Roman Catholic Saint, Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory.
When Philip was a teenager, his father sent him to become an apprentice with his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant at San Germano, a town near the base of Monte Cassino. Philip excelled in this role and was expected to inherit his uncle's business and fortune. However, after two years, Philip knew that this was not the future God intended for him. He bid his uncle farewell, and set off for Rome.
Soon after he arrived, a Florentine gentleman provided him with room and board in return for tutoring his two small sons. After two years, he began to pursue his own studies for a period of three years under the guidance of the Augustinians. He enrolled in philosophy and theology classes; soon he was considered one of the most distinguished and spiritually-edifying scholars in Rome.
Neri began visiting hospitals and preaching the Gospel to the poor of Rome while still a layman. He began the habit of visiting the 7 pilgrim churches of Rome each day. He later did this with his group of followers.
At the age of 29, as he was praying for an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the feast of Pentecost, there appeared to him a globe of fire, which entered through his mouth and lodged in his breast. He was surprised by such a fire of love and felt, by the side of his heart, a swelling about as big as a fist, but without the slightest pain. After his death, when his body was examined, it was found that Philip's heart had expanded so greatly with the love of God that two of his ribs had been broken and curved outwards. This phenomenon is know as the "transverberation of the heart."
His cheerfulness attracted many to him. Fifteen of his companions regularly meet with him for fellowship, religious exercises, and instruction. His community continued to grow and became a gathering place for pilgrims who visited Rome. Philip would receive the pilgrims and provide them with food, assistance, and lodging during their stay. This gathering place expanded into a rehabilitation house for the sick who had been discharged from the hospitals. This organization, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents, soon became famous throughout Rome. Many people of high position, even Popes, volunteered to serve there.
For seventeen years, Philip lived as a layman in Rome, probably without thinking of becoming a priest. Around 1544, he made the acquaintance of Ignatius of Loyola. Philip's confessor, Fr. Persiano Rossa, advised him that he would better serve the people he drew to himself if he were also able to provide them with the sacraments. After overcoming his reluctance, in obedience to his confessor, Philip was ordained a priest in 1551 at the age of 36. He thought of going to India as a missionary, but was dissuaded by his friends who saw that there was abundant work to be done in Rome.
His group grew tremendously and moved to a bigger location inside a church. He spent many hours in the confessional. His unusual methods of religious reform gained many supporters in the Vatican. In 1575, Pope Gregory XIII recognized Neri's group of priests as the Congregation of the Oratory, so named because they gathered in the Oratory of the San Girolamo della Carita Church in Rome. (The word "oratory" comes from the Latin verb "orare," to pray.)
It was here that Neri made his great contribution to the arts. He believed that the Bible would be more inspiring to the young and illiterate if parts were set to music. He engaged composers, including his friend Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, to create settings, and had them performed each day during services following his sermon. Because they were heard in Neri's Oratory, the settings came to be known as "Oratorios." Since then, many composers have written masterpieces in this form.
Fr. Neri, with his group of followers, continued his practice of visiting churches in Rome. In 1553, Neri started the tradition of making a one-day pilgrimage to seven churches. Neri drew up an itinerary that included visits to St. Peter's Basilica, then St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, St. Sebastian's, St. John Lateran, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, St. Lawrence-Outside-the Walls, and finally St. Mary Major. He and a few friends and acquaintances would gather before dawn and set out on their walk. At each church, there would be prayer, hymn singing, and a brief sermon by Neri. The street which links the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls with San Sebastiano is still called "Via delle Sette Chiese" (Seven Churches Walk). This is the origin of the "Seven Church Walk" on Holy Thursday.
As the community grew, the need for a church entirely its own made itself felt, and the small parish church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, conveniently situated in the middle of Rome, was offered and accepted. The building, however, not large enough for their purpose, was pulled down, and a splendid church erected on the site. Immediately after taking possession of their new quarters, Philip formally organized, with Papal permission, a community of secular priests, called the Congregation of the Oratory. The Chiesa Nuova ("New Church") in Rome was built for Neri, with much of the artwork by Peter Paul Rubens. The nave was completed in 1577, and the church was consecrated in 1599.
