The rather romantic image of St. Philip Neri as always laughing, joking, and cheerful is a far cry from reality, as anyone who has immersed himself in the saint’s biographies and hagiographies will know. St. Philip, well-versed in the spirituality of the Desert Fathers, displayed a profound and salutary disillusionment with the charms of the world. Well did he know the verse that reads, “Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world, becometh an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
St. Philip expressed this mépris du monde in a little-known song based on famous verses in Ecclesiastes. It is one of the few writings allegedly from his hand to have been preserved. While the attribution remains uncertain, the opinions expressed below conform to the Maxims of the Saint, especially his frequent attempts to provoke thoughts of death. He was known to approach worldly young men and ask what they desired. At each answer, he would like Socrates say, “And then? And then?” leading eventually on to death. At which point, many souls realized the vanity of their desires and subsequently converted. St. Philip also used to say, “The things of this world do not remain constantly with us, for if we do not leave them before we actually die, in death at least we all infallibly depart as empty-handed as we came.” And he exhorts all Christian souls, “We must not be behind time in doing good; for death will not be behind his time.”
The song can be found in an appendix to Fr. Faber’s English translation of The School of Saint Philip Neri by Giuseppe Crispino, whence I have transcribed it. The original Italian text may be seen there as well. I offer it here to my readers who many not have access to this rather obscure book for their edification and private devotions to the Saint.
The sentiments of the Saint in this song are, I believe, particularly well-suited to a time of global pandemic, when pious souls ought more than ever to contemplate their own mortality.
Deceit of the World
Vanitas Vanitatum et Omnia Vanitas
Attributed to Saint Philip Neri
Vanity of vanity,
Everything is vanity;
All the world is vanity,
Everything is vanity.
If it grants your heart’s desire,
All to which you now aspire;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If you live a thousand years,
Healthy, happy, free from fears;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If you have a thousand men,
Serving day and night, what then?
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If you have a warrior host,
More than Xerxes ere could boast;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If you speak in every tongue,
Hear your learning’s praises sung:
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If you have unbounded ease,
Mansions, gardens, what you please;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
Gratify your every whim,
Fill your life’s cup to the brim:
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
Turn your heart to God above,
Give to Him alone its love;
Help unfailing He will be,
All the rest is vanity.
If no pleasure is denied,
If each wish is gratified,
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If your well-filled coffers hold
Riches, treasures, silver, gold;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If you live upon this earth,
Always gay and full of mirth;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If you always have your will,
Far from pain and every ill;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
If your heart is ever glad,
Ever cheerful, never sad;
When death comes, how will it be?
Everything is vanity.
All your wishes check, control,
Go to God who loves your soul.
Now and for eternity;
All the rest is vanity.
The Amish Catholic 
