Philip Benizi de Damiani
Philip Benizi was a general superior of the Servites, credited with reviving the order during a period of crisis. He is known for his piety, ascetic devotions, and for his role in the reconciliation of the city of Forlì. His life and miracles are commemorated in various churches and artistic works.
- Feast Day
- August 23
- Century
- 13th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Philip Benizi was born on August 15, 1233, in the Florentine district of Oltrarno.
- ›He entered the order of the Servites as a lay brother and was later ordained a priest.
- ›Elected general superior on June 5, 1267, he faced challenges from papal decrees suppressing religious orders.
- ›He was asked by Pope Martin IV to reconcile the city of Forlì in 1283.
- ›Philip died on August 22, 1285, at Todi, where he is buried.
- ›Miracles attributed to him occurred in Vicenza in 1319.
Saint Philip Benitius, Filippo Benizzi
Monte Senario
About Philip Benizi de Damiani
Philip Benizi (c. 1233 – 1285), also known as Saint Philip Benitius or Filippo Benizzi, was an influential figure in the history of the Servites, an order of friars dedicated to the Virgin Mary. He served as the order's general superior and is largely remembered for his efforts to revive and sustain the Servites during a period of significant external pressure and potential suppression.
Biography and Historical Context
Born on August 15, 1233, in the Oltrarno district of Florence to the noble Benizi family, little is recorded of Philip's early life. He entered the Servite order as a lay brother and demonstrated notable piety and diligence, spending time in meditation in a nearby cavern. His spiritual depth was recognized by visiting Dominicans, who encouraged him to pursue the priesthood.
Philip's election as general superior on June 5, 1267, coincided with a critical phase for the Servite order. The order had been a target of criticism, and the broader ecclesiastical landscape presented challenges. The Second Council of Lyons in 1274 enacted ordinances forbidding new religious orders and suppressing unapproved mendicant institutions. This led to a papal letter in 1276 from Pope Innocent V declaring the Servite order suppressed, though Philip's efforts in Rome, just after the Pope's death, were crucial in navigating this crisis.
A notable episode in his life, though partly legendary, involves his mission to the city of Forlì in 1283. Tasked by Pope Martin IV to reconcile the city, which was experiencing strong anti-papal sentiment and had been placed under interdict, Philip is said to have encountered Peregrine Laziosi. This meeting, according to a sixteenth-century legend, profoundly affected the eighteen-year-old Peregrine, inspiring him to later join the Servites and eventually become a canonized saint himself.
Philip Benizi died on August 22, 1285, during the Octave of the Assumption, in Todi, where he is buried in the church bearing his name. Miracles attributed to him were reported in 1319 at the cloister of Santa Maria of the Servites in Vicenza.
Veneration and Legacy
Philip Benizi is venerated for his role in the survival and revival of the Servite order. His feast day is celebrated on August 23. He and Santa Maria Addolorata are co-patrons of the minor basilica of Monte Senario. His body is housed in the Church of the Servites of Mary in Todi, Umbria, where a statue by Bernini is located.
His life has been depicted in art, notably by Andrea del Sarto in early 16th-century paintings illustrating scenes from his life. A statue of him stands on the Charles Bridge in Prague, and chapels and churches dedicated to him are found in various locations, including the United States, England, the Philippines, and South Africa.
Cultural References
Several artistic works highlight Philip Benizi's life. Andrea del Sarto's five scenes, including "His Charity to a Leper" and "The Smiting of the Blasphemers," are found in the Servite church of the SS. Annunziata in Florence. A statue on Prague's Charles Bridge, designed in 1714, portrays him holding symbolic items. His feast day is also recognized in Slovakia, where name days are commonly celebrated on August 23.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saint Philip Benizi born and when did he die?
Saint Philip Benizi was born on August 15, 1233, and died on August 22, 1285.
What religious order was Saint Philip Benizi a part of?
He was a part of the order of the Servites, where he served as a general superior and is credited with reviving the order.
What significant event occurred during Philip Benizi's leadership of the Servites?
During his leadership, the Servite order faced a crisis when Pope Innocent V declared it suppressed in 1276, a decree Philip worked to overcome.
What is Saint Philip Benizi's feast day?
Saint Philip Benizi's feast day is celebrated on August 23.
Where is Saint Philip Benizi buried and where are his relics?
He died and is buried in Todi, in the church of San Filippo Benizi. His body is contained within the Church of the Servites of Mary in Todi, Umbria.
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