St. Philip Neri

ST. PHILIP NERI PENDANT

One of most popular of the saints is St. Philip Neri, who was known in his boyhood days as “Pippo Buono” (good little Phil). Saint Philip Neri He was born in Florence, Italy, in 1515. At the age of eighteen he was sent to a childless, wealthy relative in the expectation that he would become his heir.

St. Philip Neri was a Catholic priest and religious figure in 16th-century Rome. He is known for his holiness, his sense of humor, and his devotion to the laity. He is the founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of priests dedicated to living a communal life of prayer, study, and service to the poor.

Philip was born in Florence, Italy in 1515. His family was well-to-do, but he did not have a vocation to the priesthood at a young age. Instead, he studied philosophy and law at the University of Pisa. After completing his studies, he moved to Rome, where he worked as a tutor and spiritual guide for several noble families.

In 1533, Philip experienced a profound spiritual conversion, which led him to dedicate his life to God. He began to study theology and was ordained a priest in 1551. He also began to gather a group of laymen around him, who were drawn to his spiritual wisdom and guidance. This group eventually became the Congregation of the Oratory.

Philip had a particular devotion to the Eucharist, and he would spend hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. He also had a great love for the poor and would often spend his evenings visiting the hospitals and prisons of Rome to bring them comfort. He was known for his sense of humor, and would often use jokes and anecdotes to illustrate spiritual truths.

Philip’s reputation for holiness spread quickly and he became known as the “”Apostle of Rome.”” He was sought out by people from all walks of life, including many prominent figures in the Church and the secular world. He was a close friend of St. Charles Borromeo and St. Ignatius of Loyola, and was a spiritual advisor to many of the popes of his time.

In addition to his work with the Oratory, Philip also founded several other institutions, including a hospital for the poor and a school for boys. He also helped to promote the devotion to the Infant Jesus of Prague, which is still popular today. He died on May 25, 1595 and was canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622.

Philip Neri’s legacy has lived on through the Congregation of the Oratory, which he founded and continues to this day, with many Oratories worldwide. The spiritual exercises that he developed for the Oratory are still used today as a means of personal spiritual growth.

Philip is often remembered for his joy and humility, his devotion to the poor, and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His feast day is celebrated on May 26th by the Catholic Church and he is considered to be one of the great saints of the Catholic Church.

St. Philip Neri Spreads the Good News

Throughout his life, the Holy Spirit was tugging at his heart, telling him he was made for higher things. Soon he left for Rome, without money and without plans. He lived in a bare, unfurnished room. He spent countless long hours in prayer, after which a “street-corner” apostolate was inaugurated.

From the very beginning this apostolate consisted in engaging all sorts of people in conversation. A customary greeting was: “Well, brothers, when shall we begin to do good?”; a greeting which under the will of God was to bear fruit in so far that many did “begin to do good”- caring for the sick, aiding the poor and enlightening the uninstructed.

 

St. Philip Neri a priest that never rested

Directed by his confessor, Saint Philip studied for the priesthood, and was ordained May 23, 1551. Upon ordination, the flame in his soul was lashed into an all-consuming fire.

Granting himself no respite, he labored unceasingly for the salvation of souls; and so successfully that he earned the title “Apostle of Rome”. A small group of Priests was soon gathered, who desired to assist in this spiritual apostolate; thus was born the Congregation of the Oratory, which was approved in 1575.

St. Philip enjoyed many mystical experiences. God enriched him with gifts of prophecy, of insight into souls and other supernatural powers. He died May 26, 1595, and was beatified six years later, Canonization followed in 1623. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Philip Neri on May 26th.

 

Popular St. Philip Neri Medal and St. Philip Neri Rosary

Prayer to St. Philip Neri

St. Philip Neri,

You were a man of joy, spreading the Gospel with a smile and a twinkle in your eye. I ask for your intercession as I seek to share the love of Christ with those around me, always looking for ways to bring joy and light into the lives of others.

May your example inspire me to be a person of deep faith, joyful witness, and contagious joy in the Lord.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Philip Neri

Dear St. Philip Neri,

You were a man of prayer, constantly seeking to deepen your relationship with God. I ask for your intercession as I seek to deepen my own relationship with God, finding time for quiet prayer and contemplation each day.

May your example inspire me to be a person of deep prayer, passionate devotion, and unceasing communication with the Lord.

Amen.

Prayer to St. Philip Neri

O St. Philip Neri,

You were a man of charity, always looking for ways to serve others and to make a positive impact on the world. Help me to be like you, seeking opportunities to serve those in need, and to make a difference in the lives of others.

May your example inspire me to be a person of selfless service, humble compassion, and sacrificial love for others.

Amen

St. Philip Neri: Patron Saint of Joy and Humor

St. Philip Neri was an Italian priest who lived in the 16th century. He is widely recognized as the patron saint of joy and humor.

St. Philip Neri is considered the patron saint of joy because of his contagious and joyful spirit. Despite facing many challenges and hardships throughout his life, he always maintained a positive and optimistic outlook. He was known for his warm and engaging personality, and for his ability to make others feel at ease and happy in his presence.

In addition to his joyful spirit, St. Philip Neri was also known for his sense of humor. He used humor to spread the message of the gospel, and he believed that laughter was a powerful tool for evangelization. He often used jokes and stories to connect with others, and to bring joy and hope to those who were suffering.

St. Philip Neri is remembered for his joyful spirit and his use of humor as a tool for spreading the gospel. He is revered as a model of joy and optimism, and his intercession is sought for those in need of a more joyful disposition.

 

Reflection on the feast day of St. Philip Neri

The feast day of St. Philip Neri is May 26th.

On the feast day of St. Philip Neri, we remember and honor the life of a man who dedicated himself to serving God and spreading joy. He was a Catholic priest, a mystic and a founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, a community of priests living a simple and communal life without religious vows. He is often remembered for his sense of humor, his love for music and his devotion to the sacrament of the Eucharist.

St. Philip Neri’s joy and sense of humor were not superficial, but rather a reflection of the deep joy he found in his relationship with God. He believed that true joy comes from living a life of faith, and he sought to spread this joy to others through his words, actions and example. This is a powerful reminder that our faith should bring us joy and fulfillment, and that we should strive to share that joy with others.

St. Philip Neri was also a strong advocate of the power of prayer and contemplation. He believed that through prayer, we can deepen our relationship with God and come to a deeper understanding of His will for our lives. This is a reminder that our faith is not just about what we do, but also about who we are becoming as we grow closer to God.

St. Philip Neri lived a life of deep humility and simplicity, which is a powerful reminder that true greatness lies not in fame or wealth, but in humility, simplicity, and service to others. He never sought fame or recognition, but simply sought to serve God and help others.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. Philip Neri, let us remember his legacy and strive to emulate his example of joy, prayer, humility and service to others. By following in his footsteps, we can make a positive impact on the world and bring a little bit of light and love into the lives of those around us.

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Saints Similar to St. Philip Neri

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Charles Borromeo and the Biography of St. Ignatius of Loyola. St. Philip Neri, like St. Charles Borromeo and St. Ignatius of Loyola, was a prominent figure during the Counter-Reformation in Italy. They were known for their work in renewing the Catholic Church during this period. Next up: Biography of St. Philip the Apostle

 

Also check out our handmade St. Philip Neri Medal and St. Philip Neri Rosary and St. Philip Neri Rosary Bracelet .