The Second Apostle of Rome
Saint Philip Neri stands like a giant among the saints, a magnificent and singular character who bore in himself many opposites, many seeming contradictions, in complete harmony. His character was of such immensity that he merited to be named the “Second Apostle of Rome.”
Born in 1515 to a wealthy Florentine family, Philip was duly educated. From a young age he was pious, praying the psalms with his sister as a boy, and he was formed intellectually under magnificent scholars. He was also a bit of a joker, and he remained so his whole life. At 16, he was sent to do business with a family member near Monte Cassino; much of his time was spent praying in secret in a little chapel there, though he never neglected and even excelled at his duties. Finally, he decided to leave for Rome, and he set up as a lay hermit, paying for his keep by tutoring. For 17 years he remained a layman; he help the poor and spent hours in prayer, also studying philosophy for a time (though when he felt he had learned enough, he sold his books to give more to the poor). His reputation for sanctity grew as he visited hospitals alone, and soon others joined him. Later he also began to meet people in workshops, banks, stores, and public areas, preaching a greater openness to the service of God. His interior life was marked by fasting (bread and water only), minimalist furnishing, and the discipline. His prayer took place in nearby churches incessantly, and on one occasion in 1544, soon before Pentecost, he experienced one of his most magnificent miracles: a ball of fire entered his mouth after he had beseeched the Holy Spirit for His gifts. The ball of fire expanded his heart in his breast, breaking two of his ribs, but with no pain. This was the gift of divine charity, which enabled him to love almost as God loves.
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