St Philip Romolo Neri was also known as Amabile Santo or Apostle of Rome. He was an Italian priest born on July 22 1515 in Florence, Italy.
He was renowned for founding the Congregation of the Oratory which was a society of secular clergy.
He died on May 26 1595 at the age of 79 in Rome, Papal States.
His feast day is celebrated on May 26 every year in the Catholic Church and Church of England.
| Saint Philip Neri Biography | |
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| Date of Birth | July 21 1515 |
| Place of Birth | Florence, Italy |
| Profession | Italian priest and founder of the society of secular clergy called the Congregation of the Oratory. |
| Place of Work | Rome, Italy |
| Date of Death | May 25 1595 (aged 79) |
| Place of Death | Rome, Papal States |
| Feast Day | May 26 |
| Beatification | By Pope Paul V on May 11 1615 |
| Canonization | By Pope Gregory XV on March 12 1622 |
| Patron Saint of |
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Saint Philip Neri’s Life History
The father of Philip Romolo Neri was Francesco di Neri, and his mother was Lucrezia da Mosciano. Philip had a brother who died in childhood, and two sisters, Caterina and Elisabetta.
When he was 18 years old, Philip Neri was sent to his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant to assist him in his business, and with the hope that he might inherit his uncle’s fortune.
Fortunately or unfortunately, while at his uncle’s place, he had a religious conversion such that he cared no more for worldly things and therefore decided in 1533, to live in Rome.
When he arrived in Rome, he became a tutor in the house of Galeotto Caccia but after two years, under the guidance of the Augustinians, he pursued his own studies for three years
After his studies, he began to work amongst the sick, poor, and prostitutes of the city. This helped him get the title of “Apostle of Rome”.
Saint Philip Neri lived as a layman in Rome for seventeen years without even thinking of becoming a priest. But about 1544, he met Ignatius of Loyola.
Philip, together with Persiano Rossa founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents in 1548.
Their objective was to care for the thousands of poor pilgrims who visited Rome, especially in jubilee years. Also, they would care for the patients who, after being discharged from hospitals, would be too weak to fend for themselves.
Philip received all the minor orders and was ordained deacon and finally priest on May 23 1551. Neri started the tradition of making a one-day pilgrimage to seven churches in 1553.
He would start from St. Peter’s Basilica and end at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Together with a few friends, he would gather before the break of dawn and begin their “Seven Churches Walk”.
Fr. Philip Neri was posted to a small parish Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella in the middle of Rome. Immediately after he started working there, Philip started a community of secular priests, called the Congregation of the Oratory.
Philip a shrewd wit and a playful sense of humour. He often said that a cheerful temper was more Christian than a melancholy one.
It is said that when Father Neri heard confessions, he could tell the penitents their sins even before they confessed.
After spending the day hearing confessions and receiving visitors, St. Philip Neri died on the evening of May 25 1595 during the Feast of Corpus Christi.
St. Philip Neri Birth
He was born on July 22 1515 in Florence, Italy
St. Philip Neri Death
After spending the day hearing confessions and receiving visitors, St. Philip Neri died on May 26 1595 at the age of 79 after the Feast of Corpus Christi.
Beatification
St. Philip Neri was beatified by Pope Paul V on May 11 1615
Canonization
St. Philip Neri was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12 1622
St. Philip Neri Feast Day
His feast day is celebrated on May 26 every year in the Catholic Church and Church of England.
Veneration
St. Philip Neri is venerated in the Catholic Church and Church of England.
St. Philip Neri is the Patron Saint of
- Venice, Italy
- United States Army Special Forces
- Rome, Italy
- Piczon Vill
- Mandaluyong, Philippines
- Laughter
- Joy
- Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest
- Humour
- Gravina, Italy
- Catbalogan, Philippines
- Candida, Italy
- Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
Today’s Catholic Quote:
A cheerful temper is more Christian than a melancholy one.
St Philip Neri
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