Reader,

In last week’s blog post, I started discussing what columnist Peggy Noonan would like to see in the next pope. Click here if you missed it.

Today, I want to finish commenting on her remarks. The qualities she wants to see in the next pope would be important in any spiritual leader, regardless of their faith tradition. I’d like to see them in myself. How about you?

Nonan finishes her “What We Need in Pope Francis’ Successor” article with this:

The coming conclave should keep in mind St. Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, sometimes called the patron saint of laughing. Born in Florence in the 16th century, lived in Rome. A scholar and poet who studied philosophy, became a priest, founded holy communities, fought Rome’s corruption but always with good cheer…..
A parishioner was upset at losing his hair. Did Philip have a remedy? ‘Be holy, then people will look at your soul and not your scalp.’ Someone asked if he could perform a miracle. He said yes, ‘I just had a conversation with someone and didn’t interrupt them. That‘ll do for today.’
Joy, to him, didn’t counter reverence, it was an extension of it.

May we all perform the same miracle that Philip Neri performed.

Until next time, “I wish you all the joy that you can wish.”*

John Certalic

  • The Merchant of Venice, Act III, scene 2

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