SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE

Feast Day - September 17

Lived (October 4, 1542 - September 17, 1621)

Patron Saint of Catechists and Catechumen

Robert was the third of ten children. Born in Montepulciano, Italy. His mother, Cinzia Cervini, a niece of Pope Marcellus II, was dedicated to almsgiving, prayer, meditation, fasting, and mortification of the body.

Robert joined the Jesuits in 1560, then newly formed. After his ordination in 1570, he was assigned to teach at Louvain, where he taught for 6 years and became famous for his Latin sermons. In 1576, he was appointed to the chair of controversial theology at the Roman College, he became Rector in 1592; he went on to become Provincial of Naples in 1594 and Cardinal in 1598.

This excellent saint-scholar and devoted servant of God defended the Apostolic See against the anti-clericals in Venice and against the political principles of King James I of England. He composed a comprehensive explanatory work against the prevailing heretics of his day. On church-state relations, he took a position based on principles now regarded as fundamentally democratic - authority originates with God, but is vested in the people, who entrust it to fit rulers.

Robert was the spiritual father of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, he helped Saint Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order, and in his foresight, opposed severe action in the case of Galileo. He has left us a host of important writings, including works of devotion and instruction, as well as debates.