Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
"The Apostle of Rome"
Memorial, May 26
by Cesare Cardinal Baronio
Look down from heaven, Holy Father, from the loftiness of that mountain to the lowliness of this valley, from that harbor of quietness and tranquility 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, a most diligent keeper, this vineyard which thy right hand planted with so much labor, 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 for 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 our guide, we may safely come to the port of eternal bliss.