Monday, May 26, 2008

Some Liturgical Devotions to St Philip Neri

This is the Vesper hymn from the traditional Ambrosian Rite for St Philip Neri:

Sacrum Philippum canticum
Terræque et astra concinant:
Implevit hic virtutibus
Terras, et astra civibus.

Rectæ magister semitæ,
Dux gentis, ara pauperum,
Ardens lucerna in Israel;
Sic ille Romæ splenduit.

Inter sepulchra martyrum
Orat, latetque pervigil:
Ex his sepulchris prodiens
Vitam resumit cœlicam.

Romanæ honorem purpuræ,
Quo plus meretur, respuit;
Et major ostro et infulis
Virtute sola fulgurat.

Illapsa flamma pectori
Divini amoris æstuat,
Et corde claudi nescia
Costas refractas dividit.

Ad astra jam cor altius
Vulnus per illud evolat;
Et fusa late in proximos
Divina flagrat caritas.

Hæc caritatis vulnera
Plagas coæquant martyrum:
Hic cordis ignis æstuans
Flammas adæquat Seraphim.

Ergo rogamus supplices,
Philippe, summo Numini
Tu nostra pande pectora,
Tuis ut urat ignibus.

Deo Patri sit gloria
Ejusque soli Filio
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
In sempiterna sæcula. Amen.


According to the Oratorian Proper, the 1st Nocturn readings are from Ecclesiasticus 51:11-30 [RSV] (Vulg. 51:15-38), the 2nd Nocturn readings are those of the Breviary previous to its last preconciliar reform, and the readings for the 3rd Nocturn are as follows:

Lectio VII.

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.

In illo tempore; dixit Jesus discipulis suis: Sint lumbi vestri præcincti, et lucernæ ardentes in manibus vestris. Et reliqua.

Homilia sancti Ambrosii Episcopi.


Lib. 7. In Lucam. [Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam VII, 131-132]

Beati servi illi, quos cum venerit Dominus invenerit vigilantes. In superioribus vigilare nos voluit, per omnia expectantes momenta Domini Salvatoris adventum; ne dum aliquis remittit, et negligit, et de die in diem opera sua differt, judicii futuri die, vel propria morte præventus meritum suæ commendationis amittat; et illa quidem in omnes præcepti forma generalis. (Quod si dixerit servus ille in corde suo, moram facit Dominus meus venire). Verum series sequentis exempli dispensatoribus, hoc est Sacerdotibus, videtur esse proposita, quo sciant sibi gravem in futurum pœnam esse subeundam, si sæcularibus intenti deliciis, familiam Domini, plebemque commissam sibi gubernare neglexerint. Ille autem servus, qui cognovit voluntatem Domini sui, et non præparavit, et non fecit secundum voluntatem ejus, vapulabit multis.

(A reading of the holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands. And the rest.

A homily of St Ambrose the Bishop.

Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Above, he wished us to expect at all times the Coming of our Saviour , lest when someone relax and neglect his tasks, putting them off from day to day, he be prevented by the day of the future Judgement or his own death and lose the merit of his worth. And, surely, that is the general form of a precept for all. But if that servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming… is indeed the link with the following example for stewards , that is, it seems to be set before Priests, whereby they may know that they will suffer severe punishment in the future, if, intent on worldly pleasures, they have neglected to govern the Lord’s Household and the people entrusted to them. And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. )

Lectio VIII.

Sed quia exiguus est profectus, et parva meritorum gratia, supplicii metu ab errore revocari, majorque prærogativa caritatis et amoris est Dominus ad promerendam sui gratiam studia nostra acuit, et acquirenda cupiditate divinitatis inflammat dicens: Ignem veni mittere in terram. Non utique illum ignem consumptorem bonorum, sed bonæ voluntatis auctorem, qui aurea Dominicæ domus vasa meliorat, fœnum vero consumit, et stipulam, et sæcularia omnia mundi voluptate concreta; perituræque opus carnis exurit; ille ignis divinus, qui flammigerabat in ossibus Prophetarum, sicut Sanctus dixit: Quia factus est sicut ignis ardens flammigerans in ossibus meis. Est enim ignis Domini, de quo dictum est: Ignis ante eum ardebit.

