05/25/2026
St. Philip Neri was born into a noble family and quickly developed a religious disposition. His father sent him to live with his uncle, a merchant, hoping that Philip would inherit his business and fortune. However, he had a conversion experience and, although he had won his uncle’s affection, left for Rome. He became a tutor and studied hard, but he also began ministering to many needy people in Rome, thus being given the title “Apostle of Rome.”
Although he had made friends with many of the Jesuits in Rome, Philip and his confessor, Persiano Rossa, founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents. Their mission was to minister to the many pilgrims who came to the city, especially in the Jubilee years, and those who were still recovering after hospital stays. The group prayed together and introduced forty hours of devotion to the city and world. Soon, this group was known for their prayer meetings and was called “The Oratory” after the place where they met. Philip and the oratorians would also lead pilgrimages around the churches in Rome. The tradition of the seven-church tour was begun by St. Philip Neri.
As his community grew and expanded to other ministries and parishes, it was decided that the community would need formal recognition from Rome, which happened in 1575. He was very humble and reluctant to take on leadership roles in the community, but he was often forced into them. When he died in 1595, the entire city mourned his passing. His work in the community had greatly affected the people of Rome, and his community was an example of the Counter-Reformation for the world. Today, the Oratory continues the work of this outgoing and humble saint.
Feast Day: May 26th
Patron of Rome, US Special Forces, laughter, humor, and joy
His relic can be found in the Main Altar, on the bottom right, number 174
St. Philip Neri, Pray for Us!
https://www.mariasteinshrine.org/
