Lectio et Oratio

Episode 15 -- Life of St. Philip Bk II. 15 -- The Power of Encouragement

In this episode we read about the very beginning of the Confraternity of the Holy Trinity. St Philip, together with his confessor, organized a group of 15 laymen who would open a house of hospitality for the sick and poor pilgrims. On a very particular day, this group began, the last Tuesday in August 1548. These men soon were also organizing Eucharistic exposition once a month for 40 straight hours. St Philip combined love for Jesus in the Eucharist with love for Jesus in the poor.

Episode 14 -- Life of St. Philip Bk II.14 -- Revealing Spiritual Secrets to Only a Few

In this episode we read about St Philip’s daily practice of praying to the Holy Spirit to fill his soul with his gifts. We read how he confided to Cardinal Frederico Borromeo part of the secret of his heart palpitations. He told this nephew of St Charles how the Holy Spirit caused these strange experiences in his heart when he directed his mind towards God.

Episode 13 -- Life of St. Philip Bk II.13 -- St Philip’s Attraction to the Mass

What other effects did St Philip’s stigmata of the Holy Spirit bring?

In this Episode we read about how the Holy Spirit so filled the mind and heart of St Philip that he had difficulty getting through Mass. St Philip experienced a kind of “absorption in God.” He did not lose his identity, but the Holy Spirit kept his mind extremely fixed on God.

Episode 12 -- Life of St. Philip Bk II.12 -- St Philip’s Stigmata of the Holy Spirit

In this episode we read about the Pentecost experience that happened to St Philip in 1544. He was 29 years old. The Holy Spirit appeared as a ball of fire and entered his mouth and lodged in his breast. St Philip’s heart was enlarged and his ribs broken. Strange palpitations of the heart followed this experience. St Philip’s heart became a living symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit, the living Flame of love.

Episode 11 -- Life of St. Philip Bk II.11 -- Attacks from Demons

How did the devil react to St Philip"s earliest attempts to draw people to Christ?

St Philip knew that God was calling him to draw other people to His Son. But as soon as he began to make progress in this line of work, the devil tried to scare him. Just as he tried to scare him as he began his pilgrimage to the seven churches. We will see in this episode one of the most famous instances of this in St Philip"s life. The scene has inspired some movies about St Philip!

Episode 10 -- Life of St. Philip Bk II.10 -- St Philip’s Earliest Call to the Apostolate

St Philip did not begin his life of drawing others to God on his own initiative. He acted as he did because he felt a call from God. In this episode we will see St Philip’s earliest efforts at showing people a higher way. He began with those who most needed help. He began by offering his friendship to the loneliest and most distant from God.

Episode 9 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.9 -- Philip Restarts Lay Visits to Hospitals

Episode 8 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.8 -- St Philip’s Humility and Love of Hiddenness

Why did God allow the devil try to scare St Philip during his pilgrimage to the seven churches?

St Philip"s regular practice of making a pilgrimage to seven churches in Rome attracted the attention of the devil. In this episode's reading, we will see the kinds of things the devil did to try and scare St Philip. The devil does not know the future, but he could see how much good this practice might do if it spread. He tried to stop St Philip. But the Lord stood by him and strengthened him against the terrors. What the devil sought to do backfired. God allowed these trials to help St Philip grow in holiness!

In short, these last three episodes have providentially coincided with our own pilgrimage to the seven churches.

Episode 7 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.7 -- St Philip Being Drawn More and More to Prayer

In this episode we will read about St Philip"s transition from a full-time student to his deeper life of prayer and apostolate. Like St Dominic, St Philip decided to sell his books. Why? God opened St Philip to a higher source of wisdom, the science of the saints, the infused wisdom from above. When God draws us directly to Himself by prayer, let us not resist. God was gradually teaching St Philip the supreme value of prayer. In time, God would show him how to balance the life of prayer and the life of the mind. Among the desires God placed on his heart was the desire to make the pilgrimage to the seven churches more and more. He would sometimes visit them everyday, or least one or two of them.

Last episode, we read about the beginning of the pilgrimage to the seven churches. St Philip began it as a student. His interest in those seven famous churches of Rome inspires us to seek union with the Apostles and early martyrs. May the Lord fill us with a desire to imitate the love and zeal of the early Church.