(But because the profit is slight and the grace of merits little, in being recalled from error by the fear of punishment, and the prerogative of charity and love is greater, therefore the Lord sharpens our zeal to express his grace and inflames us with the desire for divinity, saying, I am come to send fire on the earth, surely not that fire which destroys the good, but the author of good will, which refines the golden vessels of the Lord’s House, but consumes hay and halm. And worldly things, stiffened by the pleasure of this age and the work of the perishable flesh are burned by that divine fire which blazed in the bones of the prophets, as a Saint says: But it was as burning fire flaming in my bones. For there is a fire of the Lord of which it is said, Fire shall go before him.)

Lectio IX.

Sint autem lumbi vestri præcincti, et lucernæ ardentes; et ideo, quia nox est dies hujus vitæ, lucerna est necessaria. Hunc ignem in se etiam Amaon, et Cleophas a Domino missum esse testatur, dicentes: Nonne cor nostrum ardens erat in via, cum aperiret nobis Scripturas? Evidenter itaque docuerunt, qualis istius ignis sit operatio, qui secreta cordis illuminat . Et ideo fortasse Dominus in igne venturus est, ut resurrectionis tempore vitia universa consumat, suique conspectu desideria compleat singulorum; meritorumque, et mysteriorum lumen accendat.

(Let therefore your loins be girt, and lamps burning. And, therefore, because the night is the day of this life, a lamp is needful. Do not also Ammos and Cleophas bear witness that this fire was sent to them from the Lord, saying, Was not our heart burning… on the way, when he opened to us the scriptures? Thus, they clearly taught what is the operation of that fire which illumines the secrets of the heart. Thus, perchance, the Lord is to come in fire, so that at the time of the Resurrection, he may consume all offences, and by his appearance fulfil the desires of individuals and of the deserving, and kindle the light of mysteries.)


Here is the traditional Oratorian Preface for St Philip, with my poor translation:

Vere dignum, et justum est, æquum et salutare nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, æterne Deus.
Qui beatum Philippum gratiæ tuæ muneribus, amoris igne æstuare fecisti: qua ineffabili charitate inflammatus, novam ad animarum lucrum Congregationem instituit, et quæ aliis dedit salutis monita, operum exhibitione complevit.
Quæsumus clementiam tuam ut illius nos festivitate (commemoratione) lætifices, exemplo piæ conversationis exerceas, verbo prædicationis erudias, grataque tibi supplicatione tuearis.
Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis cum Thronis et Dominationibus cumque omni militia cœlestis exercitus, hymnum gloriæ tuæ canimus, sine fine dicentes:


(Truly it is worthy and just, right and salutary for us always and everywhere to give thanks unto thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God.
Who hast made blessed Philip by the gifts of thy grace to burn with the fire of love: enkindled by that ineffable charity, he instituted a new Congregation for the gain of souls, and those salutary precepts he gave others, he accomplished by the example of his deeds.
We beseech therefore thy clemency, that thou mayest give us joy by his feast (commemoration), exercise us by the example of his pious conduct, instruct us by the word of his preaching, and protect us by his thankful supplication unto thee.
And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with every army of the host of heaven, we sing a hymn to thy glory, saying without end:)


Finally, here are the traditional and the modern responsories for Matins/Office of Readings for the saint, together with references to their sources; I have dared to add three compositions of my own at the end, for private devotion only:

I. THE EIGHT TRADITIONAL RESPONSORIES

First Nocturn – Responsories referring to the Marvellous Dilation of St Philip’s Heart by the Fire of Divine Love of the Holy Ghost

Resp. 1

R. Repletus Spiritus sancto beatus Philippus ascensiones suas disposuit in corde suo; * Et totis visceribus diligebat Dominum. V. Dedit ei Spiritus Domini sapientiam, et prudentiam multam nimis, et latitudinem cordis. * Et totis visceribus diligebat Dominum.

“repletus Spiritus sancto Petrus” – Acts 4:8
“Paulus, repletus Spiritus sancto” – Acts 13:9
“ascensiones in corde suo disposuit” – Ps 83(84):6
“qui totis visceribus diligebat Christum Regem” – Aña ad Magn., Vespers of St Martin of Tours
“Dedit quoque Deus sapientiam Salomoni et prudentiam multam nimis, et latitudinem cordis” – 3(1) Kings 4:29a

Resp. 2

R. Spiritus sanctus a throno procedens, illius cor penetravit * Novo sanctificationis signo. V. Advenit ignis divinus confringens, urens, et illuminans; et tribuit ei charismatum dona. * Novo sanctificationis signo.

