06/01/2026
This week we spotlight St. Philip Neri. Philip was born in Florence, Italy, on July 21, 1515. He was known for being cheerful and obedient even as a child. He was taught by the friars at the Dominican monastery, San Marco, in Florence.
At age 18, he went to live with a wealthy family member in San Germano, presumably to inherit the family business, but soon after he got there, he received a mystical vision from God. He later referred to this as his Christian conversion; it dramatically changed his life. He felt a call to renounce property and wealth and instead live for and serve Jesus Christ and His Church.
He moved to Rome and became a live-in tutor for a fellow Florentine family. The two boys under his tutelage improved greatly, proving Philip’s talent of bringing out the best in people through impactful relationships. He then spent two years practicing ascetics, eating very small meals of bread and water with a few vegetables and dedicating most of his time to prayer. After that, he spent three years studying theology and philosophy at the Sapienza and St. Augustine’s monastery but discerned out of priesthood. He instead set out to help the poor of Rome and re-evangelize the city.
Philip frequented street corners and public squares, striking up conversations and leading listeners to consider a new and better way of life following Christ. People gravitated toward his warm personality and great sense of humor. He encouraged fellowship among the people, calling them to gather for discussion, studies, prayer, and music. He was known to ask, “Well, brothers, when shall we begin to do good?”
In 1548, Philip founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity, a confraternity for poor laymen to meet for spiritual exercises and service of the poor. His amicable nature won him over friends from all walks of life, including Sts. Ignatius of Loyola, Pius V, and Charles Borromeo.
At 34 years old, his confessor, Fr. Persiano Rossa, thought Philip could do so much more if he became a priest and implored Philip to be ordained. Philip was convinced and was ordained to the diaconate and then to priesthood on May 23, 1551. He joined Fr. Rossa at San Girolamo and continued his mission through the confessional. Philip spent hours every day listening to people’s confessions, sometimes going into informal discussions for those who really wanted to live a better life.
Philip began to attract pilgrims and other priests wanting to help in his mission. A large room was built above the church in San Girolamo to accommodate them. Philip and the priests were soon called “Oratorians” because they would ring a bell and call the faithful to their “oratory”. A few years later, the Congregation of the Priests of the Oratory was founded. Philip’s rule for the Oratorians was to share a common table and perform spiritual exercises. They were not bound by a vow or called to denounce their property, though.
Philip continued evangelizing Rome, hearing confessions, and developing friendships from the poorest of the poor to powerful popes, kings, and cardinals. He called for a reformation of the Church and worked toward that through gentleness and friendship. Philip earned the title “Apostle of Rome” due to his dedication to the lay people of Rome.
On the feast of Corpus Christi, May 25, 1595, Philip was in seriously bad health. For the remainder of the day, he listened to confessions and saw visitors as normal. Before heading to bed, Philip stated, “Last of all, we must die”. Around midnight, Philip passed.
St. Philip Neri is the patron saint of Rome, U.S. special forces, humor, and joy. His feast day is May 26. May we learn from St. Philip’s example and reach out in love and good humor to call others to conversion. St. Philip Neri, pray for us!
