Msgr. Philip Reilly Pro-Life Pioneer
THANK YOU HELPERS!
It was so edifying to see you all at Msgr.'s Wake and Funeral Mass. The homilies were amazing, the grace so powerful, and the Marian hymns were out of this world. For those who could not attend, now that Msgr is with Jesus, simply pray to him and he will be present to you and your loved ones! Please leave testimonials and/or photos in the chat at the bottom of this page.
Viewing and Funeral Arrangements
Viewing
Sunday, Dec 8th, 2024 from 4 pm -6 pm
Immaculate Conception Center 7200 Douglaston parkway Queens NY
Vigil Mass 7pm
Funeral Mass Dec 9th Monday 11am
Immaculate Conception Center 7200 Douglaston Parkway Queens NY
Burial after Mass St. John’s cemetery
Middle Village in Queens
New York
Unsung hero Rest in Peace, Msgr. Philip J. Reilly.
Monsignor Reilly was my teacher at Cathedral. In 1986 he hired me to teach English and Latin. One Friday afternoon in October of 1987, after locking up the building following open gym, a woman was banging on the front door. She asked to see FR. PHIL. I explained that he was gone for the weekend. She held up her baby and told me, "This is my son Philip." "I named him after Fr. Phil. He helped me when nobody else could. He saved me, he saved my son. I wanted to introduce him to my son before moving." I will never forget that day. I do not know how many miracle children were saved by this saint. God Bless Monsignor Reilly and thank you for placing faith in me at age 22. - Louis D.
Msgr. Philip J. Reilly was an early inspiration, mentor, and teacher to me when I first got started in the pro-life movement. Margaret and I spent a day with him in Brooklyn in 2001, where he taught us everything we needed to get our local pro-life efforts in Texas up and running. Several years later, we brought him to Texas to lead sidewalk counseling training and vigils, and he was always incredibly encouraging and supportive. Without Msgr. Reilly and Helpers of God’s Precious Infants, there never would have been a 40 Days for Life. May God grant him eternal rest. Well done, good and faithful servant!
-David Beriet Founder 40 Days For Life
We Want To Be Taught! We Want To Teach!
Msgr. Reilly had a phrase he said often, "The pulpit is the world's largest media outlet!" It was from this notion that he developed and fleshed out an incredible idea for which he made a very strong case. It is called a Catechetical Lectionary and the movement is called "We Want To Be Taught!" He presented this idea to both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. Pope Benedict and Cardinal Raymond Burke, amongst many others, fully supported "We Want To Be Taught!". The Catechetical Lectionary is a lectionary used at Mass which contains the Catechism, the Compendium & Holy Scripture. Priests would preach homilies based directly on Church teaching! The Catechism is literally shared in 3 years! Click below to learn more and sign the petition!
Moments in time
About Msgr. Reilly
About Msgr. Philip J. Reilly
Msgr. Reilly holds a degree in Philosophy from Cathedral College, a degree in Theology from the Catholic University of America, D.C., a Masters in the Classics from Fordham University, N.Y.C., and an Honorary Doctor of Science from the School of Medicine of Tinava State University in Slovakia, has served the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, as Parish Priest for 5 years, and for 26 years at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary as Seminary Professor, Prefect of Discipline, Academic Dean, Basketball & Chess Coach and Rector and for 30+ years as Spiritual Chaplain to the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood at Precious Blood Monastery. During this time, Msgr. has been involved in many programs such as the setting up of educational programs to insure minority leadership, The Father Troike leadership Program; establishing groups to provide help and guidance for widows and widowers; beginning and coordinating a Diocesan wide Natural Family Planning program for engaged and married couples; working with various agencies to alleviate world hunger. However, the overriding issue for the past 60+ years has been the defence of the Sanctity of Life. For more on Msgr. Reilly please visit the Official Helper's Facebook page.
About Msgr. Philip J. Reilly
Msgr. Reilly holds a degree in Philosophy from Cathedral College, a degree in Theology from the Catholic University of America, D.C., a Masters in the Classics from Fordham University, N.Y.C., and an Honorary Doctor of Science from the School of Medicine of Tinava State University in Slovakia, has served the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York, as Parish Priest for 5 years, and for 26 years at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary as Seminary Professor, Prefect of Discipline, Academic Dean, Basketball & Chess Coach and Rector and for 30+ years as Spiritual Chaplain to the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood at Precious Blood Monastery. During this time, Msgr. has been involved in many programs such as the setting up of educational programs to insure minority leadership, The Father Troike leadership Program; establishing groups to provide help and guidance for widows and widowers; beginning and coordinating a Diocesan wide Natural Family Planning program for engaged and married couples; working with various agencies to alleviate world hunger. However, the overriding issue for the past 60+ years has been the defence of the Sanctity of Life. For more on Msgr. Reilly please visit the Official Helper's Facebook page.
