At first, he interested himself especially in the young ones who were employed in the banks and shops near the Vatican. He has been compared to Socrates for the way he could seize on opportunities for engaging in conversation and then he lead his hearers on by questions and suggestions to consider a better way of life. .
His warm friendliness and liveliness of his sense of humor would quickly catch the attention of passers. Once it was caught, it was difficult to break away. An ordinary question of his would usually be, "Well, brothers, when shall we begin to do good?" soon brought a response, provided, he then led the way. He would take them to wait on the sick in the hospitals or to pray in the Seven Churches. His days were totally given up to others, but towards evenings it was his habit to retire into his seclusion, to spend the night in a church porch or in the catacombs beside the Appian Way, gathering just enough strength for another day's work.
He then became a priest and soon had developed a large following of people who were inspired by his simple and humble lifestyle. Neri was particularly in demand as a confessor because he understood what had driven people to sin and gave penances that helped them turn their lives around. Neri was always on guard against pride. He never preached sermons because he thought he would become vain by doing so. Instead he dealt with his congregation one at a time giving them support and advice. But even in this quiet way he managed to have long-term effects that helped reform the entire church. .
As a confessor, Neri soon realized that the young would often think too much by concentrating on the sins they hoped to avoid. His solution to this was to create activities that led people in the right direction. He organized evenings of meditation, songs and readings. He held processions that visited seven churches in Rome with stops not only for prayers and silent devotion at each church but also for singing, dancing and a massive picnic (a real party attended by as many as 6,000 people).
