Responding to anti-Catholic hatred in a rage-filled culture
The first line of the recent report states: “Three students at a Catholic university were harassed by 60 counter-protesters as they demonstrated against a drag queen show on campus.”
According to the article, at one point, someone even yelled, “I hate Catholic people.”
Yes, at a Catholic university, someone yelled “I hate Catholic people.” The hatred we see today is all too real. And it is destroying our country.
A priest named St. Philip Neri, who’s feast day we celebrate this Friday, May 26th, understood how hatred ruins souls.
He once said , “We ought to hate no one, for God never comes where there is no love of our neighbors.”
This amazing saint had a special way with people. Known as “Good little Phil” from the time he was young, he spent his life drawing people to God through his actions. History tells us that in 1544, Philip felt a “ball of fire enter through his mouth and lodge in his heart.” From that time on, he radiated the peace and love of the Holy Spirit such that “troubled souls were calmed just by drawing near to Philip’s heart and experiencing in his warmth the fire of divine love.”
Philip lived in Rome and saw the “moral hazards” that kept young men away from a life filled with Christ’s love, so he became their spiritual father. It is said that “they were drawn to Philip by his constant care for them, and he began hosting a daily gathering, not only to keep them occupied but to inspire them to a holy life.” Philip shared Scripture with them, taught them about God and the saints, and encouraged them to pray, perform works of mercy, and receive the sacraments often.
