NERI (S. Philippe de), founder of the congregation of the Oratory in Italy, was born of a noble family at Florence, on the 25th of July 1515. Educated in the principles of piety and learning, he soon became
became distinguished for his knowledge and virtue. At the age of 19 he went to Rome, where he improved his mind, assisted the sick, and gave many proofs of self-denial and humility. Philippe, being raised to the priesthood at the age of 36, instituted, in 1550, a celebrated fellowship in the church of St. Saviour del Campo, for the relief of poor foreigners, of pilgrims, and of convalescents, who had no place whither they could retire. This society was the cradle, if we may say so, of the congregation of the Oratory. The holy founder having gained over to God Salvati brother to the cardinal of the same name, Tarugio afterwards cardinal, the celebrated Baronius, and several others, they began to form themselves into a society in 1564. The spiritual exercises had been transferred in 1558 to the church of Saint Jerome de la Charité, which Philippe did not leave till 1574, when he went to stay at Saint John of the Florentines. Pope Gregory XIII. gave his approbation of the congregation in the following year. The father of this new warfare sent out some of his children, by whom his order was spread throughout Italy. Nor is there any reason to be surprised at its rapid success. No vow is taken in this congregation; charity is the only bond of connection. The general continues only three years in office, and his orders are not those of a tyrant or a despot. The founder died at Rome on the night between the 25th and 26th of May 1595, aged 80. He had resigned the generalship three years before in favour of Baronius, who, by his advice, was engaged in the ecclesiastical annals. The constitutions which he left for his congregation were not printed till 1612. The principal employment which he allots to the priests of his order, is to give, every day, in their oratory or church, instructions suited to the understandings of their hearers: an office truly apostolical, and which the followers of Neri discharge with success. They humble themselves, that they may exalt to God the soul of the simple. Philippe was canonized in 1622 by Gregory XV.
There was a learned man of the name of NERI (Anthony), from whom we have a curious book printed at Florence 1612, in 4to, with this title Dell'Arte verraria libri VII.; and a Dominican named Thomas Neri, who employed his pen in defence of his fellow monk, the famous Savonarole.