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The Life of St. Philip Neri
Presents the first English translation of the life of the beloved saint known as the "Apostle of Rome" written by his disciple Antonio Gallonio soon after the saint's death.
258 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2006
About the author
Antonio Gallonio
20 booksThe Oratorian priest Antonio Gallonio (1556-1605) devoted his life to writing about saints.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 25, 2020
It’s always good to read the lives of the saints and St Philip doesn’t disappoint. He seems to be more of one to thank God for rather than emulate as he was blessed with so many gifts.
December 29, 2022
Finished via audio recording. Spiritually nourishing.
March 30, 2022
Inspiring. I appreciated the diversity of miracles as well as the simply inspiring life of St Philip, a saint for laypeople as much as for priests.
April 10, 2015
The English translation of St. Philip Neri's biography, writen in A.D. 1600. Once you get over the somewhat antiquated prose (which is the result of the work being 400 years old) you can see a very three dimensional portrait of St. Philip emerge. While there are plenty of instances of the saint's miracles and piety covered in the biography there are also quite forthright examples of his own struggles with temptations (which might be surprising for many modern readers since we tend to judge the past on how we THINK it was, not on how it actually was), the love he had for his followers, the spiritual guidance he gave people, etc. The biography itself is arranged chronologically, which was not always done at the time, and cross referenced with the popes who reigned during St. Philip's lifetime, which makes for interesting reading for those interested in Church history.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the book, besides its subject matter, is the author's copious use of footnotes and citations of witnesses. Gallonio was writing an apologia for St. Philip's life, in order to further he cause to be raised to sainthood. But in order to do so he was emphatic about getting as accurate a depiction of the saint as possible. Not content with mere hagiography (in the modern pejorative sense of the term), Gallonio relies on multiple witnesses providing sworn testimony for each episode he covers in the biography. He was a friend and follower of St. Philip but one who was interested in preserving an accurate, historical presentation of the man who would be known as the Apostle of Rome.
Well worth a read for anyone interested in history, Church history, historical biography, lives of the saints, etc.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the book, besides its subject matter, is the author's copious use of footnotes and citations of witnesses. Gallonio was writing an apologia for St. Philip's life, in order to further he cause to be raised to sainthood. But in order to do so he was emphatic about getting as accurate a depiction of the saint as possible. Not content with mere hagiography (in the modern pejorative sense of the term), Gallonio relies on multiple witnesses providing sworn testimony for each episode he covers in the biography. He was a friend and follower of St. Philip but one who was interested in preserving an accurate, historical presentation of the man who would be known as the Apostle of Rome.
Well worth a read for anyone interested in history, Church history, historical biography, lives of the saints, etc.
May 19, 2019
The number of healings and miracles associated with St Philip both before & immediately after his death is astounding.
October 27, 2009
A bit of a "slog" to get through this one, Its translated from either Italian or Latin of about 400 yrs ago. Not an easy read. I bought this one thinking of another saint, but it was good to learn of St. Phillip even if he wasn't the one I was curious about. Oh well we all make "boo-boos".
his is very much an explanation of his life and miricles written very shortly after his life, and for the purpose of influencing the Holy See to canonize him.
If one wants to know of saints, its interesting, but I cant say I would want to read it again.
his is very much an explanation of his life and miricles written very shortly after his life, and for the purpose of influencing the Holy See to canonize him.
If one wants to know of saints, its interesting, but I cant say I would want to read it again.
May 5, 2012
As a parishioner of St. Philip Neri Church, it was a joy to read this book. Due to when this book was written, it can be difficult to read. The style is more of a list of life events than a biographical story of St. Philip Neri's life. Overall, the author gives a very complete life of a great man...a saint.
I enjoyed the book and am glad I read it!
I enjoyed the book and am glad I read it!
October 10, 2016
I haven't read this book completely but, from skimming through it, I find it to be the most pious of the Lives on S. Philip. There is far more detail than anywhere else, especially concerning the various miracles that followed him around.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews