Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory: 1515-1595
His life
+ Philip was born in Florence, Italy, and moved to Rome in 1533.
+ For several years, he served the poor as a layman, forming a pious association to care for the poor and sick. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1551.
+ Philip eventually formed a new religious community—the Congregation of the Oratory (commonly known as the “Oratorians”)—whose members engage in spiritual reading, study, and works of charity.
+ Philip is especially remembered for his sense of humor and joy, as well as for his simple and straightforward spirituality.
+ Saint Philip Neri died in 1595 and was canonized in 1622. He is honored as the patron of the city of Rome and of the English-language edition of Aleteia.
Spiritual bonus
The Congregation of the Oratory includes a number of saints and blesseds, including Blessed John Henry Newman who praised Saint Philip Neri for his work of “restoring, teaching, encouraging, and guiding penitents along the narrow way of salvation.”
Quote
“We must often remember what Christ said, that not the one who begins, but the one who perseveres to the end, shall be saved.”—Saint Philip Neri
Prayer
O God, who never cease to bestow the glory of holiness
on the faithful servants you raise up for yourself,
graciously grant
that the Holy Spirit may kindle in us that fire
with which he wonderfully filled
the heart of Saint Philip Neri.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal)
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Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...