In preparation for the Solemnity of our Holy Father St Philip on 26 May, the solemn annual Novena takes place in our church from 17:30 to 18:00 on weekday evenings. It includes prayers, chant and a meditation on an aspect of St Philip’s life from the writings of St John Henry Newman. The Novena continues up to and including Thursday 25 May. (A much briefer form of the novena is observed after the morning Masses.) On Saturday and Sunday the novena is incorporated into the Solemn Benediction which follows Exposition.
Those unable to attend the novena in the church are invited to pray at home, using the prayer of Baronius:
Prayer of Cardinal Baronius to St Philip Neri
Look down from heaven, Holy Father, from the loftiness of that mountain to the lowliness of this valley; from that harbour of quietness and tranquillity to this calamitous sea. And now that the darkness of this world hinders no more those benignant eyes of thine from looking clearly into all things, look down and visit, O most diligent keeper, this vineyard which thy right hand planted with so much labour, anxiety and peril. To thee then we fly, from thee we seek for aid; to thee we give our whole selves unreservedly. Thee we adopt as our patron and defender; undertake the cause of our salvation, protect thy clients. To thee we appeal as our leader; rule thine army fighting against the assaults of the devil. To thee, kindest of pilots, we give up the rudder of our lives; steer this little ship of thine, and, placed as thou art on high, keep us off all the rocks of evil desires, that with thee for our pilot and our guide, we may safely come to the port of eternal bliss. Amen
Solemnity of St Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratory, 26 May
Solemn Mass will be celebrated at 17:30, followed by celebratory refreshments in the parish hall. Please RSVP to the parish office by Monday 22 May for the reception in the hall. We are all warmly invited to this important and blessed occasion!