Philip revived the faith of the people of Rome with his lively and friendly manner, and encouraged them to frequent confession and Holy Communion. He is know as the Second Apostle of Rome, after St. Peter.
Philip Neri died in the early morning hours on May 26, 1595, after having spent the day hearing confessions and receiving visitors. His body is behind glass in a chapel to the left of the choir (at the left/front) of Chiesa Nuova. Designed in 1600, the first octagonal part of the chapel has a central vault painting of St. Philip by Roncalli, and an altarpiece of the Virgin Appearing to St. Philip Neri by Guido Reni (now a mosaic copy). Philip Neri was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1615 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. His feast day is observed on May 26. Neri is the Patron Saint of Rome, of the U. S. Army Special Forces, and of laughter and joy.
When Philip was a teenager, his father sent him to become an apprentice with his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant at San Germano, a town near the base of Monte Cassino. Philip excelled in this role and was expected to inherit his uncle's business and fortune. However, after two years, Philip knew that this was not the future God intended for him. He bid his uncle farewell, and set off for Rome.
Soon after he arrived, a Florentine gentleman provided him with room and board in return for tutoring his two small sons. After two years, he began to pursue his own studies for a period of three years under the guidance of the Augustinians. He enrolled in philosophy and theology classes; soon he was considered one of the most distinguished and spiritually-edifying scholars in Rome.
Neri began visiting hospitals and preaching the Gospel to the poor of Rome while still a layman. He began the habit of visiting the 7 pilgrim churches of Rome each day. He later did this with his group of followers.
At the age of 29, as he was praying for an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the feast of Pentecost, there appeared to him a globe of fire, which entered through his mouth and lodged in his breast. He was surprised by such a fire of love and felt, by the side of his heart, a swelling about as big as a fist, but without the slightest pain. After his death, when his body was examined, it was found that Philip's heart had expanded so greatly with the love of God that two of his ribs had been broken and curved outwards. This phenomenon is know as the "transverberation of the heart."
His cheerfulness attracted many to him. Fifteen of his companions regularly meet with him for fellowship, religious exercises, and instruction. His community continued to grow and became a gathering place for pilgrims who visited Rome. Philip would receive the pilgrims and provide them with food, assistance, and lodging during their stay. This gathering place expanded into a rehabilitation house for the sick who had been discharged from the hospitals. This organization, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents, soon became famous throughout Rome. Many people of high position, even Popes, volunteered to serve there.
For seventeen years, Philip lived as a layman in Rome, probably without thinking of becoming a priest. Around 1544, he made the acquaintance of Ignatius of Loyola. Philip's confessor, Fr. Persiano Rossa, advised him that he would better serve the people he drew to himself if he were also able to provide them with the sacraments. After overcoming his reluctance, in obedience to his confessor, Philip was ordained a priest in 1551 at the age of 36. He thought of going to India as a missionary, but was dissuaded by his friends who saw that there was abundant work to be done in Rome.
His group grew tremendously and moved to a bigger location inside a church. He spent many hours in the confessional. His unusual methods of religious reform gained many supporters in the Vatican. In 1575, Pope Gregory XIII recognized Neri's group of priests as the Congregation of the Oratory, so named because they gathered in the Oratory of the San Girolamo della Carita Church in Rome. (The word "oratory" comes from the Latin verb "orare," to pray.)
It was here that Neri made his great contribution to the arts. He believed that the Bible would be more inspiring to the young and illiterate if parts were set to music. He engaged composers, including his friend Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, to create settings, and had them performed each day during services following his sermon. Because they were heard in Neri's Oratory, the settings came to be known as "Oratorios." Since then, many composers have written masterpieces in this form.
