Saint Philip Neri

St. Philip Neri's sanctity cried out to the heavens, giving glory to God, for he was a paradox of a man, a combination of seemingly disparate expressions of one holiness: both intimidatingly ascetic and wonderfully festive; solemn about the things of God and yet full of jokes, humor, and laughter; a quiet observer of political events by temperament and yet of heavy influence over important persons; and a religious founder and yet profoundly without regard for modern and sophistication in governance. Above all, he was beloved; his heart was three times greater than any other's, and his soul radiated the divine charity as had scarcely been done since the time of the apostles. He is truly a contender for the title of "greatest saint." Let this brief biography fill you with awe at the life of a servant who lived like no one else before or since.