Saint Philip of the Joyous Heart

The story of one of God's most lovable and loving saints, St. Philip Neri. Despite his wisdom and learning, he was a simple, radiant, childlike soul who never ceased, even in his honored old age, to make jokes, to play with his many pets, to tease, to amuse, to teach the great lesson that it is the joyous heart that wins friends to Christ. A saint who young people are particularly attracted to, St. Philip in turn had a great love for youth.

Philip grew up in a very poor family in Florence, and was later taken in by his uncle, a prosperous merchant. Ever searching for a way best to serve God, he abandoned a merchant's career to become a lay apostle. He lived in Rome for many years as a layman, preaching, instructing youth and attending the sick. Deciding that he could best help his fellow man as a priest, he then entered the seminary. As a priest, his holiness, joy and zeal soon helped thousands of Romans to live a vibrant Christian life.

St. Philip founded a religious congregation, the Oratory, and became the counselor of popes and cardinals, the trusted friend of beggars and outcasts. Like Christ, he was all things to all men, a mighty example of selfless love.