We invite you to join us for our Novena to St Philip Neri starting on Monday 24 May in preparation for his feast day which we will celebrate on Wednesday 2 June. This year his feast day is transferred due to the Octave of Pentecost, but we are sure he won’t mind! St Philip had a strong devotion to the Holy Spirit who he visibly saw enter his heart while praying in the catacombs.
Prayer 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 guide, we may safely come to the port of eternal bliss. Amen.
We invite you to join us in celebrating his feast on Wednesday 2 June at 10:30am with Solemn High Mass at Mary Immaculate Church.