St. Philip Neri Research Paper

In our daily lives, we strive to be valuable people in society and contribute to society’s need. Some people take it farther and devote their life to only taking care of others or even to God. St. Philip Neri was one of these people as the life of a normal business person did not fit his way of living, and he devoted himself into God. St. Philip Neri was born in the poor section of Florence on July 21, 1515. As a young boy, he befriended and was taught by the Dominicans at St. Mark’s. In 1532 at the age of 17, Philip’s family sent him to San Germano to work for his uncle Romolo with the intention of him taking over the family’s business. This life did not fit him however, so he devoted his life to God and moved to Rome. St. Philip began to eat less, sleep little, and pray often. He went on to study philosophy and theology at the Sapienza University but also did not find scholarly life to fit and sold his books and gave money to the poor (Podolsky 717). “He also took up charitable work in the public hospital, offering spiritual comfort to the dying” (Podolsky 718) and converted many to life of Christianity. In 1548, St. Philip Neri started the Congregation of the Oratory, where laymen came together to pray, read Scriptures, and discussed the Church and saints’ lives. In 1551, he ordained as a priest and made himself available
Philip Neri had a very positive effect on the Catholic Church. Before he was a priest, he helped many others to convert to the life in Christ. Again, he started the Congregation of the Oratory, creating an atmosphere of prayer and dedicating the oratory to God and helping others. When St. Philip was ordained as a priest, he made time available for anyone who would like to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation or need spiritual guidance. His life was “devoted himself entirely to the sanctification of his own soul and the good of his neighbour” (Ritchie). His sense of humor attracted many young people to convert to the life of