Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula cited the virtues of venerated Italian saint San Felipe (St. Philip) Neri during the recent celebration of the 158th parish fiesta of San Felipe Neri in Mandaluyong City which coincided with the 400th anniversary of his canonization and his feast day.
“San Felipe taught us that we need to go out and to go far to do our mission. San Felipe used his charm and his intellect in the performance of his mission to spread information on the life of Christ to every person that he met” His Eminence said.
San Felipe, the cardinal said, did not confine himself within the church. “He went out of to serve others and to spread the teachings of God particularly among the poor and the sick,” he added.
“Through his example, his love and sincerity, he reached out to the different sectors of society and successfully ignited their love for Jesus as well as to deepen their faith,” said Cardinal Advincula.
Parish priest Fr. Mon Merino and other members of the clergy co celebrated the mass which was attended by Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos, mayor-elect Benjamin Abalos, local officials and the lay faithful.
St. Philip Neri was a Christian missionary and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of Catholic priests and lay brothers. (Christina Hermoso)