St. Philip Neri Upper Room at Hope Crossing, Eaton Rapids
Saint Philip Neri
Patron Saint of St Philip Neri Upper Room at Hope Crossing, Eaton Rapids
(icon by Alexia Kelly)
Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always be in good spirits.
Feastday: May 26
Patron: of humor, joy
Birth: July 21, 1515
Death: May 26, 1595
Beatified: May 11, 1615 by Pope Paul V
Canonized: March 12, 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
About St Philip Neri Upper Room at Hope Crossing:
In 2022, the Hope Crossing Core Ministry Team saw the need to expand our Praise & Worship space, as we experienced growth in 2021 and 2022. We contracted to build out the back 1,000 square feet of our pole barn. As we rolled up our sleeves and worked with skilled tradesmen, we prayed that the Holy Spirit inspire us in this venture, and to bless the new space, praying for fruitfulness of its use.
Through the intercession of St Philip, we were moved by his witness and inspiration to dedicate this space to St Philip, not only for our Praise and Worship gatherings, but also to bring in multipurpose events to fill our days in celebration of His Glory.
A talented high school iconographer, Alexia Kelly, prayed into reality the beautiful icon pictured above, to greet people when they enter the space.
Finish woodwork carpenters gave of their time and talent to create our sacred furnishings so that we might have a sacred space for the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy.
We also pray that a youth minister will come forward and bring a vibrant youth ministry to Hope Crossing.
And the poor are always to be considered, in ways to provide clothing, food and meals.
These are our hopes and dreams: to fill the space with cheerfulness, and through the ministry of hospitality, bring to Hope Crossing those in our community especially in need of Christ's bountiful mercy.
In 2022, the Hope Crossing Core Ministry Team saw the need to expand our Praise & Worship space, as we experienced growth in 2021 and 2022. We contracted to build out the back 1,000 square feet of our pole barn. As we rolled up our sleeves and worked with skilled tradesmen, we prayed that the Holy Spirit inspire us in this venture, and to bless the new space, praying for fruitfulness of its use.
Through the intercession of St Philip, we were moved by his witness and inspiration to dedicate this space to St Philip, not only for our Praise and Worship gatherings, but also to bring in multipurpose events to fill our days in celebration of His Glory.
A talented high school iconographer, Alexia Kelly, prayed into reality the beautiful icon pictured above, to greet people when they enter the space.
Finish woodwork carpenters gave of their time and talent to create our sacred furnishings so that we might have a sacred space for the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy.
We also pray that a youth minister will come forward and bring a vibrant youth ministry to Hope Crossing.
And the poor are always to be considered, in ways to provide clothing, food and meals.
These are our hopes and dreams: to fill the space with cheerfulness, and through the ministry of hospitality, bring to Hope Crossing those in our community especially in need of Christ's bountiful mercy.
St Philip's Life [1]:
Saint Philip Romolo Neri is known as the "Second Apostle of Rome", after Saint Peter. St. Philip was an Italian priest noted for founding a society of secular clergy called the Congregation of the Oratory. St. Philip was an evangelist. He loved to share the Gospel and help people to find or rediscover their faith in Jesus Christ. His days were dedicated to helping others, but his nights were set aside for solitude spent praying in the church or in the catacombs beside the Appian Way.
In 1544, on the eve of Pentecost, Philip saw what appeared to be a globe of fire. It is said the fire entered his mouth, causing Philip to feel his heart dilate. Philip was filled with such paroxysms of divine love that caused him to scream out, "Enough, enough, Lord, I can bear no more." Philip then discovered a swelling over his heart, though it caused him no pain.
In 1548, with the help of his confessor, Father Persiano Rossa, Philip founded a confraternity for poor laymen to meet for spiritual exercises and service of the poor. He whole-heartedly desired the reform of the Catholic Church and worked toward that with a sense of gentleness and friendship, rather than criticism and harshness.
His efforts to reach out to the lay people of Rome and not simply associate with the clergy made him one of the great figures in the Counter Reformation of the Catholic Church. Sadly, the Catholic Church had fallen into clericalism. He soon earned the title, "Apostle of Rome."
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, May 25, 1595, Philip was told by his physician that he was not healthy. He had not looked well for ten years. Philip realized his time had come to pass on to the Lord. For the remainder of the day, he listened to confessions and saw his visitors as normal.
Before heading off to bed, Philip stated, "Last of all, we must die."
Around midnight of May 26, 1595, Philip suffered from a hemorrhage and passed away at 80-years-old. His body lays in the New Church, where the Oratorians still serve.
for more on St Philip's life and ministry visit: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=97
_________________________
[1] https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=97
Saint Philip Romolo Neri is known as the "Second Apostle of Rome", after Saint Peter. St. Philip was an Italian priest noted for founding a society of secular clergy called the Congregation of the Oratory. St. Philip was an evangelist. He loved to share the Gospel and help people to find or rediscover their faith in Jesus Christ. His days were dedicated to helping others, but his nights were set aside for solitude spent praying in the church or in the catacombs beside the Appian Way.
In 1544, on the eve of Pentecost, Philip saw what appeared to be a globe of fire. It is said the fire entered his mouth, causing Philip to feel his heart dilate. Philip was filled with such paroxysms of divine love that caused him to scream out, "Enough, enough, Lord, I can bear no more." Philip then discovered a swelling over his heart, though it caused him no pain.
In 1548, with the help of his confessor, Father Persiano Rossa, Philip founded a confraternity for poor laymen to meet for spiritual exercises and service of the poor. He whole-heartedly desired the reform of the Catholic Church and worked toward that with a sense of gentleness and friendship, rather than criticism and harshness.
His efforts to reach out to the lay people of Rome and not simply associate with the clergy made him one of the great figures in the Counter Reformation of the Catholic Church. Sadly, the Catholic Church had fallen into clericalism. He soon earned the title, "Apostle of Rome."
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, May 25, 1595, Philip was told by his physician that he was not healthy. He had not looked well for ten years. Philip realized his time had come to pass on to the Lord. For the remainder of the day, he listened to confessions and saw his visitors as normal.
Before heading off to bed, Philip stated, "Last of all, we must die."
Around midnight of May 26, 1595, Philip suffered from a hemorrhage and passed away at 80-years-old. His body lays in the New Church, where the Oratorians still serve.
for more on St Philip's life and ministry visit: https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=97
_________________________
[1] https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=97