Lectio et Oratio

What happened at the moment of St Philip's death?

He appeared to various friends. When St Philip died, when his soul and body were separated, he actually appeared in his soul to two nuns and a devout layman. The layman lived 100 miles away from Rome. We read about what happened in those apparitions. We will think about the lesson they teach us!

How did St Philip die?

Surrounded by love and prayers. We finally read about St Philip's actual death. All his spiritual sons were gathered around his bed. Prayers were being offered. Many tears were shed. Even in his death, St Philip shows us many lessons about how to love.

What does St Philip's final hours teach us?

Life is mixed with joys and sorrows. We read about St Philip's final evening before he died. We read about how happy he was. We read about how playful he was. But we also read about the frantic efforts of those close to him to keep him alive.

Last episode we read about St Philip's final day on earth. We saw how many lessons we were taught about the spiritual life from that final day:

• the Mass is most important,

How did St Philip spend his final day on earth?

With joy, but doing very ordinary things. We read about St Philip's last few days on earth, but especially his final one. How much strength he seemed to have. How he said Mass on that final day. How God prepared him for eternity. But even here St Philip left us a lesson on prayer.

Last episode we read about St Philip friendships with certain members of his congregation. Like Our Lord and St John, St Philip loved some of his sons with a special tenderness. But St Philip wanted us to never lose sight of the friendship we can have with the Holy Spirit himself. Confirmation is the pathway to our personal relationship with the Spirit of Love.

Did St Philip's sons always obey him?

No. We read about someone very close to St Philip whom Philip asked to return to Rome three time. Fr Ricci did not follow this advice. What happened in the end to this priest? Are all things lost if we make a mistake?

Last episode we read about one of St Philip's spiritual sons who did not delay in responding to the call of God. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to make us docile and ready to do His will.

Is it important to follow the inspirations of God?

Yes. We read about a very close friend of St Philip's who was traveling away from Rome. He did not want St Philip to die while he was away. One night he became aware that God wanted him to cut his trip short. Would he make it back in time to see St Philip?