The Life Of St. Philip Neri, Apostle Of Rome

The Life Of St. Philip Neri, Apostle Of Rome with audio

Philip Romolo Neri (1515 - 1595) is known as the Third Apostle of Rome, after Saints Peter and Paul. He was an Italian priest perhaps most famous for founding a society of secular clergy called the Congregation of the Oratory.

He was known in Rome for labouring amongst the sick and poor and ministering to prostitutes of the city. In 1538 he started home mission work travelling throughout the city, seeking opportunities of entering into conversation with people, and of leading them to think about the topics he set before them.

He generally kept out of political matters even though he acted as a father confessor for many Popes. The only exception was when he persuaded Pope Clement VIII to revoke the excommunication and anathema against Henry IV of France and the refusal to receive his ambassador, even though the king had formally renounced Calvinism.

Philip Neri was beatified by Paul V in 1615 and canonized by Pope Gregory XV in 1622.