‘My Secret is my Own’. The Iconography of Philip Neri Receiving the Holy Spirit in the Catacombs

This study investigates the origins, evolution and dissemination of the iconography of Philip Neri receiving the Holy Spirit in the Catacombs of St. Sebastian. The miraculous episode, which took place when Neri was still a layman, caused the enlargement of his heart and stirred severe palpitations, signaling his fervent call to the apostolate. The contextualization of the saint’s biographies, along with the canonization proceedings and lesser-known sources, demonstrate that this imagery begins to emerge during the eighteenth century, gradually gaining prominence and ultimately becoming intertwined with liturgical celebrations and worship.