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Thursday, 28 March 2024
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St Peter Canisius

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St. Peter Canisius (1521-1597) was born at Nijmegen, Holland, then part of the German Empire, at the time that Luther began to rebel against the Church. St Ignatius Loyola was laying the foundations of the Jesuit Order. He was educated at Cologne, studying law. Peter joined the Jesuit Order and was ordained a priest in 1546.

He is noted especially for defending the Catholic faith against  Protestantism, for his preaching, writing, founding of colleges and seminaries. He caused Catholic life to flourish. St. Peter was the theologian to the Cardinal of Augsburg at the Council of Trent at which he rendered invaluable services. When he finally returned to Germany he worked for the renewal of Catholic life for 30 years. St. Peter composed his famous "Catechism" which went through 55 editions in 9 languages in a period of ten years.

 

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St Peter Canisius