Neri, << NAIR ee, >> Saint Philip (1515-1595), was the founder of the Oratorians and a reformer of Rome during the church renewal movement called the Counter Reformation. Pope Gregory XIII recognized his group of priests as the Congregation of the Oratory in 1575. Neri, a popular leader, also won over cardinals and popes to his unusual methods of reform. He was born on July 21, 1515, in Florence, Italy. He died on May 26, 1595.