Fr. Neri, with his group of followers, continued his practice of visiting churches in Rome. In 1553, Neri started the tradition of making a one-day pilgrimage to seven churches. Neri drew up an itinerary that included visits to St. Peter's Basilica, then St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, St. Sebastian's, St. John Lateran, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, St. Lawrence-Outside-the Walls, and finally St. Mary Major. He and a few friends and acquaintances would gather before dawn and set out on their walk. At each church, there would be prayer, hymn singing, and a brief sermon by Neri. The street which links the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls with San Sebastiano is still called "Via delle Sette Chiese" (Seven Churches Walk). This is the origin of the "Seven Church Walk" on Holy Thursday.
As the community grew, the need for a church entirely its own made itself felt, and the small parish church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, conveniently situated in the middle of Rome, was offered and accepted. The building, however, not large enough for their purpose, was pulled down, and a splendid church erected on the site. Immediately after taking possession of their new quarters, Philip formally organized, with Papal permission, a community of secular priests, called the Congregation of the Oratory. The Chiesa Nuova ("New Church") in Rome was built for Neri, with much of the artwork by Peter Paul Rubens. The nave was completed in 1577, and the church was consecrated in 1599.
Philip revived the faith of the people of Rome with his lively and friendly manner, and encouraged them to frequent confession and Holy Communion. He is know as the Second Apostle of Rome, after St. Peter.
Philip Neri died in the early morning hours on May 26, 1595, after having spent the day hearing confessions and receiving visitors. His body is behind glass in a chapel to the left of the choir (at the left/front) of Chiesa Nuova. Designed in 1600, the first octagonal part of the chapel has a central vault painting of St. Philip by Roncalli, and an altarpiece of the Virgin Appearing to St. Philip Neri by Guido Reni (now a mosaic copy). Philip Neri was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1615 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. His feast day is observed on May 26. Neri is the Patron Saint of Rome, of the U. S. Army Special Forces, and of laughter and joy.
Roman Catholic Saint, Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory.
When Philip was a teenager, his father sent him to become an apprentice with his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant at San Germano, a town near the base of Monte Cassino. Philip excelled in this role and was expected to inherit his uncle's business and fortune. However, after two years, Philip knew that this was not the future God intended for him. He bid his uncle farewell, and set off for Rome.
Soon after he arrived, a Florentine gentleman provided him with room and board in return for tutoring his two small sons. After two years, he began to pursue his own studies for a period of three years under the guidance of the Augustinians. He enrolled in philosophy and theology classes; soon he was considered one of the most distinguished and spiritually-edifying scholars in Rome.
Neri began visiting hospitals and preaching the Gospel to the poor of Rome while still a layman. He began the habit of visiting the 7 pilgrim churches of Rome each day. He later did this with his group of followers.
At the age of 29, as he was praying for an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the feast of Pentecost, there appeared to him a globe of fire, which entered through his mouth and lodged in his breast. He was surprised by such a fire of love and felt, by the side of his heart, a swelling about as big as a fist, but without the slightest pain. After his death, when his body was examined, it was found that Philip's heart had expanded so greatly with the love of God that two of his ribs had been broken and curved outwards. This phenomenon is know as the "transverberation of the heart."
His cheerfulness attracted many to him. Fifteen of his companions regularly meet with him for fellowship, religious exercises, and instruction. His community continued to grow and became a gathering place for pilgrims who visited Rome. Philip would receive the pilgrims and provide them with food, assistance, and lodging during their stay. This gathering place expanded into a rehabilitation house for the sick who had been discharged from the hospitals. This organization, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents, soon became famous throughout Rome. Many people of high position, even Popes, volunteered to serve there.
For seventeen years, Philip lived as a layman in Rome, probably without thinking of becoming a priest. Around 1544, he made the acquaintance of Ignatius of Loyola. Philip's confessor, Fr. Persiano Rossa, advised him that he would better serve the people he drew to himself if he were also able to provide them with the sacraments. After overcoming his reluctance, in obedience to his confessor, Philip was ordained a priest in 1551 at the age of 36. He thought of going to India as a missionary, but was dissuaded by his friends who saw that there was abundant work to be done in Rome.
