St. Philip Neri

Today is the feast of St. Philip Neri, "Apostle of Rome," and patron of the city. He was born July 22, 1515, and died May 27, 1595. Who was he? A man known for his joy, including a keen sense of humor; a man of deep wisdom and equally deep love - for God and for his neighbor; a man who attracted people to him but who was simultaneously deeply humble.

My favorite story about him is also one of the most famous:

A few days before Pentecost in 1544, the well-known miracle of his heart took place. Bacci describes it thus: "While he was with the greatest earnestness asking of the Holy Ghost His gifts, there appeared to him a globe of fire, which entered into his mouth and lodged in his breast; and thereupon he was suddenly surprised with such a fire of love, that, unable to bear it, he threw himself on the ground, and, like one trying to cool himself, bared his breast to temper in some measure the flame which he felt. When he had remained so for some time, and was a little recovered, he rose up full of unwonted joy, and immediately all his body began to shake with a violent tremour; and putting his hand to his bosom, he felt by the side of his heart, a swelling about as big as a man's fist, but neither then nor afterwards was it attended with the slightest pain or wound." The cause of this swelling was discovered by the doctors who examined his body after death. The saint's heart had been dilated under the sudden impulse of love, and in order that it might have sufficient room to move, two ribs had been broken, and curved in the form of an arch. From the time of the miracle till his death, his heart would palpitate violently whenever he performed any spiritual action. (St. Philip Romolo Neri: New Catholic Encyclopedia)

Christi's visiting his tomb at the Chiesa Nuova today...

O my Jesus, Thou who art very Love, enkindle in my heart that divine fire which consumes the Saints and transforms them into Thee. - The Raccolta, 1958 edition, no.74