We read about St Philip's awareness that death was imminent for certain people. St Philip wanted people to ponder the mystery of death. We know that Christ took upon himself this consequence of original sin and transformed it into the path to his Father in heaven. Let us thank God for any way in which he has helped me appreciate how close our own deaths are.

Does the Pope himself ever baptize people?Yes. We read about four young men whose uncle, their guardian, became a Christian. The boys were Jewish, but their uncle asked the Oratorians to help educate them. Their eventual baptism took place in a surprising way.

Does the Pope himself ever baptize people?Yes. We read about four young men whose uncle, their guardian, became a Christian. The boys were Jewish, but their uncle asked the Oratorians to help educate them. Their eventual baptism took place in a surprising way.

We read about two young women who were sick. One was a nine year old girl with a strange disease on her nose. The other was a consecrated virgin who died suddenly when she was only 21. St Philip was asked by the nine year old girl's mother to help. He did so. When the sister of the consecrated virgin came to St Philip for confession, he told her to go visit her sister at once. No one knew she was even sick. But St Philip wanted her sister to help her at the end. It is true that God often makes his followers to sacrifice being in regular contact with their families. It is true that St Philip himself left his father and mother and gave up having a family of his own to serve the Lord. On the other hand, God called James and John to his service. They were brothers. Peter and Andrew were also brothers. Elizabeth and Mary, Jesus and John the Baptist were relatives. God sometimes calls close relatives to an even higher friendship. What matters in Christ. Our bond with him is primary!

We read about two young women who were sick. One was a nine year old girl with a strange disease on her nose. The other was a consecrated virgin who died suddenly when she was only 21. St Philip was asked by the nine year old girl's mother to help. He did so. When the sister of the consecrated virgin came to St Philip for confession, he told her to go visit her sister at once. No one knew she was even sick. But St Philip wanted her sister to help her at the end. It is true that God often makes his followers to sacrifice being in regular contact with their families. It is true that St Philip himself left his father and mother and gave up having a family of his own to serve the Lord. On the other hand, God called James and John to his service. They were brothers. Peter and Andrew were also brothers. Elizabeth and Mary, Jesus and John the Baptist were relatives. God sometimes calls close relatives to an even higher friendship. What matters in Christ. Our bond with him is primary!

What should one do if seriously tempted to murder? Go speak to St Philip! On this anniversary of the death of St Stephen, we will read about someone who was planning to murder another person. The potential murdered was actually a priest. He was so set on his plan that he stopped praying his office and saying Mass. But then he had an encounter with St Philip!

We read about a man who was offended, scandalized, by the way St Philip was light hearted. To be scandalized is to be "tripped up" in one's spiritual life. In this case, however, the person should not have been scandalized. He had a very narrow view of what holiness is. He judged St Philip as not being spiritual because he did not conform to his own inexperienced view of the life of grace. St Philip read his soul when he came to confession. He encouraged him to confess all his sins in confession. Come, Holy Spirit, help us be pure in heart to celebrate Christmas!

We read about a man who was offended, scandalized, by the way St Philip was light hearted. To be scandalized is to be "tripped up" in one's spiritual life. In this case, however, the person should not have been scandalized. He had a very narrow view of what holiness is. He judged St Philip as not being spiritual because he did not conform to his own inexperienced view of the life of grace. St Philip read his soul when he came to confession. He encouraged him to confess all his sins in confession. Come, Holy Spirit, help us be pure in heart to celebrate Christmas!

We read about St Philip's closeness to Pope Gregory XIV and many leading Cardinals. But we saw how magnanimous St Philip was. He was "great (magna) spirited (anima), great-souled." He wanted to do great things for the Lord. He did not consider the favour or men, even Popes, to be truly great. His heart was set on heaven. His heart was set on loving God and living for his glory. Let us pray for the same grace!