St. Philip Neri

His life

Philip Neri was born in Florence on 21 July 1515. As a young man he was sent to work with a relative in business, but he soon felt drawn to a different life, and around 1533 he set out for Rome with almost nothing.

For years he lived in Rome as a layman. He tutored, studied, gave away what he had, and spent his days talking with young people, shopkeepers and the sick, and his nights in prayer, often at the ancient catacombs. He became known for leading groups on the walking pilgrimage to Rome’s Seven Churches, mixing prayer with picnics and music.

In 1548 he helped found a confraternity to care for the poor pilgrims who poured into the city, and in 1551 he was ordained a priest. He became a much-loved confessor. The informal gatherings in his room for prayer, Scripture, conversation and music grew into the Oratory, and in 1575 Pope Gregory XIII approved the Congregation of the Oratory, giving it the church of Santa Maria in Vallicella.

Philip died in Rome on 26 May 1595 and was canonized in 1622. Rome calls him its “second apostle”, and the Church celebrates his feast on 26 May.

The saint of joy

Philip is remembered above all for his cheerfulness. He used humour to keep himself humble and to put others at ease, and he believed that holiness is meant for ordinary people living ordinary lives — at work, at home and among friends.

A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.

Saying traditionally attributed to St. Philip Neri

Our parish and St. Philip

In July 1952, James Cardinal McGuigan entrusted a new parish in Downsview to the Capuchin Franciscan friars. It was named after St. Philip Neri, the joyful “Apostle of Rome”. The first Mass was celebrated on November 16, 1952, in a converted farmhouse, for about 75 families — today St. Philip Neri is home to a large community worshipping in English, Italian and Spanish. Read our parish history →

Banner: Guido Reni, St Philip Neri in Ecstasy (1614). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.