He's never steered me wrong before...

"Steer this little ship of thine..."

I've said it many times, never pray to St. Philip Neri for anything vague, or non-specific. And even then stand well back.

He's one of the most powerful intercessors you can imagine, and has lost none of his mischievous sense of humour in heaven. Get ready for him to turn your entire life upside down and inside out. It'll all be great. It'll be better than anything you ever could have thought of for yourself, or dared to hope for, but it'll be weird, discombobulating and take you in directions and to places you never imagined existed.

He's a dangerous saint to know.

With this warning in mind, I am starting a novena today to St. Philip for a Particular Thing; call it, "A happy resolution to the conundrum, and a general sorting-out." Which, I suppose in Catholic-speak, means "a special intention".(If a satisfactory solution comes along, I might tell more about it later.)

The last time I did this, I was just looking for a suitable apartment in Toronto (a difficult task at the best of times) and what I ended up with was three years of a life-changing relationship with some of the most important and influential people in my life. A massive spiritual and professional sea-change. And in the end, he led me here. So, you know, be careful.

If anyone else is a Philip-keener, they could join in, and I'd appreciate the help. And you never know what might happen. But do keep an eye out for falling pianos.

"O holy St. Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, you who trusted Scripture's promise that the Lord is always at hand and that we need not have anxiety about anything, in your compassion heal our worries and sorrows and lift the burdens from our hearts. We come to you as one whose heart swells with abundant love for God and all creation.

Bear us, we pray, especially in this need ("...a happy solution to the conundrum and general sorting-out..."). Keep us safe through your loving intercession, and may the joy of the Holy Spirit which filled your heart, St. Philip, transform our lives and bring us peace. Amen."

Here's the rest of the Novena



~