Episode 6 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.6 -- St Philip, Seven Churches, love of Christ

During his university studies, what else was St Philip doing?

We often think of St Philip"s love for the Holy Spirit. And we will see more of that part of his life as we read his biography. But we must never forget St Philip"s love for the second person of the Blessed Trinity, God the Son, who became man for us. All that St Philip did his his late teens and early twenties only makes sense in light of his uncommon and burning love for Christ.

Last episode we focused on St Philip, the excellent student. St Philip is not an against studying or intellectual development. The human mind has questions. The human mind is made to know the truth. The human mind must be trained in how to better attain and defend the truth. The highest form of secular education is philosophy. And St Philip devoted several years to its study. He wanted to be wise.

Episode 5 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.5 -- St Philip Studies Philosophy

What did St Philip suddenly decide to do at the age of 20?

Having lived in Rome for two years and working as a tutor to two young boys, St Philip decided to enrol in a philosophy program at the Sapienza, the Augustinian College in Rome. Remarkable results followed.

Last episode we followed St Philip to Rome, the eternal city, the place where St Peter and Paul were killed. St Philip came to Rome with a special mission. But what did that mission begin with? Love. St Philip came to Rome to love Christ more perfectly. All his early efforts at controlling what he ate, how often he ate, and how much he ate were motivated by his desire to love Christ. His dedication to contemplation was a fruit of his divine love. And so was his chastity. He knew that sins against chastity were not compatible with being a close friend of Christ. He not only escaped a dangerous temptation early on, but converted those who tried to seduce him.

Episode 4 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.4 -- St Philip’s Earliest Years in Rome

How did the love of God show itself when St Philip first arrived to the Eternal City?

When St Philip arrived at Rome, probably, around the age of 18, he lived a very austere life. Why? He wanted to love Christ perfectly. The Holy Spirit inspired him to take up certain practices to master his desires. He supported himself by being a tutor. How important teachers are!

Last episode we saw how St Philip left his native Florence and journeyed south to a cousin"s house. His cousin providentially lived at the foot of Monte Cassino, the mountain where St Benedict built the mother monastery of all monstaries in Western Europe. St Philip became convinced while he was there that God had another line of business for him than making money. He left for Rome where he would live for the next 60 years.

Episode 3 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.3 -- St Philip Leaves Florence

Did St Philip have a strong desire to be perfect according to the Gospel? Yes!

How did St Philip get from Florence to Rome? Why did he leave Florence? Did he always want to be a priest? In this episode we read about the offer his relative made to draw him into his business. But St Philip knew God wanted something else from him.

Last episode we read about the various teachers St Philip had. Only one has come down by name to us. How blessed we are to have had great teachers! How blessed we are if we are one of those chosen souls, hidden from history, who have helped saints along their paths. We are all in this together.

Episode 2 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.2 -- St Philip's Early Teachers

Did St Philip win the hearts of people in his youth? Yes!

In this episode we read about St Philip"s early education and his attraction to hearing the Word of God. We hear hints of his future departure from Florence. We will read about the nickname he received as a boy.

St Philip was born in Florence in 1515. He had a very devout grandfather after whom he was named. Sometimes we do not think enough about the devout people in our families from whom we received the Christian Catholic faith. Where would we be without those people who handed on their faith and love for Christ and His Church?

Episode 1 -- Life of St. Philip Bk I.1 -- Earliest Years of St Philip Neri

Did St Philip have a perfect childhood? No!

We begin a new book, The Life of St Philip Neri by Antonio Gallonio. The book begins with a brief account of St Philip"s birth in Florence in 1515, the death of his mother, and some of the most famous things that happened to him as a boy, almost being killed by a donkey!

Episode 21 -- Treatise on Peace of Soul c15 -- What to Do and to Say After Sinning

What should we say to God after we have sinned?

We will look at the final chapter and finish the marvellous little book, A Treatise on Peace of Soul. Fr Scupoli adds to his advice from chapter 14 about responding to our own faults. He gives us some very valuable tips, a spiritual secret, on what to say to God when we fall.

