St. Peter Canisius
1521-1597
📅 Feast Day: Dec 21
📖 Life Timeline
1521
Born in April 27, 1521 AD, Nimwegen, Netherlands
1521
PETER CANISIUS (St) C
1597
PETER CANISIUS (St) C
1548
ed into the So- ciety of Jesus by Bl Peter Faber (1548)
1925
Canonized and declared Doc- tor of the Church in 1925
1597
Died — December 21, 1597 AD, Fribourg, Switzerland
1925
Canonized — 1925 by Pope Pius XI
✝ Biography
PETER CANISIUS (St) C. Dr. S.J. R.M. Apr. 27 1521-1597. A native of Nijmwegen in Holland. He was received into the So- ciety of Jesus by Bl Peter Faber (1548). He was the leader of the Catholic counter- Reformation in German lands, being con- stantly engaged in preaching, teaching, writing, instructing, advising, arbitrating, in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Bo- hemia, Poland. His short catechism in Latin and German had passed through two hundred editions before his death and was translated into twelve European lan- guages. He also wrote theological, asceti- cal and historical treatises. He has been rightly called “the Second Apostle of Germany.” Canonized and declared Doc- tor of the Church in 1925. Cf. Holw. — Att. — Baud.
PETER CHANEL (Bl) M._ A.C. Apr. 28 1803-1889. Peter Louis Mary Chanel was born at Cluet, diocese of Belley, in France, of a family of peasants. He was ordained priest i
🛡 Patronage
Patron of: Catholic education, catechists, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Doctor of the Church.
💬 Words of the Saint
The catechism is the book of books.
📜 Key Facts
Born
April 27, 1521, Nimwegen, Netherlands
Died
December 21, 1597 AD, Fribourg, Switzerland
Feast Day
Dec 21
Canonized
1925 by Pope Pius XI
🕊 Legacy
Canisius's catechism was the most widely read Catholic book after the Bible for 300 years. He built the foundation of Catholic education in Central Europe. He is one of the three patron saints of Germany.
📜 Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words — their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
📖 Catechism Minor
On the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are the foundation of the moral law. They teach us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. They are not burdensome, but liberating. They show us the path to happiness, the way to true freedom, the road to eternal life.
— St. Peter Canisius
📖 Letters
On the Spread of the Faith
Let us labor for the spread of the faith, not with words alone, but with deeds. Let us be witnesses of the Gospel, not only in our preaching, but in our lives. Let us be lights in the darkness, salts in the corruption, leaven in the world. Let us be instruments of God's mercy, channels of His grace, vessels of His love.
— St. Peter Canisius
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