Welcome to the traditional Catholic daily devotional for Monday, May 26th, 2025.

It's the Feast of St. Philip Neri, third class with the color of white. In this episode,

the meditation beseeching God's favor, the Rogation Days. Today's news from the church,

St. Teresa of Abilah's face revealed by science, a preview of the sermon learning

to bridle the tongue, and today's thought from Archbishop Marcel Lefev.

But first, the collect of today's Mass.

O God, who raised Blessed Philip, thy confessor to the glory of thy saints,

graciously grant that we who rejoice in his feast may profit by the example of his virtues.

In 16th century Rome, brimming with corruption and weighed down by clerical apathy, Philip

Neri was a holy mischief maker who turned things upside down with joy. Born in Florence, Philip

was expected to be a successful businessman,

but he walked away from all that, moved to Rome and gave his life to God in his own quirky,

unorthodox way. For over a decade, he wasn't a priest nor a monk, just a layman with a heart on

fire, praying, helping the poor, and talking about Jesus with anyone who'd listen.

Philip had a contagious personality. He gathered friends from every walk of life,

nobles, beggars, scholars, priests, and started informal gatherings for prayer, conversation,

music, and charity. Think of it as a holy hangout with laughter and love for God at the

center. Eventually, at the urging of his confessor, he was ordained a priest and quickly became famous as a

spiritual director. People lined up for hours just to go to confession with him. He had a knack also for

reading hearts, cutting through ego with humility, wit, and joy.

He also founded the oratory, a new kind of religious community rooted in friendship, music, prayer, and service.

His gatherings were filled with talks, hymns, and even picnics.

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