5 December
Blessed PHILIP RINALDI, priest,
Founder of the Secular Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers
Born in 1856 at Lu Monferrato, Italy, Philip Rinaldi was won over by Don Bosco at the age of 21. After priestly ordination, he was given the task of the formation of aspirants and novices. In 1889 Don Rua sent him as Rector to Sarria., Spain; subsequently he became provincial and played a decisive part in the development of Salesian Spain. Appointed Vicar General of the Congregation, he showed still more clearly his fatherly qualities and fertile initiative, which included the following achievements: the care of vocations; the setting up of centres for the spiritual and social assistance of working girls; the guidance and support of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at a sensitive moment in their history. His enthusiasm proved a great incentive to the Cooperators; he set up the world federations of the past-pupils, both men and women. Working among the Devotees of Mary Help of Christians, he envisaged a new form of consecrated life in the world and followed up this idea, eventually setting up the flourishing Secular Institute of the Don Bosco Volunteers.
Elected Rector Major in 1922, he made every effort to adapt Don Bosco's spirit to the times. A keen student of everything Salesian and a master of the spiritual life, he revitalized the interior life of the Salesians, encouraging them to develop absolute confidence in God and limitless trust in Mary Help of Christians; he obtained from Pius XI the indulgence of sanctified work: he gave special attention to the missions, sending out missionaries while still very young, so that they could learn the local language and customs and thus become more effective evangelizers. He died on 5 December 1931, and was beatified by John Paul II on 29 April 1990.
The texts of the Mass are an invitation to recognize the work of the Father of infinite goodness (Coll.) who has reproduced in every person the likeness of the new creature, made in justice and holiness of life (Offertory). In Don Rinaldi this image is particularly brilliant: he is a shining gospel example of joyful self-giving (Coll.).
The assembly, in celebrating the memorial of Christ's Passover, sings an unending hymn of praise, since in his life and work the Beatus is seen as a shepherd after the heart of God (Entry ant.): a shepherd who invites us to bear in ourselves the mark of the crucified and risen Christ (After comm.).
In recognizing the apostolic zeal of Don Rinaldi, his innovative and enlightened initiative (Coll.) and fatherly kindness, the faithful, in the awareness that they receive the strength of the Spirit of God in their reception of the sacraments (After comm.), ask to be made worthy to offer the sacrifice of praise (Offertory). They thus invoke the divine help so that by daily fidelity to their work (Coll.), they may be given the strength: — to bring to its fullness the Father's project of love (Coll.);-- to be renewed in spirit (Offertory); — and to seek God above all things (After comm.).
ENTRANCE ANTIPHONJer 3,15
I shall give you shepherds after my own heart, who will pasture you wisely and discreetly.
Or:Ps 34, 12.6a
Come, children, and hear me;
that I may teach you the fear of the Lord. Look towards him and be radiant.
OPENING PRAYER
Father, in your infinite goodness
you have made Blessed Philip Rinaldi
a shining gospel example of joyful self-giving;
may we follow the inspiration of his apostolic initiative,
and by daily fidelity to our work,
bring to its fullness your project of love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Readings from the ferial lectionary, or: 1st Reading: Phil 1,3-11; or 1 Cor 2,1-16 Gospel: Jn 15,1-8; or Jn 15,9-17
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
God of all mercy,
you transformed Blessed Philip Rinaldi
and made him a new creature in your image.
Renew us in the same way
by making our gifts of peace acceptable to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
PREFACE
If this Mass is celebrated outside Advent, the alternative Preface is said. The two comings of Christ.
V. The Lord be with you. g. And also with you.
V. Lift up your hearts.
g. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. t. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You have concealed from us the day and hour
when Christ your Son,
the Lord and judge of all human kind,
will appear in power and splendour
on the clouds of heaven.
On that great and glorious day the present world will pass away
and be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth.
Now he comes to us
at all times and in every person,
so that we may welcome him in-faith
and bear witness in love
to the joyous hope of his kingdom.
And so as we await his final coming, we join with the angels and saints in singing to your glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosannah in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosannah in the highest.
ALTERNATIVE PREFACE (for use outside Advent) The sign of a life consecrated to God
V. The Lord be with you g. And also with you.
V. Lift up your hearts.
g. We lift them up to the Lord.
V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. I. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
Today we honour your saints who consecrated their lives to Christ
for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.
•
What love you show us
as you recall mankind to its first innocence, and invite us to taste on earth the gifts of the world to come!
Now, with the saints and all the angels we praise you for ever:
as we sing together the hymn of your glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosarmah in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosarmah in the highest.
COMMUNION ANTIPHONJn 15,10.11
If you observe my commandments my joy will be in you
and your joy will be full, says the Lord.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
All-powerful God,
may we who are strengthened by the power of this sacrament
learn from the example of Blessed Philip Rinaldi
to seek you above all things
and to live in this world as your new creation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Blessed PHILIP RINALDI
God has raised up in the Salesian Family models of holiness, the result of the manifold activity of the Spirit, the Paraclete, and the charisma of the Founder. With joy and thanksgiving let us confidently make our prayer to our heavenly Father.
V-. Guide us, Lord, in the way of holiness.
For the Church, the People of God: that with pure and sinless faith they may recognize and welcome the Lord in the widely differing practical situations of life and history, we pray to the Lord.
For the superiors of religious families now flourishing in the Church: that in fidelity to the Gospel and the charisma of their Founder, they may form their communities into living signs of Christ's love and welcoming havens for the People of God, We pray to the Lord.
For the Salesian Congregation: that, following the example of Blessed Philip Rinaldi, it may develop ever further its apostolic initiative, so as to respond to the needs arising in the life of the Church and society of today, we pray to the Lord.
For the Don Bosco Volunteers: that they may be faithful to their daily duties, and so preserve the spirit of Blessed Philip Rinaldi, their Founder, we pray to the Lord.
For us taking part in this eucharist: that, renewed in the Spirit, we may always work with the kindness and simplicity of heart that will reflect the fatherliness of God, we pray to the Lord.
Other intentions.
Good and merciful Father, you renew the Church through the holiness of your children; hear our prayers that, with the strength the Spirit gives, we may accept an proclaim your word that calls us to be holy as you are holy. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
