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St Philip Neri Healing Oil (Patron for Laughter)

St Philip Neri Healing Oil (Patron for Laughter) from A Blessed Call To Love, Ireland.

Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595) was an Italian Catholic priest and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, a society of secular priests. He is known for his joyful and charismatic personality, as well as his devotion to the Catholic Church and its teachings.

Born in Florence, Italy, to a modest family, Philip known for his piety and love of music from a young age. He moved to Rome as a young man and became involved with the religious community there, but he did not initially plan to become a priest.

After a mystical experience in which he felt his heart expand with love for God, Philip decided to become a priest and ordained in 1551. He spent the next several years working with the poor and sick in Rome, and became known for his ability to uplift and inspire those around him.

In 1575, Philip founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a group of secular priests who lived in community and dedicated themselves to prayer, preaching, and the sacraments. The Oratory was a new model of religious life, different from the traditional monastic orders, and it allowed priests to live together in community while still maintaining their independence.

Philip known for his love of music and often incorporated it into his religious services. He also had a great sense of humor and known for his practical jokes and playful demeanor. Despite his jovial personality, Philip deeply committed to his faith and spent hours each day in prayer and contemplation.

Philip canonized as a saint in 1622 and remembered as a model of joyful holiness. His feast day celebrated on May 26th.