St. Philip Neri (feast day May 26), is known by many names including the “laughing saint,” the “humorous saint,” and the “patron saint of joy.” This Italian priest and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory was a practical joker, as exemplified by him showing up to an event with his beard half shaved off. He inserted humor into his homilies, was known to keep a joke book, and also hung a sign on his door that said, “The House of Christian Mirth.” In all things St. Philip maintained a light-hearted view of the world, using humor to keep him from being too prideful or vain.
For St. Philip's feast day don't take yourself to seriously...and enjoy some snickerdoodles, the cookies with the funny name that sounds like they are laughing.
Snickerdoodles
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
2 ¾ cup flour
2 t. cream of tarter
1 t. baking soda
¼ t. salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Mixture:
1/4 cup Sugar
1 1/2 tbsp. cinnamon
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Thoroughly cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and cream together.
Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt, just until combined. In a small bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into small balls until round and smooth. Drop into the cinnamon-sugar mixture and roll to coat well. Place on ungreased sheet or parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until set.
“A heart filled with joy is more easily made perfect than one that is sad.”
St. Philip Neri, patron of joy, Pray for us
Additional Note: There are other saints who saw the value and importance of humor - St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa, St. Ignatius, and St. John Vianney to name a few. Check out this Catholic Exchange article for some insight into other saints whose feast days would be also be opportunities to partake of some snickerdoodles.
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