His group grew tremendously and moved to a bigger location inside a church. He spent many hours in the confessional. His unusual methods of religious reform gained many supporters in the Vatican. In 1575, Pope Gregory XIII recognized Neri's group of priests as the Congregation of the Oratory, so named because they gathered in the Oratory of the San Girolamo della Carita Church in Rome. (The word "oratory" comes from the Latin verb "orare," to pray.)
It was here that Neri made his great contribution to the arts. He believed that the Bible would be more inspiring to the young and illiterate if parts were set to music. He engaged composers, including his friend Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, to create settings, and had them performed each day during services following his sermon. Because they were heard in Neri's Oratory, the settings came to be known as "Oratorios." Since then, many composers have written masterpieces in this form.
Fr. Neri, with his group of followers, continued his practice of visiting churches in Rome. In 1553, Neri started the tradition of making a one-day pilgrimage to seven churches. Neri drew up an itinerary that included visits to St. Peter's Basilica, then St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, St. Sebastian's, St. John Lateran, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, St. Lawrence-Outside-the Walls, and finally St. Mary Major. He and a few friends and acquaintances would gather before dawn and set out on their walk. At each church, there would be prayer, hymn singing, and a brief sermon by Neri. The street which links the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls with San Sebastiano is still called "Via delle Sette Chiese" (Seven Churches Walk). This is the origin of the "Seven Church Walk" on Holy Thursday.
As the community grew, the need for a church entirely its own made itself felt, and the small parish church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, conveniently situated in the middle of Rome, was offered and accepted. The building, however, not large enough for their purpose, was pulled down, and a splendid church erected on the site. Immediately after taking possession of their new quarters, Philip formally organized, with Papal permission, a community of secular priests, called the Congregation of the Oratory. The Chiesa Nuova ("New Church") in Rome was built for Neri, with much of the artwork by Peter Paul Rubens. The nave was completed in 1577, and the church was consecrated in 1599.
Philip revived the faith of the people of Rome with his lively and friendly manner, and encouraged them to frequent confession and Holy Communion. He is know as the Second Apostle of Rome, after St. Peter.
Philip Neri died in the early morning hours on May 26, 1595, after having spent the day hearing confessions and receiving visitors. His body is behind glass in a chapel to the left of the choir (at the left/front) of Chiesa Nuova. Designed in 1600, the first octagonal part of the chapel has a central vault painting of St. Philip by Roncalli, and an altarpiece of the Virgin Appearing to St. Philip Neri by Guido Reni (now a mosaic copy). Philip Neri was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1615 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. His feast day is observed on May 26. Neri is the Patron Saint of Rome, of the U. S. Army Special Forces, and of laughter and joy.
When Philip was a teenager, his father sent him to become an apprentice with his uncle, Romolo, a wealthy merchant at San Germano, a town near the base of Monte Cassino. Philip excelled in this role and was expected to inherit his uncle's business and fortune. However, after two years, Philip knew that this was not the future God intended for him. He bid his uncle farewell, and set off for Rome.
Soon after he arrived, a Florentine gentleman provided him with room and board in return for tutoring his two small sons. After two years, he began to pursue his own studies for a period of three years under the guidance of the Augustinians. He enrolled in philosophy and theology classes; soon he was considered one of the most distinguished and spiritually-edifying scholars in Rome.
Neri began visiting hospitals and preaching the Gospel to the poor of Rome while still a layman. He began the habit of visiting the 7 pilgrim churches of Rome each day. He later did this with his group of followers.
At the age of 29, as he was praying for an increase in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in preparation for the feast of Pentecost, there appeared to him a globe of fire, which entered through his mouth and lodged in his breast. He was surprised by such a fire of love and felt, by the side of his heart, a swelling about as big as a fist, but without the slightest pain. After his death, when his body was examined, it was found that Philip's heart had expanded so greatly with the love of God that two of his ribs had been broken and curved outwards. This phenomenon is know as the "transverberation of the heart."
