Authority and Independence

There are connections between the Italian St Philip Neri (1515-1595 – saint of today) and our St Teresa.  They were born in the same year and canonised on the very same day – 12 March 1622.  Both were founders – Philip of the Oratorians, Teresa of the Discalced Carmelites.  Teresa founded her first monastery in 1562, Philip founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of secular priests, in 1575.  He was at first elected for a term of three years (as was common in modern societies) but in 1587 was nominated superior for life. He was, however, entirely free from personal ambition, and had no desire to be superior general over several dependent houses, so he argued that all congregations formed on his model outside Rome should be autonomous and self-governing, without any provision for Philip to retain control over any new foundation they might themselves make elsewhere – a regulation afterward formally confirmed by a Brief of Gregory XV in 1622.  Interestingly, this offers a parallel with the structures of Carmel, because the OCD Sisters are members of an international association of autonomous monasteries.  I think this may be a reflection of a specific Catholic genius - that of combining authority with independence.

Intercessions:

Brian Davis – cancer

Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him) - cancer

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David - housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith - seriously ill