“R. Spiritus sanctus, procedens a throno, Apostolorum pectora invisibiliter penetravit novo sanctificationis signo: * Ut in ore eorum omnium genera nascerentur linguarum, alleluja. V. Advenit ignis divinus, non comburens, sed illuminans et tribuit eis charismatum dona. * Ut in ore…” – Matins of Pentecost (Feria II in Oct. Pent., R. ii)

Resp. 3

Amore vulneratus languebat jugiter dicens: * Quis me separabit a caritate. V. Certus sum enim, quia neque mors, neque vita, poterit me separare a caritate Dei, quoniam ipse in me manet, et ego in eo. * Quis me separabit a caritate. Gloria Patri… * Quis me separabit a caritate.

“Caritate Dei vulneratus languebat jugiter” – Lesson 5, Matins of St Philip Neri
«Vulneratus caritatis sum ego» – saying of St Philip Neri
Cf. “quia amore langueo” – Cant 2:5c & 5:8c
Cf. “Vulnerasti cor meum… vulnerasti cor meum…” – Cant 4:9
“Quis ergo nos separabit a caritate” – Rom 8:35a
“Certus sum enim quia neque mors, neque vita” – Rom 8:38a
“poterit nos separare a caritate Dei” – Rom 8: 39b
“in illo manet, et ipse in eo” – 1 Jn 3:24a
“quoniam in eo manemus, et ipse in nobis” – 1 Jn 4:13a
“quoniam… Deus in eo manet, et ipse in Deo” – 1 Jn 4:15b
“in me manet, et ego in illo” – Jn 6:57b
“qui manet in me et ego in eo” – Jn 15:5

Second Nocturn – Responsories referring to the Death of St Philip

Resp. 4

R. Oculis et manibus in cælum semper intentus: * Invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat. V. Clamans clamabat ad Dominum: Quando veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Dei? * Invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat.

“Oculis ac manibus in cælum semper intentus, invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat.” – V. of R. ii, Matins of St Martin of Tours
“R. Oculis ac manibus in cælum semper intentus, * Invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat.” – R. of R. iv., Matins of St Martin of Tours
“Oculis ac manibus in cælum semper intentus, invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat, alleluja. ” – Aña 4, Lauds & Vespers of St Martin of Tours
“clamabat ad Dominum, dicens” – Judith 9:1b
“quando veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Dei?” – Ps 41(42):3b

Resp. 5

R. Obitum suum longe ante præscivit, dixitque fratribus: * Cupio dissolvi, et esse cum Christo. V. Interiora mea intra me efferbuerunt absque ulla requie. * Cupio dissolvi, et esse cum Christo.

“Beatus Martinus obitum suum longe ante præscivit, dixitque fratribus, * Dissolutionem sui corporis imminere, quia judicabat se jam resolvi.” – R. of R. v., Matins of St Martin of Tours
“desiderium habens dissolvi, et esse cum Christo” – Phil 1:23b
“interiora mea efferbuerunt absque ulla requie” – Job 30:27a

Resp. 6

R. [Hodie] Philippus migravit a sæculo gemma sacerdotum. * Per quem in cælo viventem tanta miracula coruscant. V. O virum ineffabilem, nec labore victum, nec morte vincendum. * Per quem in cælo viventem tanta miracula coruscant. Gloria Patri… * Per quem in cælo viventem tanta miracula coruscant.

“Martinus episcopus migravit a sæculo: vivit in Christo gemma sacerdotum.” – V. of R. viii, Matins of St Martin of Tours
“O ineffabilem virum, per quem nobis tanta miracula coruscant!” – Aña 6, Matins of St Martin of Tours
“O virum ineffabilem, nec labore victum, nec morte vincendum, qui nec mori timuit, nec vivere recusavit!” – Aña 3, Lauds & Vespers of St Martin of Tours

Third Nocturn – Responsories referring to St Philip’s Desires for His Congregation of the Oratory

Resp. 7

R. Domus mea domus orationis vocabitur: * In eas omnis qui petit accipit, qui quærit invenit, et pulsanti aperietur. V. Lætificabo eos in domo orationis. * In eas omnis qui petit accipit, qui quærit invenit, et pulsanti aperietur.

“domus mea domus orationis vocabitur” – Is 56:7d
“Omnis enim qui petit, accipit: et qui quærit, invenit: et pulsanti aperietur.” – Mt 7:8 & Lk 11:10
“lætificabo eos in domo orationis” – Is 56:7b

Resp. 8

R. Obsecro itaque, filii, orationes fieri, postulationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus: * Et diligite decorem domus Dei. V. Manete in vocatione; attendite lectioni, et doctrinæ; conversationem inter gentes habete bonam. * Et diligite decorem domus Dei. Gloria Patri… * Et diligite decorem domus Dei.

