Homily for he establishment of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in St. Anthony of Padua Parish

The following text is the homily given by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., for the establishment of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Red Bank, 
July 7, 2024

What do you want to get out of life? What are your hopes and expectations? These are good questions to ponder.  After all, God has created us, given us the gift of life … for a time.  We do not know, however, how long or short that time --- our life, will be. What do you want to get out of it?

I am sure there are many answers in your minds as I ask that question. Happiness. Satisfaction.  Love.  Family. Friends. A good job. Prosperity. Success.  All worthy answers. 
How about gratitude?  Wisdom? Faith? Joy? God’s presence and grace?  Virtue? Prayerfulness? Again, worthy answers, more spiritual and profound.

What do they all have in common? They don’t just happen. 

Another question to consider: what are you willing to give to this life?

St. Philip Neri said this: “He who wishes for anything but Christ, does not know what he wishes; he who asks for anything but Christ, does not know what he is asking; he who works, and not for Christ, does not know what he is doing. … He who desires anything but God deceives himself and he who loves anything but God errs miserably. … first, let a little love find entrance into your heart and the rest will follow.”

My sisters and brothers, the “rest” has followed.  I offer these words today because of the special reason and motivation that brings us together: the establishment of this Oratory of St. Philip Neri here at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Red Bank, in the Diocese of Trenton. This occasion is the fruit and fulfillment of 10 years of prayer and discernment and “desire for Christ,” a time when “love has found entrance into the hearts” of a small group of clergy and brothers in this parish who have lived and prayed and worked together as a community after the spirit and rule of St. Philip Neri and his first Oratorians in Rome.  He and they established their oratory in 1575 to be a place of prayer from which experience of daily communion with God and fraternity, the Gospel of Christ was proclaimed and the charity of Christ was shared with the neighboring people of God who looked to them for inspiration and encouragement, for peaching and the sacraments … and more.

St. Philip Neri was an amazing man, a devoted priest of the 16th century and a saint whose profound spiritual impact continues throughout the world almost 450 years later.  Over these past 10 years, I have come to read about, know and love him through what I have learned in books and articles; I have visited and prayed at his tomb in Rome; but even more through what I have seen and experienced through this community here in Red Bank, especially because of the dedicated leadership of Father Alberto Tamayo, CO, the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish. As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, because of his influence, I have made this parish the Oratory’s home. 

With the approval and petition and blessing of their superiors in Rome, today, the Red Bank Oratory – by decree of our Holy Father Pope Francis – is formally and permanently established in this Diocese.

My dear Father Tamayo and your brothers of this Oratory, my dear sisters and brothers of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, my dear friends who join in this celebration and holy Mass, let us pray together that the Oratory of Red Bank will flourish and grow, radiating the joy for which St. Philip Neri was always known, and leading all who come here to find the Lord Jesus Christ.

What do you want to get out of life?  What do you want to give?
“We must remember what Christ has said, that not he who begins but he that perseveres to the end, shall be saved (St. Philip Neri).  
 
Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D.
Bishop of Trenton