Today, the Vatican Press Centre published the text of a Message which was sent by the Holy Father, Pope Francis to Father Mario Alberto Avilés, the Procurator General of the Confederation of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, on the occasion of the fifth centenary of the birth of Saint Philip, whose liturgical memorial is observed today.
The fifth centenary of the birth of Saint Philip Neri, born in Florence on the 21st of July, 1515, gives me the joyous occasion to be spiritually united with the entire Confederation of the Oratory, to commemorate him who lived for sixty years in this city, earning the nickname Apostle of Rome. His journey was profoundly marked by his relationship with Jesus Christ and by his commitment to drawing toward him the souls that were entrusted to his spiritual care; even at the point of death, he said: Anyone who seeks something other than Christ does not know what he is looking for; he who seeks something other than Christ does not know what he is asking for. From this fervent experience of communion with the Lord Jesus, the Oratory was born, an ecclesial reality that is characterized by an intense and joyous spiritual life: prayer, listening to and conversations about the Word of God, preparation for the worthy reception of the Sacraments, formation in the Christian life through the history of the Saints and of the Church, works of charity in favour of the poor.
Thanks also to the apostolate of Saint Philip, commitment to the salvation of souls once more became a priority for the Church; we once again realized the importance of Pastors being present with the people in order to guide and support them in faith. Philip guided many, proclaiming the Gospel and dispensing the Sacraments. In particular, he dedicated himself with great passion to the ministry of Confession, even on the evening of his final day on earth. His preoccupation was to constantly follow the spiritual growth of his disciples, accompanying them in their aspirations for life and teaching them Christian hope. His mission of chaser of souls was certainly favoured as the singular attraction of his person, characterized by human warmth, joy, gentleness and sweetness. These traits found their origins in his ardent experience of Christ and in the action of the divine Spirit which filled his heart.
In his method of formation, Father Philip used contrasting methods of fertility: enamoured by intimate and solitary prayer, he taught the Oratory to pray in fraternal communion; strongly ascetic in the practice of corporal penance, he proposed commitment to interior mortification marked by joy and serenity; a passionate preacher of the Word of God, he used words sparingly so as not to create any commotion. This was the secret that made him an authentic father and master of the soul. His spiritual paternity shines through all of his actions, characterized by his trust in people, by his tendency to shy away from sombre and scowling tones, by a spirit of festivity and joy based on his belief that grace does not eliminate nature but makes it healthy, strengthens it and perfects it.
Saint Philip Neri remains an illuminating model of the permanent mission of the Church in the world. The example of his approach toward others, in order to bear witness to all people of the love and the mercy of the Lord, can be an inspiration for bishops, priests, consecrated persons and for the faithful. Beginning in the first years of his presence in Rome, he exercised an apostolate of personal relationships and of friendship as a privileged means of opening the way toward an encounter with Jesus and with the gospel. His biographer attests to this truth, saying: He approached a few of them, first this one, then that one, and all of them soon became his friends. He loved spontaneity, and hid from whatever was artificial, choosing the most enjoyable means to teach Christian virtues, at the same time proposing a healthy discipline including the exercise of the will in order to welcome Christ into the reality of their lives. His deep conviction was that the journey toward holiness is based on the grace of an encounter - a meeting with Christ - which is open to every person, regardless of their state in life or their condition, who welcomes him with child-like wonder.
The Church's permanent missionary state requires you, spiritual sons of Saint Philip Neri, to not be content with a mediocre life; on the contrary, following the school of your Founder, you are called to be men of prayer and of witness in order to attract other people to Christ. In our present day, especially in the world of the youth who were so dear to Saint Philip, there is a great need for people who pray and who know how to teach others how to pray. With his intense affection for the Blessed Sacrament, without which he could not live, as one witness said during the process for his canonization, he teaches us that the Eucharist which is celebrated, adored and lived is the font from which we can draw inspiration in order to speak to the hearts of men. In fact, with Jesus Christ, joy is constantly born and reborn (Evangelii gaudium, 1). May this joy, a characteristic of the Oratorian spirit, always be the fundamental climate of your community and of your apostolate.
Saint Philip turned affectionately to Mary under the invocation Virgin Mother, Mother Virgin, convinced that these two titles provide the essence of Mary. May she accompany you on your journey, drawing you always closer to Christ and ever stronger in your commitment to a zeal which is increasingly true as you preach and bear witness to the Gospel. While I ask you to pray for me and for my ministry, these reflections are accompanied by a special Apostolic Blessing which I willingly impart to all the members of the Oratorian Congregation, to the lay members of the secular Oratories and to all those who are associated with your spiritual family.