“Obsecro igitur primum omnium fieri obsecrationes, orationes, postulationes, gratiarum actiones, pro omnibus hominibus ” – 1 Tim 2:1
“Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuæ” – Ps 25:8a
“Obsecro itaque vos ego vinctus in Domino, ut digne ambuletis vocatione, qua vocati estis” – Eph 4:1
“manete in vocatione” – not a Scriptural quotation, but quoted by St Gaspar del Bufalo (1836)
“attende lectioni, exhortationi, et doctrinæ”- 1 Tim 4:13b
“conversationem vestram inter gentes habentes bonam” – 1 Pet 2:12a

II. Responsories for Office of Readings of St Philip Neri

Resp. 1 (shortened form of Matins Resp. 8)

R. Obsecro itaque, filii, manete in vocatione, attendite lectioni et doctrinæ. * Conversationem inter gentes habete bonam. V. Et diligite decorem domus Dei. * Conversationem inter gentes habete bonam.

“Obsecro itaque vos ego vinctus in Domino, ut digne ambuletis vocatione, qua vocati estis” – Eph 4:1
“manete in vocatione” – not a Scriptural quotation, but quoted by St Gaspar del Bufalo (1836)
“attende lectioni, exhortationi, et doctrinæ”- 1 Tim 4:13b
“conversationem vestram inter gentes habentes bonam” – 1 Pet 2:12a
“Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuæ” – Ps 25:8a

Resp. 2 (seems suitable to be Matins Resp. 9)

R. Fratres, gaudete, perfecti estote, exhortamini invicem, idem sapite, pacem habete; * Et Deus dilectionis et pacis erit vobiscum (T.P. alleluja). V. Deus autem spei repleat vos omni gaudio et pace in credendo. * Et Deus dilectionis et pacis erit vobiscum (T.P. alleluja).

De cætero, fratres, gaudete, perfecti estote, exhortamini, idem sapite, pacem habete, et Deus pacis et dilectionis erit vobiscum. — 2 Cor. 13,11
Deus autem spei repleat vos omni gaudio et pace in credendo. — Rom 15,13a

III. Three More Proposed Responsories (Relating to St Philip’s Life), as if for use in the Monastic Rite (which needs 12 Responsories for Feasts)

Resp. 1

R/. Dominus Jesus invenit Philíppum. * Et dicit ei: Sequere me.
V/. Et vocavit Philíppum, unum de amicis suis. * Et dicit ei: Sequere me.


Et vocavit Philippum, unum de amicis suis — 1 Mach 6,14a
[Jesus] invenit Philippum. Et dicit ei Jesus: Sequere me. — Jo 1,43b

Resp. 2

R/. Philíppus ascendens in Civitatem, prædicabant illis Christum. Intendebant autem turbæ his quæ a Philíppo dicebantur, unanimiter audientes, et videntes signa quæ faciebat. * Factum est ergo gaudium magnum in Civitate.
V/. Cum vero credidissent Philíppo evangelizanti de regno Dei, adhærebant Philíppo. Videntes etiam signa et virtutes maximas fieri, stupentes admirabantur. * Factum est ergo gaudium magnum in Civitate.


Philippus autem descendens in civitatem Samariæ, prædicabant illis Christum. Intendebant autem turbæ his quæ a Philippo dicebantur, unanimiter audientes, et videntes signa quæ faciebat. Factum est ergo gaudium magnum in illa civitate.
Cum vero credidissent Philippo evangelizanti de regno Dei…
…adhærebat Philippo. Videns etiam signa et virtutes maximas fieri, stupens admirabatur. — Act 8:5,6,8,12a,13b

Resp. 3

R/. Omnibus omnia factus sum, ut omnes facerem salvos. * Repletus sum consolatione; superabundo gaudio.
V/. Puto autem quod et ego Spiritum Dei habeo. * Repletus sum consolatione; superabundo gaudio.


Omnibus omnia factus sum, ut omnes facerem salvos. — 1 Cor 9,22b
Repletus sum consolatione; superabundo gaudio. — 2 Cor 7,4b
Puto autem quod et ego Spiritum Dei habeo. — 1 Cor 7,40b

2 comments:

Matthew said...

Very interested. Thank you for this post!

I recently saw your blog listed as newly added to St. Blog's Parish Directory. I wish to welcome you!

Pax Tecum.

Joshua said...

Thanks.