Saint Philip Neri was born on July 22, 1515 in Florence, Italy to a poor family. One of his brother's died in childhood. He was taught my the Dominicans and was a pious youth. In 1533 he moved to San Germano to help some family members with their business, but he would escape and go to the local Dominican chapel in the mountains. He had a vision that he should go to Rome, so he left his family and he did. He became friends with Galeotto Caccia and he paid him to tutor his two sons. He was also friends with Saint Ignatius of Loyola. He wrote poetry in Latin and Italian and studied philosophy and theology. He then began to care for the sick and founded a society of like-minded people to do the same. He lived in the city as a hermit. He founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity with Persiano Rose. He entered the priesthood in 1551 and heard confessions by the hour. He also worked with the youth and found safe places for them to play. Pope Gregory XIV tried to make him a cardinal, but he declined. Then in 1575, he founded the Congregation of the Oratory (a group of priests dedicated to preaching and teaching. When he was hit with several illnesses, they were always cured through prayer. He died of natural causes on May 27, 1595. He was canonized on March 12, 1622 by Pope Gregory XV.
“Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life. Therefore the servant of God ought always to be in good spirits.”
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