Saint Robert Bellarmine
Jesuit theologian, cardinal and author of a catechism used for centuries
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Bishop, Doctor of the Church, Religious
- Life
- 1542 – 1621
- Era
- 17th century
- Feast
- 17 September
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Robert Bellarmine was born on 4 October 1542 in Montepulciano in Tuscany, into a family related to Pope Marcellus II. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1560, studied philosophy and theology, and was ordained a priest in 1570. He was then sent to teach at Leuven, where he preached and lectured until 1576.
He returned to Rome and took the chair of controversial questions at the Jesuit Roman College. Those lectures grew into the Disputationes de controversiis christianae fidei, a systematic presentation of the Catholic position against Protestant theologians, which was read across Europe. In 1597 he composed the Dottrina cristiana breve, a short question-and-answer catechism that was later translated into many languages.
He held a number of duties at the papal court: he served as theological adviser to several popes, took part in doctrinal proceedings such as the case of Giordano Bruno, and in 1616 was charged with informing Galileo of the decision of the Holy Office concerning Copernican theory. Pope Clement VIII made him a cardinal in 1599. From 1602 to 1605 he was archbishop of Capua, and the records show him devoting these years to the care of the diocese.
He then went back to Rome and kept writing on spirituality and theology until the end of his life. He died on 17 September 1621 at Sant'Andrea al Quirinale. He was canonised in 1930, and Pope Pius XI named him a Doctor of the Church in 1931.
Works and witness
- Joined the Jesuits in 1560 and was ordained in 1570
- Taught theology at Leuven and later at the Roman College
- Wrote the Disputationes de controversiis, a survey of Reformation-era debates
- Composed the catechism Dottrina cristiana breve in 1597
- Made a cardinal in 1599; archbishop of Capua from 1602 to 1605
Saints from the same country
References
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints – biographical profile
- Robert Bellarmine, Disputationes de controversiis christianae fidei
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.