In preparation for the Solemnity of our Holy Father St Philip, the solemn annual Novena begins in our church this Sunday 17 May. On weekday evenings (starting Monday 18th) from 17:30 to 18:00 we will meet for prayers and chant in honour of our Saint, including a stimulating meditation on an aspect of St Philip’s life from the writings of St John Henry Newman. (See below for a digital copy of the novena booklet.)
On Saturdays and Sunday evenings the novena will be incorporated into Solemn Benediction following Exposition. The Novena continues each day up to and including Monday 25 May. (A briefer form of the novena is observed after the weekday 6:30am and 8:30am Masses.)
Within the novena this year we mark the 475th anniversary of St Philip’s ordination as priest, which took place in the church of St Tommaso in Parione, in Rome, 23rd May 1551. In view of this, the 8.30am Mass on Saturday 23rd May in St Bernadette’s will be a votive Mass of St Philip Neri, and at this Mass, Brother Simon Mowatt C.O. will be instituted as an acolyte (this formally institutes Brother Simon as a acolyte or server for certain functions in the Church’s liturgy; candidates for the diaconate and priesthood must be instituted as acolytes prior to their ordination.)
The Oratorian community recalls the sentiments of St John Paul II expressed in 2001, on the 450th anniversary of St Philip’s ordination, “that the example of prayer and trust in God, of humility, charity, and serene optimism left as a legacy by your lovable Founder may encourage a renewed discovery of the person and work of this unique Apostle of hope, who can still teach so much to the humanity of the Third Millennium, and especially to Christians committed to the new evangelization.” (Cardinal Sodano, Message sent on behalf of Pope John Paul II, 27th March 2001)
You are very warmly invited to join in our Novena!
Solemnity of St Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratory, 26 May
On Tuesday 26 May the Oratory celebrates her holy founder, the Apostle of Rome, St Philip Neri. Solemn Mass will be celebrated at 17:30, followed by celebratory refreshments in the parish hall. We are all warmly invited to this important occasion for the Oratorian Fathers, the Secular Oratory and whole parish community.