Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I hope today you are enjoying a restful Memorial Day and honoring in some way the brave women and men who gave their lives for our country. The Catholic Cemeteries welcomes hundreds of the faithful each year to Memorial Day Masses held at multiple locations throughout our archdiocese. This year I was blessed to have the Mass at Calvary Cemetery. With a number of my predecessors buried there, I tried to be on my best behavior. I’m hoping that Archbishop Ireland, a proud army chaplain at the time of the Civil War, was pleased by our celebration.
While it’s not a federal holiday, today is also important to me as the feast day of my favorite saint, Philip Neri. He is known as the patron saint of joy and laughter. As you may recall from a prior Weekly Word, he welcomed the opportunity to be seen as a “holy fool,” shaving off half his beard (and inspiring a wager among some of our local clergy to do the same). His example of joyful living gave vivid testimony to what the late Pope Francis popularized as the “Joy of the Gospel.”
On the 500th anniversary of St. Philip’s birth, Pope Francis held him up as a “luminous model of the Church’s ongoing mission in the world.” His mission as “chiseler of souls,” Pope Francis said, was certainly “helped by the unique attractive force of his person, distinguished by human warmth, joy, meekness, and gentleness. These particular attributes of his originated in the ardent experience of Christ and in the action of the Divine Spirit who expanded his heart.”
Joy wasn’t the only trait that drew many to St. Philip Neri. He lived a radical life for the Lord both before and after his priestly ordination. As a single young layman living amid the decadence of 16th century Rome, he manifested both a deep spirituality and an untiring desire to serve the poor, prompting him to form confraternities with lay faithful and priests dedicated to taking care of those in need, especially pilgrims coming to Rome for the Holy Year of 1550. That continued after his priestly ordination in 1551.
St. Philip’s example inspired other young men to join him, and soon he was living in a small community that shared a common life and facilitated a deeper love for Christ and neighbor. That community was formally recognized by Pope Gregory XIII as the Congregation of the Priests of the Oratory. I’m grateful that a number of our priests are striving to form an Oratory right here in St. Paul.
Preaching in the churches and streets of the Eternal City, Philip and his confreres became an important force for spiritual renewal in Rome, leading the laity of that city—and especially young adults—to true conversion at the time of the Counter Reformation. So great was his impact that even today he is known as the “Apostle of Rome.”
In the 18 years that I lived in Rome, I would always go to St. Philip’s church, the Chiesa Nuova (where else but Rome could a church built in 1600 still be called “the new Church”?) for today’s feast. I loved praying at St. Philip’s tomb and in his rooms, which were opened to the public only on May 26.
Leading up to the feast, the Oratorians in Rome would always pray a Novena to St. Philip and recite a litany that recalled the saintly traits of their founder. I was always intrigued by the first title that they attributed to him: “Vessel of the Holy Spirit.” The title recalled a life-changing mystical experience that St. Philip had while praying in the catacombs of St. Sebastian on the Vigil of Pentecost: While pleading for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a globe of fire entered through his mouth and settled near his heart. So intense was this experience that it forever enlarged his ribcage and generated heat that even his penitents would detect.
In recent years—and always with St. Philip in mind—I’ve delighted in the Mass that we have celebrated in our Cathedral on the Vigil of Pentecost. If you have never been to a Pentecost Vigil, I hope that you will come this year on Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m. It’s reminiscent of the Easter Vigil with an extended Liturgy of the Word and exquisite prayers, asking for an outpouring of the same Holy Spirit who changed St. Philip’s life. It will be particularly meaningful this year as the capstone of this year’s Synod 2025 Assembly. I’m sure hoping that St. Philip will intercede for us on that day. May we all, like him, have expanded hearts for loving service as we strive to respond to the Lord’s call.
On the 500th anniversary of St. Philip’s birth, Pope Francis held him up as a “luminous model of the Church’s ongoing mission in the world.” His mission as “chiseler of souls,” Pope Francis said, was certainly “helped by the unique attractive force of his person, distinguished by human warmth, joy, meekness, and gentleness. These particular attributes of his originated in the ardent experience of Christ and in the action of the Divine Spirit who expanded his heart.”
Joy wasn’t the only trait that drew many to St. Philip Neri. He lived a radical life for the Lord both before and after his priestly ordination. As a single young layman living amid the decadence of 16th century Rome, he manifested both a deep spirituality and an untiring desire to serve the poor, prompting him to form confraternities with lay faithful and priests dedicated to taking care of those in need, especially pilgrims coming to Rome for the Holy Year of 1550. That continued after his priestly ordination in 1551.
