Minute Meditations - Draw Closer to God

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Draw Closer to God

What we do for Lent is far less important than why we do it. The time-honored traditions of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are less to benefit us than to draw us closer to God and improve the lives of those around us.

— from Lent with St. Francis

Friday, February 15, 2013

Minute Meditation for 2/14/2013

Minute Meditation for 2/16/2013

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Philip Neri: Philip Neri was a sign of contradiction, combining popularity with piety against the background of a corrupt Rome and a disinterested clergy, the whole post-Renaissance malaise.
<p>At an early age, he abandoned the chance to become a businessman, moved to Rome from Florence and devoted his life and individuality to God. After three years of philosophy and theology studies, he gave up any thought of ordination. The next 13 years were spent in a vocation unusual at the time—that of a layperson actively engaged in prayer and the apostolate. </p><p>As the Council of Trent (1545-63) was reforming the Church on a doctrinal level, Philip’s appealing personality was winning him friends from all levels of society, from beggars to cardinals. He rapidly gathered around himself a group of laypersons won over by his audacious spirituality. Initially they met as an informal prayer and discussion group, and also served poor people in Rome. </p><p>At the urging of his confessor, he was ordained a priest and soon became an outstanding confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretenses and illusions of others, though always in a charitable manner and often with a joke. He arranged talks, discussions and prayers for his penitents in a room above the church. He sometimes led “excursions” to other churches, often with music and a picnic on the way. </p><p>Some of his followers became priests and lived together in community. This was the beginning of the Oratory, the religious institute he founded. A feature of their life was a daily afternoon service of four informal talks, with vernacular hymns and prayers. Giovanni Palestrina was one of Philip’s followers, and composed music for the services. </p><p>The Oratory was finally approved after suffering through a period of accusations of being an assembly of heretics, where laypersons preached and sang vernacular hymns! (Cardinal Newman founded the first English-speaking house of the Oratory three centuries later.) </p><p>Philip’s advice was sought by many of the prominent figures of his day. He is one of the influential figures of the Counter-Reformation, mainly for converting to personal holiness many of the influential people within the Church itself. His characteristic virtues were humility and gaiety.</p>

Disrespect comes with many faces. Sometimes what’s unspoken speaks louder than any words.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

	New for Lent!
	Take a fresh look at Lent with St. Francis as your guide.

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	Make the most of Lent and experience it through the lens of discipleship.

	New for Lent!
	Scott Hahn brings you Lenten reflections from a Father who keeps his promises.

	New book
	Learn what the New Evangelization means for you!

	New book
	Discover the Bible's stories and mine its wisdom.

CATHOLIC GREETINGS

	Lent
	Together we join our small sacrifices to Jesus’ complete and perfect one.

	St. Valentine
	Catholic Greetings helps you remind others that God is the source of all human love.

	Ash Wednesday
	Throughout these 40 days we allow our pride to fade into humility as together we ask for forgiveness.

	Mardi Gras
	Promise this Lent to do one thing to become more aware of God in yourself and in others.

	Our Lady of Lourdes
	Celebrate our Blessed Mother who never tires of interceding on our behalf.

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