On 26th May, we celebrate the memoria of St Philip Neri (1515–1595). Find out more about the founder of the Oratory below.
St Philip Neri was born in Florence, Italy, on the 21st July 1515. He went to Rome as a young man and remained there until his death. When he arrived in Rome he was disheartened at the moral and spiritual negligence of the clergy and laity and devoted his life to God as a layperson to rectify this. Through the encouragement of his Confessor he began to study for the priesthood and was ordained a priest at the age of 46 in 1561.
He formed the religious institute that became known as the Oratory where priests and laypeople would meet daily in the afternoons for prayer, hymns and talks. St Philip’s advice was sought by many in Rome including many influential people in the church and society. He was a man of holiness and piety, charity and wit.
St Philip wanted people to become more human through their striving to be holy and not less human. He died in Rome on the 26th of May 1595 and was canonised on the 12th of May 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.
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