Hymn to Saint Philip Neri

Alessandro Algardi, (July 31, 1598 – June 10, 1654)
Statue of San Filipo Neri
1636-38
Marble, height c. 300 cm
Santa Maria Vallicella, Rome / Oratorio dei Filippini, Rome

Hymn to Saint Philip Neri 

This is the Saint of gentleness and kindness,
Cheerful in penance, and in precept winning;
Patiently healing of their pride and blindness
Souls that are sinning. 

This is the Saint, who, when the world allures us,
Cries her false wares, and opes her magic coffers,
Points to a better city, and secures us
With richer offers. 

Love is his bond, he knows no other fetter,
Asks not our all, but takes whate’er we spare him,
Willing to draw us on from good to better,
As we can bear him. 

When he comes near to teach us and to bless us,
Prayer is so sweet, that hours are but a minute;
Mirth is so pure, though freely it possess us,
Sin is not in it. 

Thus he conducts by holy paths and pleasant
Innocent souls and sinful souls forgiven
Towards the bright palace where our God is present
Throned in high heaven.

Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman