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Download Community of Saint John Cebu Newsletter 2nd Issue
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Biography of Father Marie-Dominique Philippe, O.P. 
Father Marie-Dominique Philippe was born on September 8, 1912 in Cysoing, France, the eighth of twelve children of a family which gave the Church three Dominicans and four contemplative nuns.After having completed his high school education with the Jesuits of Lille, he entered the Order of Saint Dominic in November, 1930, at Amiens, pronounced his religious vows in November, 1931, and pursued his studies in philosophy and theology at the Saulchoir of Kain (Belgium) from 1931 to 1938. He was ordained a priest in July, 1936. First having graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, followed by a “lectorat” on Wisdom according to Aristotle, he then obtained his doctorate in theology. Graduated in “Hautes-Etudes” (in Paris) as well, he taught philosophy and theology at the Saulchoir of Etiolles (the Dominican house of studies, Province of Paris) from 1939 to 1945, and from 1951 to 1962. He was also a professor of philosophy at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) from 1945 to 1982. Early on in his studies, Father Philippe felt the need to renew philosophical and theological teaching. In order to do this, it was necessary to return to their respective sources: the experience, according the perspective of Aristotle, and contemplative faith, following Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint John. These writings were profoundly significant for him and he referred to them unceasingly. His research of truth orders itself in accordance with the three wisdoms: philosophical wisdom, theological wisdom and mystical wisdom. In addition to his teaching, Father “Marie-Do” gave conferences in philosophy and theology, especially in France and Switzerland, to very diverse audiences (secretaries of Christian trade organizations, business executives, psychoanalysts, doctors, Catholic Family Associations, charismatic renewal groups, artists, etc.). He preached in many convents (notably to Carmelite, Benedictine, Dominican nuns and the monastic Family of Bethlehem), to various Foyers of Charity in France, primarily at Châteauneuf-de-Galaure close to Martha Robin (the annual priestly retreat for 17 years, and numerous retreats for the Foyer members), and in Senegal, in Togo, in Rwanda, etc., and to youth groups. In 1949, Father Philippe had began to write numerous works in philosophy and spiritual theology, some of which have been translated in different languages. Today these total more than 35 published works, not counting the large number of articles. They cover a vast field of study and interest: philosophy of art, reflections on mathematics and medicine, metaphysical studies, commentaries on the Gospel of Saint John, writings on the mystery of Christ and on the Virgin Mary, books on the family, etc. (see the list of his publications). At Fribourg in 1975, at the request of some French students, he founded the Community of the Brothers of Saint John, while himself remaining a Dominican. A few years later, he founded the Community of the contemplative Sisters, and then the apostolic Sisters. These three communities have been joined by numerous lay persons, the Oblates of Saint John, together forming a new spiritual family in the Church: the Family of Saint John. Upon his return to France in 1982, continuing his varied apostolate, he mainly devoted himself to the teaching of philosophy and theology in the formation houses of the Brothers of Saint John in Rimont and in Saint Jodard. As Founder and General Prior he led the new community which rapidly experienced a growth and a considerable international expansion . From 1974, a profound friendship tied him to Karol Wojtyla. Through letters and numerous meetings, John Paul II did not cease to encourage him in his philosophical research and in his responsibility as regards the brothers and sisters of the Family of Saint John. In 2001, the position as General Prior was handed over to Father Jean-Pierre-Marie, with Father Philippe remaining as Founder for the Brothers and Sisters. He continued tirelessly to pass on to them the fruit of his philosophical and theological research through his conferences and retreats, and to publish works in spiritual theology and philosophy, notably Retour à la Source (vol. 1, Paris: Fayard, 2005), being his philosophical reflection on the human person. On June 30, 2006, he celebrated his 70th anniversary of priestly ordination in Ars, France. The following day, Cardinal Franc Rodé, Prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life, who was present for the ordinations of the Brothers of Saint John, paid Father a moving tribute. A few weeks later, due to a cerebral vascular accident, Father Philippe lost the ability to speak. He remained in a profound silence, serenely awaiting the encounter with the One whom he so greatly desired to know and to make known. He died the 26th of August 2006 surrounded by his many sons and daughters, to whom he leaves the luminous heritage of a life entirely devoted to the service of man and of Christ. |