Homily for Anniversary of the Establishment of the Oratory

Feast of Saints Nereus and Achilleus
17th Anniversary of the Canonical Establishment of the Port Elizabeth Oratory

Today, as we celebrate the feast of Saints Nereus and Achilleus—martyrs who remained faithful even to the shedding of their blood—we also mark a significant milestone in the life of our local Church: the 17th anniversary of the canonical establishment of the Port Elizabeth Congregation of the Oratory of St Philip Neri. We stand together today in gratitude—for what God has done, for what God is doing, and for what He will do, through the mission and charism of the Oratory here in this place. We also give thanks for all of you—the faithful of St Bernadette’s—who have stood by this community with love, support, and prayer over nearly two decades.

The Gospel passage from Matthew, with Jesus’ words: “Do not worry about how you are to speak…” reminds us of the reality that has accompanied the Church in every age: to be faithful to Christ is to be vulnerable, to be misunderstood, to face resistance. “They will hand you over to councils,” Jesus says, “and flog you…you will be hated by all because of my name.” This was the path walked by Nereus and Achilleus, Roman soldiers who laid down their weapons and took up the cross. Having encountered Christ, they could no longer serve Caesar’s empire of death. They were exiled, tortured, and ultimately executed. But as the Book of Revelation reminds us, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.” Their witness gives us a frame for reflecting on our own calling. While we may not be martyrs in blood, we are called to live with that same clarity and courage—witnessing to Christ in a world that often doesn’t understand Him.

Seventeen years ago today, the Oratory here was canonically established. The Church officially recognised what had already been quietly growing through prayer, fraternity, and apostolic work. The Mass of establishment was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio at the time, Archbishop James Green. In God’s Providence, that same man would later lay hands on Cardinal Robert Prevost, now our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, when he was consecrated bishop. It’s a beautiful thread—a quiet sign that God’s story is always deeper than what we see on the surface. He weaves His will through faithful hearts, across nations and years.

These 17 years have not been without trials. There have been disappointments, changes, and even seasons of profound discouragement. There has been a pandemic, and even the name of our city has changed in the interim! But one constant has been the guiding hand of God’s Providence. Like the saints we remember today, and like the countless multitude in Revelation clothed in white, we know that perseverance does not come from us alone. It comes from grace. And part of that grace has come through you, the faithful of St Bernadette’s. Your love, your patience, your generosity—these have not just sustained the Oratory, they have shaped it. A priest can preach and teach, but without a parish family to live and grow with, the words remain just that—words. Thank you for being part of this mission. We do not take you for granted. Indeed, the foundation stones of the Oratory are the faithful gathered around St Philip, and not the Fathers.

Our new Holy Father, in his first Mass as pontiff, emphasised the Church’s role as a “beacon that illuminates the dark nights of this world.” He warned against society’s tendency to prioritise “technology, money, success, power, or pleasure” over genuine faith, leading to a “lack of purpose” and “erosion of family values”. This message resonates with our experience. The Oratory’s mission in Port Elizabeth has been to counteract this spiritual void by fostering a community rooted in prayer, sacraments, and authentic Christian living. Our efforts aim to rekindle faith and offer hope amid societal challenges.
Pope Leo also highlighted the importance of unity within the Church, stating, “I can rely on each and every one of you,” as he addressed the College of Cardinals. This sentiment mirrors our gratitude for the unwavering support from the faithful at St. Bernadette’s. Your prayers, participation, and encouragement have been instrumental in sustaining our community. Our shared journey reflects the Oratorian spirit of communal life and mutual support, echoing St. Philip Neri’s vision of a joyful and united Christian family.

Our founder, St Philip Neri, would not want a homily that was too heavy. He would interrupt us by now with a joke—or at least make a funny face to keep us honest. He once said, “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore, the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.” St Philip was no stranger to suffering, but he refused to let the darkness define him. He chose joy. And perhaps that is part of the miracle of the Oratory: the blend of seriousness and joy, reverence and spontaneity, prayer and song. Philip knew how to attract hearts to Christ not by force, but by friendship. In that spirit, we can say that these 17 years have not just been fruitful—they have been joyful. Through Masses and missions, catechesis and confessions, music and meals shared together, you have lived out Philip’s insight that “the shortest path to holiness is community.”

Our other beloved Oratorian saint, St John Henry Newman, once wrote, “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.” That is the spirit of the Oratory—it is personal, it is hidden, and it is specific. Newman also endured misunderstanding, isolation, and periods of dryness. But he trusted that God was still working, even when the path wasn’t clear. The same is true of the Oratory here. There have been moments when the mission felt fragile—perhaps even improbable. But Christ, the Good Shepherd, never left His flock. He used setbacks to purify motives, deepen faith, and clarify purpose. This is the slow work of God. And now, looking back, we can say with confidence: it has borne fruit. Not just in numbers, but in souls drawn closer to Jesus Christ through the sacraments, through sound teaching, and through the atmosphere of prayer that marks Oratorian life.

Lastly, we must mention our parish patroness, St Bernadette. A simple girl, often sick, often forgotten—yet chosen by Our Lady to receive the message of Lourdes. She once said, “I was nothing, and of this nothing, God made something.” That is a fitting image of the Oratory’s beginnings here: small, modest, hidden. But because it was rooted in prayer, it had power. The world values visibility, success, acclaim. But God delights in the hidden, in the mustard seed, in the quiet offering of faith. And Bernadette, who seems to have called us to her parish, reminds us of humility—that we are not the source of the mission; we are its stewards.

Seventeen is not a round number like 10 or 25. But perhaps it’s better that way. It reminds us that the work is ongoing. The mission is not complete. The Oratory is still becoming what God intends it to be. Pope Leo’s emphasis on missionary outreach and unity challenges us to deepen our commitment to evangelisation and community building. As we look ahead, we ask for a deeper spirit of communion, a firmer resolve in trial, and a more radical trust in the power of God’s grace. And above all, may we never lose the joy of the Gospel—the joy that St Philip embodied, the joy that carried Nereus and Achilleus through martyrdom, the joy that radiated from St Bernadette’s hidden holiness. May this anniversary deepen our gratitude and renew our zeal.

Saints Nereus and Achilleus, pray for us. St Philip Neri, pray for us. St John Henry Newman, pray for us. St Bernadette, pray for us. And may the God who began this good work in the Oratory of Port Elizabeth bring it to completion—in His time, and for His glory.

Amen.