St. Philip Neri

 St. Philip Neri

Philip Neri was born in Florence of good and devout parents. Giving up a large inheritance from his uncle, he went to Rome, where he studied philosophy and the sacred sciences and dedicated himself wholly to Christ. He became a priest out of obedience and gave himself up completely to the saving of souls. Through hearing confessions, in which he persevered to the last day of his life, he brought forth innumerable sons for Christ. Desiring to nourish them with the daily bread of God's word, with frequent reception of the sacraments, with constant prayer, and with other exercises of piety, he founded the Congregation of the Oratory. His heart was wounded by the love of God, burning with such ardor that it could only be contained within his breast because the Lord miraculously enlarged the breast by breaking two of his ribs, and forming an arch over the heart. Philip was famed for the gift of prophecy and for his wonderful penetration of the thoughts of men's hearts. He kept his virginity always intact; and he had the gift of distinguishing those who cultivated purity by a good odor, and those who did not by a stench. At the age of eighty, in the year of salvation 1595, he fell asleep in the Lord.

Hymn

Pangamus Nerio debita cantica, Quem supra nitidi sidera verticis, Virtus, et meritum sustulit inclytum Carpturum pia gaudia.

Sicuri subitis dum videt ignibus Aedes, quas habitat, fletibus abstinet, Flammas cum penitus quiverit horridas Paucis vincere lacrymis.

Oblatum patrui munus, et aureos Nummos magnanimus calcat, et impiger Romam digreditur, quam magis omnibus Illustrem facit urbibus.

Noctes sub specubus, corpora martyrum Quas implent, vigilat sedulus integras ; Ex ipsis satagens discere mortuis Normam, qua bene viveret.

Almae sit Triadi gloria perpetim, Quam caelum, barathrum, terraque suscipit : Quae nobis Nerii det prece iugia Dulcis gaudia Patriae. Amen 

Pangamus Nerio debita cantica, Quem supra nitidi sidera verticis, Virtus, et meritum sustulit inclytum Carpturum pia gaudia.

Sicuri subitis dum videt ignibus Aedes, quas habitat, fletibus abstinet, Flammas cum penitus quiverit horridas Paucis vincere lacrymis.

Oblatum patrui munus, et aureos Nummos magnanimus calcat, et impiger Romam digreditur, quam magis omnibus Illustrem facit urbibus.

Noctes sub specubus, corpora martyrum Quas implent, vigilat sedulus integras ; Ex ipsis satagens discere mortuis Normam, qua bene viveret.

Almae sit Triadi gloria perpetim, Quam caelum, barathrum, terraque suscipit : Quae nobis Nerii det prece iugia Dulcis gaudia Patriae. Amen 

Hymn

 1. Due praises sing in Philip's sight, Who now 'mid heaven's stars so bright There dwells in sweet delight; Reward for virtue famed.

 2. While home he sees consumed by flame, From weeping, heedless, yet refrains, E'en through few tears would serve to tame The menace of the blaze.

 3. He spurns, for such his noble heart, His uncle's wealth and swift departs To Rome, whose name he sets apart: A city of renown.

 4. Whole nights of prayer in catacombs, Amid the martyrs' many tombs He learns from those who've met their doom The art of living well.

 5. To loving Trinity e'er be praise, Whom heaven, abyss and earth upraise, Whose gift Heaven's joy for all our days, Bestowed on Philip's prayer. Amen.

Collect

 Deus, qui fidéles tibi servos sanctitátis glória sublimáre non desístis, concéde propítius, ut illo nos igne Spíritus Sanctus inflámmet, quo beáti Philíppi cor mirabíliter penetrávit Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

God our Father, you are continually raising to the glory of holiness

  those who serve you faithfully.

In your love, hear our prayer:

  let the Holy Spirit inflame us with that fire with which, in so admirable a way,

  he took possession of Saint Philip’s heart.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God, for ever and ever.

Amen.