Philip Neri

Philip Romolo Neri (Filippo de Neri; called, Apostle of Rome), (July 21, 1515 - May 26, 1595), was an Italian churchman, noted for founding a society of secular priests called the "Congregation of the Oratory".

Related Topics:
July 21 - 1515 - May 26 - 1595 - Italian - Congregation of the Oratory

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He was was born at Florence, the youngest child of Francesco Neri, a lawyer, and his wife Lucrezia Soldi, whose family were nobility in the service of the state. Neri was carefully brought up, and received his early teaching from the friars at San Marco, the famous Dominican monastery in Florence. He was accustomed in later life to ascribe most of his progress to the teaching of two amongst them, Zenobio de 'Medici and Servanzio Mini.

Related Topics:
Florence - Dominican

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When he was about sixteen, a fire destroyed nearly all his father's property. Philip was sent to his father's childless brother, Romolo, a merchant at San Germane, a Neapolitan town near the base of Monte Cassino, to assist him in his business, and with the hope that he might inherit his possessions. So far as gaining Romolo's confidence and affection, the plan was entirely successful, but it was thwarted by Philip's own resolve to take holy orders.

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