St. Philip’s example inspired other young men to join him, and soon he was living in a small community that shared a common life and facilitated a deeper love for Christ and neighbor. That community was formally recognized by Pope Gregory XIII as the Congregation of the Priests of the Oratory. I’m grateful that a number of our priests are striving to form an Oratory right here in St. Paul.
Preaching in the churches and streets of the Eternal City, Philip and his confreres became an important force for spiritual renewal in Rome, leading the laity of that city—and especially young adults—to true conversion at the time of the Counter Reformation. So great was his impact that even today he is known as the “Apostle of Rome.”
In the 18 years that I lived in Rome, I would always go to St. Philip’s church, the Chiesa Nuova (where else but Rome could a church built in 1600 still be called “the new Church”?) for today’s feast. I loved praying at St. Philip’s tomb and in his rooms, which were opened to the public only on May 26.
Leading up to the feast, the Oratorians in Rome would always pray a Novena to St. Philip and recite a litany that recalled the saintly traits of their founder. I was always intrigued by the first title that they attributed to him: “Vessel of the Holy Spirit.” The title recalled a life-changing mystical experience that St. Philip had while praying in the catacombs of St. Sebastian on the Vigil of Pentecost: While pleading for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, a globe of fire entered through his mouth and settled near his heart. So intense was this experience that it forever enlarged his ribcage and generated heat that even his penitents would detect.
In recent years—and always with St. Philip in mind—I’ve delighted in the Mass that we have celebrated in our Cathedral on the Vigil of Pentecost. If you have never been to a Pentecost Vigil, I hope that you will come this year on Saturday, June 7 at 7 p.m. It’s reminiscent of the Easter Vigil with an extended Liturgy of the Word and exquisite prayers, asking for an outpouring of the same Holy Spirit who changed St. Philip’s life. It will be particularly meaningful this year as the capstone of this year’s Synod 2025 Assembly. I’m sure hoping that St. Philip will intercede for us on that day. May we all, like him, have expanded hearts for loving service as we strive to respond to the Lord’s call.
Divine Will Retreat (June 6-7)
This two-day retreat will feature Mother Gabrielle Marie Breaux, Mother Superior and Foundress of the Daughters of Divine Will.
All are welcome to join the bishops in prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit upon all Synod 2025 Members' dialogue and voting as we enter in Pentecost weekend and Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly.
‘We have a pope!’ Elation reigns in St. Peter’s Square and beyond
“Habemus papam, we have a pope!” exclaimed Levi Meyer, a junior at St. John Vianney College Seminary (SJV) in St. Paul who is studying in Rome and was in St. Peter’s Square May 8 when white smoke began pouring from a specially installed chimney in the Sistine Chapel.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Archbishop Hebda helps lead evening of reflection for Archdiocesan Synod 2025
“I sometimes wish the Lord would say, ‘This my commandment, be part of the Archdiocesan Synod,’” Archbishop Bernard Hebda said while smiling during his homily at a May 14 evening of reflection preparing for a June 7 Archdiocesan Synod Assembly.
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Model of grace: Mary's role in the life of every believer
In this special May episode, Bishop Kevin Kenney joins to reflect on Mary’s role as our spiritual mother—a source of guidance and comfort, and a model of faith. Discover how her presence leads us closer to Christ, the importance of Marian devotions, and how her humility and trust can inspire our daily lives.
Everyday apostles: Living the mission as lay Catholics
Evangelization isn’t just for clergy—it’s a call for every Catholic. In this episode, Kathleen Soucheray unpacks the vital role of the lay apostolate, sharing how ordinary Catholics can powerfully witness to Christ through daily life, work, family, and community.
Visit Practicing Catholic to listen on your favorite podcasting platform. Listen Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330AM.
Reverent Liturgies with Active Participation
Welcome and Hospitality
In this video, Yen Fasano outlines the proposition Reverent Liturgies with Active Participation and how local efforts have helped the faithful enter more fully into the Eucharist. Archbishop Hebda explains more about how the Mass is necessary for the Church’s ministry and what has been done thus far to assist clergy and parishes to help the faithful participate in the Mass.
In this video, Yen Fasano shares the details of the proposition Welcome and Hospitality. Bishop Kevin Kenney encourages the faithful to welcome others as Jesus did by reflecting on how Jesus welcomes you to come to him.
In these Weekly Words, you have the opportunity to learn about 12 Synod Propositions via a video series, which has also been shared with Synod Members. Propositions will be discerned and discussed at the Synod 2025: Be My Witnesses Assembly, which takes place Saturday, June 7 and culminates with the annual Pentecost Vigil Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Paul. All are invited to pray for Synod 2025, attend a Holy Hour the evening prior to the Be My Witnesses Assembly and attend the Pentecost Vigil Mass. Find more FAQs about Synod 2025 on the Archdiocesan website.
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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May 26, 2025