There are certain saints that whenever I hear their name I cannot help but smile. St. Philip Neri is one of those saints because he is often remembered for his humor. In a world that celebrates the crass and profane as humorous, it’s easy to believe St. Philip was a bit of a clown, but that idea is wildly mistaken.  

In an age when everything is so public, St. Peter reminds us of the merits of a hidden life where the glories of man are not sought, but rather the will of God. It’s not for our glory but His that we are put on this earth. All of our responsibilities and duties should be done, not for a love of self, but as a means to glorify God. Whether leading a company or folding laundry, let our mantra be: Jesus, I do this for the love of You!  

Prayer, in all its variety of forms – attending Mass, partaking in the sacraments, and participating in a Bible study or prayer group – is a wonderful opportunity to further our personal relationships with the Lord. The Church also provides us with tangible tools to help us orient our focus toward Him, such as religious icons, jewelry, and holy cards. Here, I’m going to focus on creative uses of holy cards.