![[painting of Saint Philip]](saintp0c.jpg "10kb jpg detail from 'Presentation in the Temple' by Filippo Lippi, 1466-68, Santa Maria dei Servi, Prato; please do not write to ask about the image")
Sent to Forli, Italy to resolve a conflict between the papacy and the emperor, he was heckled and then physically attacked while preaching. Philip turned the other cheek. Father Philip's non-violent ways caused a converion in Peregrine Laziosi who later became a Servite saint.
Superior of several Servite friaries. Elected prior-general of the order on 5 June 1267, much against his protests. Attended the Council of Lyons. Codified the Servite rules, and defended against attempts to disband it in the wake of the Second Council of Lyons which put restrictions on mendicant orders. Worked to bring peace to the Guelphs and Ghibellines in 1279. He was considered a candidate for the papacy at one point; when he heard the rumor, he went into hiding on Mount Tuniato until Pope Gregory X was chosen. Worked with Saint Andrew Dotti. Helped Saint Juliana of Cornillon found the Servite third order. Dispatched the first Servite missionaries to the East in 1284. Lived his last few months in retirement in a Servite house in Todi.
Miracle worker and healer. He once met a leper on the road, and gave the man his cloak; the leprosy was instantly cured.
22 August (Octave of the Assumption) 1285 at Todi, Italy buried in Todi
12 April 1671 by Pope Clement X first Servite to be canonized
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate Catholic Encyclopedia: Order of Servites Catholic Encyclopedia: Servants of Mary Catholic Online New Catholic Dictionary Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson Saint Philip Benizi Church, Oregon City, Oregon, USA Saint Philip Benizi Group