Fr. Philip Neri Reese grew up just outside Annapolis, Maryland, where his family attended St. Mary’s Parish. His father is a high-school teacher, his mother is a nurse, and he has two younger sisters. He attended Dickinson College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, double-majoring in philosophy and religious studies. Brother Philip Neri says, “Why did I become a Dominican friar? Because I truly believe that following Christ the Preacher is how God wants to make me happy and holy at the same time.”