From the Vatican
May 26, 2015
Francis
Message of His Holiness, Pope Francis
to Reverend Father Mario Alberto Avilés, C.O.
Procurator General of the Confederation
of the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri
The fifth centenary of the birth of Saint Philip Neri, born in Florence on the 21st of July, 1515, gives me the joyous occasion to be spiritually united with the entire Confederation of the Oratory, to commemorate him who lived for sixty years in this city, earning the nickname Apostle of Rome. His journey was profoundly marked by his relationship with Jesus Christ and by his commitment to drawing toward him the souls that were entrusted to his spiritual care; even at the point of death, he said: Anyone who seeks something other than Christ does not know what he is looking for; he who seeks something other than Christ does not know what he is asking for. From this fervent experience of communion with the Lord Jesus, the Oratory was born, an ecclesial reality that is characterized by an intense and joyous spiritual life: prayer, listening to and conversations about the Word of God, preparation for the worthy reception of the Sacraments, formation in the Christian life through the history of the Saints and of the Church, works of charity in favour of the poor.
Thanks also to the apostolate of Saint Philip, commitment to the salvation of souls once more became a priority for the Church; we once again realized the importance of Pastors being present with the people in order to guide and support them in faith. Philip guided many, proclaiming the Gospel and dispensing the Sacraments. In particular, he dedicated himself with great passion to the ministry of Confession, even on the evening of his final day on earth. His preoccupation was to constantly follow the spiritual growth of his disciples, accompanying them in their aspirations for life and teaching them Christian hope. His mission of chaser of souls was certainly favoured as the singular attraction of his person, characterized by human warmth, joy, gentleness and sweetness. These traits found their origins in his ardent experience of Christ and in the action of the divine Spirit which filled his heart.
In his method of formation, Father Philip used contrasting methods of fertility: enamoured by intimate and solitary prayer, he taught the Oratory to pray in fraternal communion; strongly ascetic in the practice of corporal penance, he proposed commitment to interior mortification marked by joy and serenity; a passionate preacher of the Word of God, he used words sparingly so as not to create any commotion. This was the secret that made him an authentic father and master of the soul. His spiritual paternity shines through all of his actions, characterized by his trust in people, by his tendency to shy away from sombre and scowling tones, by a spirit of festivity and joy based on his belief that grace does not eliminate nature but makes it healthy, strengthens it and perfects it.
Saint Philip Neri remains an illuminating model of the permanent mission of the Church in the world. The example of his approach toward others, in order to bear witness to all people of the love and the mercy of the Lord, can be an inspiration for bishops, priests, consecrated persons and for the faithful. Beginning in the first years of his presence in Rome, he exercised an apostolate of personal relationships and of friendship as a privileged means of opening the way toward an encounter with Jesus and with the gospel. His biographer attests to this truth, saying: He approached a few of them, first this one, then that one, and all of them soon became his friends. He loved spontaneity, and hid from whatever was artificial, choosing the most enjoyable means to teach Christian virtues, at the same time proposing a healthy discipline including the exercise of the will in order to welcome Christ into the reality of their lives. His deep conviction was that the journey toward holiness is based on the grace of an encounter - a meeting with Christ - which is open to every person, regardless of their state in life or their condition, who welcomes him with child-like wonder.
The Church's permanent missionary state requires you, spiritual sons of Saint Philip Neri, to not be content with a mediocre life; on the contrary, following the school of your Founder, you are called to be men of prayer and of witness in order to attract other people to Christ. In our present day, especially in the world of the youth who were so dear to Saint Philip, there is a great need for people who pray and who know how to teach others how to pray. With his intense affection for the Blessed Sacrament, without which he could not live, as one witness said during the process for his canonization, he teaches us that the Eucharist which is celebrated, adored and lived is the font from which we can draw inspiration in order to speak to the hearts of men. In fact, with Jesus Christ, joy is constantly born and reborn (Evangelii gaudium, 1). May this joy, a characteristic of the Oratorian spirit, always be the fundamental climate of your community and of your apostolate.
Saint Philip turned affectionately to Mary under the invocation Virgin Mother, Mother Virgin, convinced that these two titles provide the essence of Mary. May she accompany you on your journey, drawing you always closer to Christ and ever stronger in your commitment to a zeal which is increasingly true as you preach and bear witness to the Gospel. While I ask you to pray for me and for my ministry, these reflections are accompanied by a special Apostolic Blessing which I willingly impart to all the members of the Oratorian Congregation, to the lay members of the secular Oratories and to all those who are associated with your spiritual family.
From the Vatican
May 26, 2015
Francis
No comments:
Post a Comment