Saint Philip Neri: Aspire to sainthood

Fr Richard's homily for the Memorial of Saint Philip Neri. Mass was celebrated for the intentions of the York Oratory community.

Readings: https://universalis.com/20200526/mass.htm

Homily: Aspire to sainthood

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I have a special affinity with St Philip Neri. The second “Apostle of Rome”, as he is affectionately known, lived at San Girolamo, literally across the cobbles from the Venerable English College, where I trained for the priesthood. He was there at the time when the seminary was founded in 1579. He loved the first students who were later to be martyred for the faith on their return to England. Whenever he saw them in the street, he would greet them with these words: “Salvete Flores Martyrum” – “Hail flowers of the martyrs.”

During my time in Rome, the college community had a private audience both with Pope Benedict XVI and with Pope Francis. Both mentioned the example of Saint Philip in their addresses. In particular, Pope Benedict’s words, incidentally on the Feast of St Francis Xavier in 2013, drew attention to the college and also the neighbourhood in which we lived and studied being hallowed with “many saints”, including St Philip. “Make it your aspiration to be counted among their number,” the Pope said. Words addressed to all of us.

St Philip’s closeness to the English was always acknowledged on this day – when we’d always provide the choir, servers and deacons for the Feastday Mass in Chiesa Nouva, where his tomb is situated. Sadly, because of the present situation, the English students aren’t in Rome today.

In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about the mission of St Paul, who himself ended up in the eternal city and was martyred there. Paul is speaking about his many journeys where, along the way, he preached to the people about Christ, urged people to convert, and proclaimed the kingdom to all whom he met. St Philip imitated Paul in his zealous, joyful preaching and example to the people of Rome. He would walk the city’s cobbled roads, talking to people on street corners and in the piazzas. He had a great sense of humour and a gift for striking up conversations. He would encourage people to follow the path of Christ, he would gather groups to meet for prayer and study, and he would lead his followers to the hospitals to care for the sick. Night, however, was the time for solitude and prayer.

In Benedict XVI’s words, may we aspire to be counted among St Philip’s number. Let us ask this Apostle of Rome’s intercession, that we may not be afraid to speak to people on our streets about the salvation won for us by Christ Jesus and the happiness of a life spent with our Saviour.

*We pray especially today for the Oratorians, the community which St Philip founded, and in particular for the community of the York Oratory at St Wilfrid’s. We pray for their apostolate in our Diocese and that they may continue to strive in imitating St Philip Neri in holiness of life. Lord hear our prayer.