Today is the Feast of St. Philip Neri (1515 – 1595), an 16th century Italian priest who was renowned for his piety, his cheerfulness and his miracles. Happy Feast Day!

While there is much to love about St. Philip Neri (for more background, see here), consider learning from the saint’s wisdom on a daily basis by signing up for The Daily Sayings of St. Philip Neri which is a wonderful personal apostolate of Diocese of Lansing’s General Counsel, Will Bloomfield. Here are some samples from the month of May, including the saying for today:

May 1 – If a man finds it very hard to forgive injuries, let him look at a crucifix, and think that Christ has shed all His Blood for him, and not only forgave his enemies, but prayed the Eternal Father to forgive them also.

May 5 – We must not give up praying and asking, because we do not get what we ask all at once.

May 7 – We must often remember what Christ said, that not he who begins, but he that perseveres to the end, shall be saved.

May 17 – Avarice is the pest of the soul.

May 19 – He who wishes for goods will never have devotion.

May 26 – Let us strive after purity of heart, for the Holy Spirit dwells in candid and simple minds.

May 27- The Holy Spirit is the master of prayer, and causes us to abide in continual peace and cheerfulness, which is a foretaste of Paradise.

May 30 – A virtuous life consists in mortifying vices, sins, bad thoughts, and evil affections, and in exercising ourselves in the acquisition of holy virtues.

Those who sign up will receive a daily morning email and are encouraged to meditate upon the day’s saying throughout the day. There are also Facebook and Twitter pages that likewise publish the daily saying. St. Philip Neri, Apostle of Rome, pray for us!