worldly life without much consideration of God. Converted by St Philip, he became one of the most faithful visitors to the Roman hospitals. We read of his holy death in the presence of St Philip.