His cheerfulness attracted many to him. Fifteen of his companions regularly meet with him for fellowship, religious exercises, and instruction. His community continued to grow and became a gathering place for pilgrims who visited Rome. Philip would receive the pilgrims and provide them with food, assistance, and lodging during their stay. This gathering place expanded into a rehabilitation house for the sick who had been discharged from the hospitals. This organization, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents, soon became famous throughout Rome. Many people of high position, even Popes, volunteered to serve there.
For seventeen years, Philip lived as a layman in Rome, probably without thinking of becoming a priest. Around 1544, he made the acquaintance of Ignatius of Loyola. Philip's confessor, Fr. Persiano Rossa, advised him that he would better serve the people he drew to himself if he were also able to provide them with the sacraments. After overcoming his reluctance, in obedience to his confessor, Philip was ordained a priest in 1551 at the age of 36. He thought of going to India as a missionary, but was dissuaded by his friends who saw that there was abundant work to be done in Rome.
His group grew tremendously and moved to a bigger location inside a church. He spent many hours in the confessional. His unusual methods of religious reform gained many supporters in the Vatican. In 1575, Pope Gregory XIII recognized Neri's group of priests as the Congregation of the Oratory, so named because they gathered in the Oratory of the San Girolamo della Carita Church in Rome. (The word "oratory" comes from the Latin verb "orare," to pray.)
It was here that Neri made his great contribution to the arts. He believed that the Bible would be more inspiring to the young and illiterate if parts were set to music. He engaged composers, including his friend Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, to create settings, and had them performed each day during services following his sermon. Because they were heard in Neri's Oratory, the settings came to be known as "Oratorios." Since then, many composers have written masterpieces in this form.
Fr. Neri, with his group of followers, continued his practice of visiting churches in Rome. In 1553, Neri started the tradition of making a one-day pilgrimage to seven churches. Neri drew up an itinerary that included visits to St. Peter's Basilica, then St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, St. Sebastian's, St. John Lateran, Holy Cross-in-Jerusalem, St. Lawrence-Outside-the Walls, and finally St. Mary Major. He and a few friends and acquaintances would gather before dawn and set out on their walk. At each church, there would be prayer, hymn singing, and a brief sermon by Neri. The street which links the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls with San Sebastiano is still called "Via delle Sette Chiese" (Seven Churches Walk). This is the origin of the "Seven Church Walk" on Holy Thursday.
As the community grew, the need for a church entirely its own made itself felt, and the small parish church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, conveniently situated in the middle of Rome, was offered and accepted. The building, however, not large enough for their purpose, was pulled down, and a splendid church erected on the site. Immediately after taking possession of their new quarters, Philip formally organized, with Papal permission, a community of secular priests, called the Congregation of the Oratory. The Chiesa Nuova ("New Church") in Rome was built for Neri, with much of the artwork by Peter Paul Rubens. The nave was completed in 1577, and the church was consecrated in 1599.
Philip revived the faith of the people of Rome with his lively and friendly manner, and encouraged them to frequent confession and Holy Communion. He is know as the Second Apostle of Rome, after St. Peter.
Philip Neri died in the early morning hours on May 26, 1595, after having spent the day hearing confessions and receiving visitors. His body is behind glass in a chapel to the left of the choir (at the left/front) of Chiesa Nuova. Designed in 1600, the first octagonal part of the chapel has a central vault painting of St. Philip by Roncalli, and an altarpiece of the Virgin Appearing to St. Philip Neri by Guido Reni (now a mosaic copy). Philip Neri was beatified by Pope Paul V in 1615 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. His feast day is observed on May 26. Neri is the Patron Saint of Rome, of the U. S. Army Special Forces, and of laughter and joy.
Bio by: Angela
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