The Priest on the Streets
Unsung hero, not a celebrity priest, seemingly always in the background but spread the Helpers to six continents as he went out to the streets to bring wayward children back to God. There's a reason so many called him a "living saint" and their "spiritual father". He was this and more.
Many genuinely look to Msgr Reilly as their spiritual father because he cared greatly about the person he was talking to. He made the presence of God palatable.In his presence anxieties melted, fears vanished, and you left emboldened with hope, joy and a holy energy to do God's will, and His will alone.
For many years he battled with cancer most-likely contracted from countless hours under the sun doing sidewalk counseling, helping young mothers keep their babies.Towards the end of his life they had to just about fully remove his nose... a sign that he literally gave his body up for God's children. Reminds me of how Jesus gave His body up upon the Cross in the greatest gift to humanity.
Always Joyful, Mission-Minded
"We go for the conversion of hearts."
"We don't get overly-emotional."
"We go to help the mothers."
"Mom, here's a Rosary for you."
"Always remain prayerful."
"Always have a sense of humor."
"The sky's the limit if it doesn't
matter who gets the credit."
"And... we keep going."
"They're suing me for $49,000,000, why that's
half my retirement fund!"
Testimonies about Msgr. Philip Reilly
"And we keep going..."
Msgr. Philip J. Reilly spent his entire life for souls, moms, babies, dads, students…just as Jesus did.
One of my favorite expressions of his was, “And…. we keep going.” He would always say it in his joyful, whimsical, almost whispered tone.
For years he stood under that hot sun, on the sidewalk counseling moms. His sister would always get mad when he forgot his hat. His skin was pale, Irish you know.
Towards the end of his life cancer had eaten away his nose and his head and ears were riddled with dots of cancer, for years.
Today he succumbed and entered eternal life. God rest Msgr’s soul! Amen.
Praise God for Msgr. Reilly!
This unsung hero of the pro-life movement has gone to his eternal reward. Founder of “Helper of God’s Precious Infants,” Msgr. saved tens of thousands of babies in his compassionate method of sidewalk counseling for decades in Brooklyn. His evangelization spread throughout the world. In NYC, he taught the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (and me) all of his ways, mostly interior. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace." - Fr. David Nix
Praise GOD for Msgr. Reilly, and for the privilege of meeting him and learning from him. Eternal rest grant onto him, O LORD, and let a perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. - Kathy K
Prayers for his eternal repose, and for all who loved him.
Requiescat In Pace. -Rosalie B.
I’m so blessed to have known him, and I’ll carry his memory with me in carrying his mission forward. May he rest in peace. -Jennifer D
Living Saint indeed and a spiritual Father to me and many here in Australia and around the world. May he Rest In Peace -Paul H.
I was blessed to attend a sidewalk counseling session he led in Dallas. He was likely the most effective sidewalk counselor in the world. He’d begin, “May I give you the gift of a rosary?” Or “This is for you mum.”
And then there were his stories of angel encounters. -Paul R.
His deep faith and guidance
Msgr. Reilly helped train a friend and myself on sidewalk counseling and helped us bring the the wonderful work of Helpers of God's Precious Infants to Sacramento at the time the first 40 Days for Life was taking place there. His deep spiritual faith and guidance brought the beginning of every 40 Days for Life starting with a Mass and emphasis on the Rosary as well as ministering to the people we met on the sidewalks about God's abundant love for them. Eternal rest grant unto him, oh Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in God's never failing love, peace, joy and mercy. In the Holy Name of Jesus, Amen. Jan E.
All things to all people
My wife and I had the honor and privilege of visiting Msgr Reilly and Sister Precious for over 10 years, sometimes on a monthly basis. Msgr. once told me that as a priest he realized that God had called him to take care of families. Some may think of a priest who is "focused on God", holed up in church and doesn't have time for families. But Msgr. always had time for you and he really loved and listened to you. When you were in his presence your worries melted away and you felt you were in the presence of God Himself. As I walked through the halls of the Monastery of the Precious Blood in Brooklyn, NY, I felt as if I was in Heaven. Such peace, not a care in the world and very, very welcomed and loved. You felt that all things were possible and that God would see you through anything! We do not take those days for granted. We are happy to build this memorial site for him in his great honor. We miss you!-Craig and Wenqi G.
Always Welcoming
The Table is Set!
When you went to the Monastery of the Precious Blood in Brooklyn, NY Msgr. Reilly and Sister Precious always welcomed you!
Their table is set...in Heaven! Holy saints, pray for us!
Helpers of God's Precious Infants
