This week in Christian history: Lutherans attempt unity with the Orthodox Church; Philip Neri dies

By Michael Gryboski, Editor
Sunday, May 24, 2026

Philip Neri dies – May 26, 1595

Philip Neri (1515-1595), a Catholic saint and figure of the Counter-Reformation who founded the Oratory. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Philip Neri, an Italian saint and important participant of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, died at the age of 79 after suffering a hemorrhage.

An active lay leader who was eventually ordained a priest, Neri is credited with creating the Oratory, a Catholic clergy society known for holding services with vernacular hymns, prayers and informal talks, in 1575.

Neri’s work was part of the Counter-Reformation, a movement within the Catholic Church that sought to renew the denomination and to challenge the rise of the Protestant Reformation.

“Philip’s advice was sought by many of the prominent figures of his day,” explained Franciscan Media. “He is one of the influential figures of the Counter-Reformation, mainly for converting to personal holiness many of the influential people within the Church itself.”

Neri was canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church in 1622.