Chapter 14 presents God as our merciful Father. It shows us the filial confidence we need after we sin. Filial comes from the Latin words, filius (son) filia (daughter). We need the confidence of a son or daughter towards their eternal Father. Our sins did not change who He is. He is who He has always been. Let us not focus so much on ourselves after our sins. Yes, prepare for confession, but be not disturbed. We are weak! We are fallen creatures. Without Him, we will fall.

Chapter 15 is about what positive steps we should take after sinning. He gives us a little method of speaking to God. In summary, we say:

1. God, you have seen what I have done in my weakness.

2. You have given me the grace to repent!

3. May I have the grace to never offend you again.

Then he wants us to proceed with our devotions without further pondering over our fall.

Episode 20 -- Treatise on Peace of Soul c14 -- Proper Response to our Our Faults

What is the best way to respond after we have sinned?

It is not unknown for people to love Fr Scupoli solely for chapter 14 of A Treatise on Peace of Soul. Why? He sets before us one of the most helpful and peace-making practices. He shows us what we must do after we sin! The advice he gives is for small sins and big sins, occasional sins and frequent sins, sins of weakness and sins clearly chosen. In summary, he says:

1. Do not be disquieted and depressed.

2. Do not waste time sifting all the circumstances of the fault

3. Be aware of your inherent weakness

4. Turn to God with great confidence, the confidence of children in their infinitely loving Father.

At the end of chapter 13, Fr Scupoli gives us some steps in responding to temptations and trials, especially in prayer. More or less he gives these pieces of advice.

1. Consider the emotional dryness in devotions a gift from God.

2. The soul needs do is to humble itself in the sight of God.

3. Persevere

Episode 19 -- Treatise on Peace of Soul c13.2 -- Seven Steps When Emotional Sweetness Vanishes

What is the best way to respond in times of interior trial and desolation?

In the second part of chapter 13 of A Treatise on Peace of Soul, Fr Scupoli instructs us in the proper way to respond when faced with temptations, afflictions, and interior desolation. In all these cases we no longer experience "emotional sweetness in devotion." Why does God allow us to enter into such states? They purify us and make us grow in holiness. Should we be disturbed when God leads us along this path? No. Should we attribute it to the devil? No. Instead, we should do seven simple things that we will discuss in this episode!

Last episode Fr Scupoli discussed the basic benefit that temptations bring to the soul. They take away the sin of presumption. There are two kinds of presumption.

1. Presumption firstly hopes for what it should not, such as forgiveness without repentance and heaven without good works.

2. The second kind of presumption leans too much on one"s own power. Such presumption acts as though something is possible to one"s own power that is not possible.

God allows us to be tried and to fall so that we will have excessive trust in our own powers taken away. God uses trials as a heavenly medicine. Through them he transforms us. He makes us humble.

Episode 18 -- Treatise on Peace of Soul c13.1 -- Temptations Help Overcome Presumption

What benefits does spiritual dryness actually confer?

In chapter 13 of A Treatise on Peace of Soul, Fr Scupoli discusses the sin of presumption. He shows how dryness in prayer can help us overcome it.

Last episode we saw how spiritual dryness is a sign of spiritual progress. Beginners in the spiritual life do not normally experience it. Those stuck in sin and in love with this world as their ultimate goal do not complain of it. God allows these interior states as precious signs of his love.

Episode 17 -- Treatise on Peace of Soul c12 -- Staying Serene Despite Spiritual Dryness

What reasons can be given for spiritual dryness being a blessing?

In chapter 12 of A Treatise on Peace of Soul, Fr Scupoli urges us to keep our souls at peace when we enter into spiritual dryness. Such an interior state is a sign of spiritual growth!

Last episode we saw how the devil tries to make us lose our peace of soul by persuading us that we are lazy and unfaithful and lukewarm. He especially likes to make us lose our peace of soul by making us feel guilty about our lack of emotional fervour in our prayers. Let us not be deceived. Dryness and distraction is often something God allows. Such interior states are often the sign of God"s closeness. His Light is so bright that it blinds our imagination and intellect and emotions. They feel nothing. But He is with us!