A cop pulls over a carload of nuns. The cop says, “Sister, this is a 55 MPH highway. Why are you going so slow?” The Sister replies, “Sir, I saw a lot of signs that said 41, not 55.” The cop answers, “Oh, Sister, that’s not the speed limit, that’s the name of the highway you are on!” The Sister says, “Oh! Silly me! Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be more careful.” At this point, the cop looks in the backseat where the other nuns are shaking and trembling. The cop asks, “Excuse me, Sister, what’s wrong with your friends back there? They are shaking something terrible.” The Sister answers, “We just got off Highway 101.”
Today, May26th, is the feast day of Saint Philip Neri. He was known among other ways as “The Laughing Saint” or “The Humorous Saint”. He is the patron saint of among other things laughter, joy and humor. One day a group travelled from Poland to Rome came to hear Philip preach, but he instead read to them from a joke book.
But this was no frivolous, flippant person. He was a man immersed in the joy of Christ. At an early age he preferred visiting churches, meditating and talking with priests over childhood games. After losing his mother, he found a deep consolation in Our Lady. He was said to enter a deep prayer upon entering a church.
After a brief excursion into the business world, Philip developed a disdain for material goods preferring a deep prayer life. At 18 he renounced his inheritance and went to Rome with no fixed plans but rather a great love for God. There he tutored two young men who exhibited great inclination to good under his care. From there he started a three year academic career studying philosophy and theology. During this time he frequented the catacombs where he prayed before the relics of the martyrs. Philip, thru God’s grace, developed a deep humility and a cheerful captivating spirit. He led an austere life of little sleep, fasting and long hours in silent prayer. One Pentecost during prayer Philip felt a globe of fire enter his chest which supernaturally enlarged his heart. After his death doctors confirmed that Philip’s ribs had curved around an unusually large heart.
Philip attracted people to form small groups that discussed spiritual matters, prayed and sang hymns. He became well known and yet maintained a strong and deep humility. He would go to the streets engaging all people – beggars, prostitutes, nobles and peasants – in conversation of tenderness, funny stories, jokes and the love of God. At first reluctant due to his great humility he eventually became a priest.
As a priest Philip spent many hours hearing confessions – sometimes as many as 16 hours. He had an ardent devotion to the Eucharist and was known to say mass for two hours. Phillip maintained a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed the daily rosary, encouraging others to do likewise. He is said to have started the practice of visiting seven churches as he would lead groups of people on an excursion to the various churches, singing songs and having a picnic on the way. He exhibited a deep compassion for the poor, aided orphans and ministered to the sick.
His expressions of humor and humility were well known as he would often do odd things such as shaving half his beard, putting clothes on backwards, tell jokes when visited by dignitaries, and various antics to promote laughter and humility. Philip went to his eternal reward on May 26th, 1595 at the age of 79.
As I read the life of Philip Neri, I am inspired by his joy and love of laughter. I also recognize that this was not just someone trying to be funny but rather a person filled with the joy of Christ that overflowed into a lively and joyous expression. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. How do we open ourselves up to receive the fruit of joy? I don’t know the answer but in looking I did find some guidance in the Psalms. Here is a sample.
Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers,
Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy;
and on his law he meditates day and night. – Ps 1:1-2
“Many say, ‘May we see better times!
Lord, show us the light of your face!’
But you have given my heart more joy
than they have when grain and wine abound. Ps 4:7-8
“I keep the Lord always before me;
with him at my right hand, I shall never be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, my soul rejoices;
my body also dwells secure,
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
nor let your devout one see the pit.
You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.”
— Psalm 16:8-11
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;
serve the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.
Know that the Lord is God,
he made us, we belong to him,
we are his people, the flock he shepherds.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him, bless his name;
good indeed is the Lord,
His mercy endures forever,
his faithfulness lasts through every generation.” — Psalm 100:1-5
“I thank you for you answered me;
you have been my savior.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done;
it is wonderful in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice in it and be glad.
Lord, grant salvation!
Lord, grant good fortune!
You are my God, I give you thanks;
my God, I offer you praise.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
his mercy endures forever.” — Psalm 118:21-25, 28-29
It gives a guidance to have a grateful and thankful heart, to meditate on the Lord and his laws day and night. The Jewish nation are God’s chosen people to prepare the way for the new covenant in Jesus Christ. When I reflect on the society that Jesus was incarnate in, it appears to have been one that was focused on God. Their laws, customs, celebrations, discussions and just about all aspects of their lives were focused on God. This is the atmosphere promoted by the Psalms and lived by Saint Philip Neri. That appears to be the key to achieving a joyful life. I leave you with a quote attributed to Saint Philip Neri.
“We are not saints yet, but we, too, should beware. Uprightness and virtue do have their rewards, in self-respect and in respect from others, and it is easy to find ourselves aiming for the result rather than the cause. Let us aim for joy, rather than respectability. Let us make fools of ourselves from time to time, and thus see ourselves, for a moment, as the all-wise God sees us.”
– Philip Neri