News from the General Procura of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri June 2009

Congress of the North Italian Federation

1 June 2009

The Procurator General greeted the participants of the annual Congress of the Federation of the Oratorian Congregations of North that was meeting at Bologna. The theme of their meeting was “The Word of God and the Oratory”. The Procurator sent his good wishes for a fruitful outcome for the day.

Homilies for the Solemnity of St Philip

2 June 2009

We are happy to reproduce the texts of the homilies preached at the Chiesa Nuova on the Solemnity of St Philip Neri, by His Excellence Mauro Piacenza, Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, and His Eminence Cardinal Zenon Grocholweski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education. http://www.oratoriosanfilippo.org/omelie-sanfilippo2009.pdf

New Major Penitentiary

2 June 2009

On learning that the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI had accepted the resignation, presented on account of reaching the age limit, of his Eminence Cardinal James Francis Stafford, from the office of Major Penitentiary, and had appointed to that position His Excellent Fortunato Baldelli, titular of Bevagna, until now Apostolic Nuncio in France, the Procurator General thanked his Eminence for the constant benevolence that he has shown to the Oratory, and sent his good wishes to the new Major Penitentiary.

Condolences

10 June 2009

The Procurator General, bringing with him the condolences of the Oratorian Confederation, participated at the burial of Mr De Gioia, Father of P. Mauro De Gioia, Provost of the Congregation of Genova.

Towards the Fourth Centenary of the Constitutions

14 June 2009

The forthcoming anniversary of the fourth centenary of the Brief Christifidelium quorumlibe with which Paul V, on 24 February 1612, approved the Institute of the Congregation of the Oratory, will offer an important opportunity for Oratorians to renew their faithfulness to the spirit of their vocation.

We publish here an article of Father Edoardo A. Cerrato, dedicated to the memory of Father Edward Griffith CO, the fiftieth anniversary of whose death fell today. http://www.oratoriosanfilippo.org/centenario-costituzioni.pdf

1 Year for Priests

15 June 2009

The Procurator General thanks an infirm confrère for the letter he sent to the Procura, a moving testimony of faith in the ‘Gift and Mystery’ of the priesthood, as well as to the fraternal charity of the Oratory.

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In Solemnitate Corporis Sanguinisque Domini nostri Iesu Christi, anno 2009

Querido Padre Edoardo:

[…] hemos puesto nuestras pobres vidas al servicio del Señor, único Sacerdote. Y ofrecemos cuanto nos depare el cada día, alegrías o dolores, acogidas y rechazos, fidelidades e infidelidades, en pro de los Sacerdotes de la Confederación de Oratorios de N. P. San Felipe Neri, durante el Año Jubilar Sacerdotal.

Como Procurador General, accepte, Padre, nuestro propósito. Y que el Dios de Misericordia tenga en cuenta nuestra promesa ante El, y a V. R. comunicada. Unidos en la Caridad Alegre, le reiteramos nuestra fidelidad, nuestro personal afecto y la pequeñez de nuestro servicio oratoriano.

Laus Deo, Virginique Matri

A. F., pbro. C.O.

Beginning of the Priestly Year

19 June 2009

On this Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a special ‘Year for Priests’ began, according to the instruction of the Holy Father Benedict XVI.

The Procurator General preached a preparatory Triduum in the Church of the Oratory of Biella, which, according to the decision of the Bishop, began the Year for Priests for the whole diocese.

We provide here a link to the homily for the first day of the Triduum. http://www.oratoriosanfilippo.org/omelia-sacerdote.pdf

New Bishop for Sora

20 June 2009

On learning that the Holy Father Benedict XVI, accepting the resignation for reasons of age of His Exellence from the diocese of Sora, and had appointed to that See His Excellence Filippo Iannone, until now assistant bishop in the Archdiocese of , the Procurator General sent to both prelates the respects of the Confederation of the Oratory, thanking Bishop Brandolini for the cordial welcome he always gave to initiatives connected with the Cause for Beatification of the Venerable Cardinal Baronius, and to Bishop Iannone his good wishes for a joyful and fruitful ministry at the service of a Church which counts among its sons this disciple of St Philip.

2 Ordination of Father Vigo

21 June 2009

The Procurator General participated in the Mass in the Cathedral of Genova in which his Eminence Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genova, conferred priestly Ordination on the deacon Giacomo Vigo CO.

Mexican Federation

22 June 2009

The Procurator General sent the good wishes of the Confederation for the work of the Federation of Mexico for their meeting at Cuernavaca, Morelos between 22-25 June, on the theme “Historia del apostolado oratoriano en los orígenes fundacionales”.

The End of the Pauline Year

29 June 2009

We here provide a link to an article that represents material from a number of different sermons that the Procurator General has given in different Congregations and to the Sisters of St Philip Neri during the course of the Pauline Year, which His Holiness Benedict XVI brought to a conclusion today. http://www.oratoriosanfilippo.org/anno-paolino.pdf

Anniversary of the Venerable Cardinal Caesar Baronius

30 June 2009

The Venerable Caesar Baronius was remembered at all Masses in St Maria in Vallicella on this year on which he died 402 years ago. After Mass, many visited and prayed before the remains of the Servant of God. A Solemn Mass was celebrated by the Procurator General in the Chapel of St Charles Borromeo, where the remains of Cardinal Baronius rest.

We here publish a summary of the celebration and of other news about visits to the remains, as well as various new initiatives linked to the Cause. http://www.oratoriosanfilippo.org/baronio2009.pdf

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