St. Philip Neri, May 26
A Florentine who settled in Rome, Philip Neri (1515-1595) drew people to prayer with humor and warmth, earning the name “apostle of Rome.” He founded the Congregation of the Oratory, whose informal gatherings of prayer and music gave the oratorio its name. He is the patron of comedians.
On the General Roman Calendar, May 26 is a memorial: Saint Philip Neri, priest.
May 26 on the calendar
May 26 is the 146th day of the year (the 147th in a leap year), with 219 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | Friday |
| 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | Sunday |
Keeping May 26
May 26 falls in May, the month of Mary. As a memorial, the saint is named in the opening prayer of every Mass celebrated that day. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival.
Saints of the week around May 26
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| May 23 | St. John Baptist de Rossi |
| May 24 | Sts. Donatian and Rogatian |
| May 25 | St. Bede the Venerable |
| May 27 | St. Augustine of Canterbury |
| May 28 | St. Germanus of Paris |
| May 29 | St. Paul VI |
The day before, May 25, is the day of St. Bede the Venerable. The day after, May 27, belongs to St. Augustine of Canterbury. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.