Saint Philip Neri
Priest
- Feast Day
- May 26
- Life
- 1515–1595
- Canonized
- 1622
- Order
- Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians)
- Born
- Florence, Italy
Saint Philip Neri was born at Florence on July 21, 1515. After a brief stay in San Germano (Cassino) with relatives, he came to Rome about 1533, where he lived simply for many years as a lay tutor and apostle to the poor and the sick. With Persiano Rosa as confessor, he experienced a profound charismatic gift on the eve of Pentecost in 1544, traditionally described as a flame of love that physically enlarged his heart, a phenomenon confirmed at his autopsy.
Ordained priest in 1551, he settled at the church of San Girolamo della Carita and gathered around him in informal afternoon meetings of prayer, scripture, and music a community that became, in 1575, the Congregation of the Oratory, formally approved by Pope Gregory XIII. The Oratorians, secular priests living in community without vows, gave their name to the musical form of the oratorio that grew from their devotional gatherings.
Philip's spirituality was marked by joy, freedom of spirit, and a sharp sense of humor used to puncture pride. Cardinal Cesare Baronio, the great Church historian, was his disciple and successor. Pope Saint John Paul II called Philip the Apostle of Rome.
Philip died at Rome on the night of May 25-26, 1595. Pope Gregory XV canonized him on March 12, 1622, in the same ceremony with Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, and Isidore the Farmer. The Memorial is observed on May 26.
Philip is the patron of Christian joy, embodying the Pauline injunction Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Philippians 4:4). His method, oratory in the original sense of conversation about God, has shaped Catholic catechesis and pastoral care, particularly through Saint John Henry Newman, who introduced the Oratorians to England.
Patronages
Rome · joy · U.S. Special Forces (informal) · the Congregation of the Oratory
Catholic Churches Named After Saint Philip Neri
20 parishes on Catholic Church Times share Saint Philip Neri's name. Find their Mass times, confession schedules, and adoration hours:
- Our Lady of Mercy and Saint Philip Neri, Melbourne — Derby, ENG
- St Philip Neri Parish — Toledo, ON
- Saint Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church — Chicago, IL
- St. Philip Neri — Pelly, SK
- The Oratory of Saint Philip Neri — Rock Hill, SC
- St. Philip Neri — Pennsburg, PA
- St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church — Philadelphia, PA
- St. Philip Neri — Hanoverton, OH
- Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church — Cleveland, OH
- Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church — Hawthorne, FL
- St. Philip Neri — Reed City, MI
- St. Philip Neri — Westport, NY
- St. Philip Neri — Napoleon, ND
- St. Philip Neri Catholic Church — Empire, MI
- St. Philip Neri — Metairie, LA
- Saint Philip Neri Catholic Church — Metairie, LA
- St Philip Neri Church — Whitemarsh Township, PA
- St. Philip Neri — Miami Gardens, FL
- St. Philip Neri Church — Houston, TX
- St. Philip Neri University Parish — Tulsa, OK
Sources