Saint Philip Neri
Priest, Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
St. Philip Neri was a priest of Rome in the 16th century. He founded the Oratorians, a congregation for secular priests. At a time of religious decadence, he did much to revive a true sense of religion and devotion to the Eucharist. He was very original and always of a joyous disposition, often playing practical jokes on friends, so much so that some doubted his sanctity. His biography tells that his heart beat so strongly with love of God that one day two of his ribs cracked.
Opening Prayer
God, our Father,
You want us to be joyful people
As we are disciples of the risen Lord
who defeated death as the great enemy.
Thank you for creating us for happiness.
Help us to make our own
the motto of Saint Philip Neri
that joy is the best way to perfection.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I shall say it: Rejoice!
May everyone see your gentle and understanding heart. The Lord is near:
do not be anxious about anything. In everything, bring your requests to God through prayer and supplication, along with thanksgiving.
Then, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and admirable. Pay attention to anything worth praise and admiration.
Put into action what you have learned from me, what I have shared with you, what you heard from me, or saw me do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11
R. (2) I will bless the Lord at all times.
or:
R. (9) Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear and be glad.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
or:
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
or:
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
or:
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
blessed the man who takes refuge in him.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
or:
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
or:
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in my love, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.
May they all be one just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one:
I in them and you in me. Then they will be perfect in unity, and the world will know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Father, since you have given them to me, I want them to be with me where I am and see the glory you gave me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
As I revealed your name to them, so will I continue to reveal it so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I also may be in them.”
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
with bread and wine we celebrate
the feast meal to which Jesus invites us.
Let us be together here with him
in the joy of friendship and love
that unites us as your happy people.
Let this eucharist prepare us
to share one day in the joy
which you have prepared for all who love you,
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our faithful God,
we have celebrated with joy
the liberating presence among us
of your Son Jesus Christ
and we have eaten from his table.
Accompany us through life
through the Holy Spirit of your Son,,
the playful Spirit of wisdom and fantasy,
of encounter and gratuitous love,
that hand in hand we may go on
believing in the unexpected
and making the impossible come true,
until you gather us around the table
of your feast that lasts forever.
Blessing
“A sad saint is a sad sort of saint,” said St. Philip Neri. God loves the joyful giver. May God give us the joy of people risen with Christ: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.