Lectio et Oratio

We read about a woman with a fever who had suffered this condition for 32 months. We have to remember how in the Scriptures physical ailments are often symbols of spiritual ailments. Christ even cured a paralyzed man as a sign of his ability to forgive sins. Being in a state of mortal sin is like being spiritually paralyzed. Without sanctifying grace, we are unable to move ourselves towards heaven. Other less serious ailments can be symbols of less serious spiritual conditions. We have to be patient with others and with ourselves. Why does God not cure us of our sinful habits more quickly? Why does he allow us to fall again and again? He knows what is best for us and our humility. He knows how easily we take all the credit for our spiritual victories. The Lord knows what is best for our self-knowledge, our humility, and our need to gain experience so as to help others.

We read about a woman with a fever who had suffered this condition for 32 months. We have to remember how in the Scriptures physical ailments are often symbols of spiritual ailments. Christ even cured a paralyzed man as a sign of his ability to forgive sins. Being in a state of mortal sin is like being spiritually paralyzed. Without sanctifying grace, we are unable to move ourselves towards heaven. Other less serious ailments can be symbols of less serious spiritual conditions. We have to be patient with others and with ourselves. Why does God not cure us of our sinful habits more quickly? Why does he allow us to fall again and again? He knows what is best for us and our humility. He knows how easily we take all the credit for our spiritual victories. The Lord knows what is best for our self-knowledge, our humility, and our need to gain experience so as to help others.

Did the miracles of St Philip ever have to do with heart troubles?

Yes. We read about a miracle a mysterious ulcer near a man's heart that caused him incredible pain. The pain was so terrible that the man was unable to rest at all. Every known medicine was tried. Finally the man remembered a very mysterious medicine...the hair of St Philip. Like so many others, this remedy worked. But the miracle actually occurred in two stages.

Last episode we read about a hardworking man who worked for the Oratorians in Palermo. The house there was fairly recently founded. Like every Oratorian community, the Oratory in Palermo is autonomous, self-governing, independent of every other Oratory. Each house is loosely connected to the others by a common way of life established for priests and brothers by St Philip. Each Oratorian community looks to St Philip as their spiritual father. Last episode's miracle shows us that St Philip continues to care for the all those connected with the Oratorians. St Philip loves the smallest helper of his spiritual sons. St Philip wants us all to be saints. He wants us to become perfect in divine love. St Philip wants to help satisfy Christ's thirst for love, his thirst to be shown love in return for his love for us.

Did the miracles of St Philip ever have to do with heart troubles?

Yes. We read about a miracle a mysterious ulcer near a man's heart that caused him incredible pain. The pain was so terrible that the man was unable to rest at all. Every known medicine was tried. Finally the man remembered a very mysterious medicine...the hair of St Philip. Like so many others, this remedy worked. But the miracle actually occurred in two stages.

Last episode we read about a hardworking man who worked for the Oratorians in Palermo. The house there was fairly recently founded. Like every Oratorian community, the Oratory in Palermo is autonomous, self-governing, independent of every other Oratory. Each house is loosely connected to the others by a common way of life established for priests and brothers by St Philip. Each Oratorian community looks to St Philip as their spiritual father. Last episode's miracle shows us that St Philip continues to care for the all those connected with the Oratorians. St Philip loves the smallest helper of his spiritual sons. St Philip wants us all to be saints. He wants us to become perfect in divine love. St Philip wants to help satisfy Christ's thirst for love, his thirst to be shown love in return for his love for us.

Did St Philip ever cure people after his death that he never knew in his lifetime?

Yes. We read about a miracle in Palermo, Sicily. An Oratorian father from Rome had founded a house there. One day in 1596 a servant of that community fell very ill. But for a long time, the idea never occurred to seek the intercession of St Philip. Suddenly the idea occurred to one of the fathers. Let us learn to be docile to the Holy Spirit. He is like the wind; he blows where he wills.

Did St Philip ever cure people after his death that he never knew in his lifetime?

Yes. We read about a miracle in Palermo, Sicily. An Oratorian father from Rome had founded a house there. One day in 1596 a servant of that community fell very ill. But for a long time, the idea never occurred to seek the intercession of St Philip. Suddenly the idea occurred to one of the fathers. Let us learn to be docile to the Holy Spirit. He is like the wind; he blows where he wills.

We read about a priest and a nun who were both cured of serious illnesses by the intercession of St Philip. Why does the Lord invite men and women to follow him in perfect chastity? We talk about the way a priest shares in Christ's spousal love for the Church. We talk about a nun's ability to become a bride of Christ and to represent the Church herself. Christ loves the Church as His bride.

We read about a priest and a nun who were both cured of serious illnesses by the intercession of St Philip. Why does the Lord invite men and women to follow him in perfect chastity? We talk about the way a priest shares in Christ's spousal love for the Church. We talk about a nun's ability to become a bride of Christ and to represent the Church herself. Christ loves the Church as His bride.

Does it matter how we speak to St Philip in heaven?

Yes. We read about an 18 year old woman who suffered a severe eye injury due to the actions of someone else. Her mother tried every remedy. Finally she turned to St Philip. But nothing happened. This made the girl herself begin to pray for herself. Her cure took place after she realized there was a right way to ask St Philip. St Philip seems to care about the dispositions of our hearts.

Does it matter how we speak to St Philip in heaven?

Yes. We read about an 18 year old woman who suffered a severe eye injury due to the actions of someone else. Her mother tried every remedy. Finally she turned to St Philip. But nothing happened. This made the girl herself begin to pray for herself. Her cure took place after she realized there was a right way to ask St Philip. St Philip seems to care about the dispositions of our hearts.