"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you." - 1 Timothy 6:20
St. Robert Bellarmine
Great Quote
"Sweet Lord, you are meek and merciful. Who would not give himself wholeheartedly to your service, if he began to taste even a little of your fatherly rule?"[1] - "On the Ascent of the Mind to God"Biography
St. Robert Francis Bellarmine was born Montepulciano Tuscany, Italy on October 4th, 1542, to his parents who were impoverished nobles. He was the third of ten children and as a boy was educated by Jesuits. He entered the Society of Jesus, studied at the Roman College, was a teacher, preacher, theologian, Spiritual Counselor to five popes, a Cardinal and Doctor of the Church. He is most noted for his faithfulness to God though his defense of the papacy and role in the Holy Office.Guarding the Deposit
St. Bellarmine had a very active role in the renewal of the Church and defense of the faith in light of the Protestant Reformation. It all began after he entered the Society of Jesus, taking first vows and beginning his studies in philosophy at the Roman College. He became a professor soon after, teaching humanities at Florence and the Mondovi. Pursuing further education, he traveled to Padua and started law school, finishing at Louvain, its location primary to the acquisition of knowledge concerning the impending heresies of the time. He was both teaching and preaching when he was summoned to Italy where he was put in charge of the chair of Controversies, from which flowed his greatest work "De Controversiis," which broke down and organized the heresies of that time, making huge waves in the Protestant Reformation, so much so that two chairs were formed to combat his exposition of their theology. In the year 1590, after being made Spiritual Father of the Roman College, St. Bellarmine's defense of the faith was further expanded upon his commission to France by Pope Sixtus V. After he returned to the Roman College he had the privilege as Spiritual Father, to guide St. Aloysius Gonzaga through the remaining years of life and furthermore promote his beatification.Continuing his service to the Church through his written talents, St. Bellarmine sat on the "final commission for the revision of the Vulgate text,"[2] and in addition provided the preface for this translation. His devotion to the Roman College increased after he was made Rector of the college in 1592 and in 1592 Provincial of Naples. St. Bellarmine's allegiance to the faith was well known, his intelligence well respected and his love of God, revered. St. Clement VIII was aware of this and made him his personal theologian, Examiner of Bishops and Consulter of the Holy Office. At this point he was also consecrated Cardinal Priest, a position he felt completely unworthy to uphold. With this authority he was frequently called upon to settle many disputes between various religious groups such as the Dominicans and Jesuits. In addition to all that he had previously been entrusted with concerning theology and the defense of the faith, he was made Archbishopric of Capua and chief advisor to the Holy See by Pope Paul V. In his defense of the Papacy he also aided in the dispute between Pope Paul V and the Republic of Venice over Vatican authority and clerical discipline.
Some additional achievements of St. Bellarmine include his formulation of a catechism for teachers and children, his numerous literary works as a master apologist and theologian, and his assistance to St. Francis de Sales in acquiring approval for the order of the Sisters of the Visitation. It is evident that St. Bellarmine was called to a pivotal role in the Reform of the Catholic Church and the defense of the faith in light of the attacks from the Protestant movement. He was definitely in the front ranks as the Church sought to renew herself interiorly and he played a significant role in combating the attacks which accosted her throughout the Reformation, especially as Chief Advisor to the Holy See. To understand the fullness of his effect on the Church during this time period, it is also important to transcend his visible works, for only then is one able to also witness the saint who animated these efforts. Catching a glimpse of the depths to which his love for God and the Church soared through his diligence to the protection of the papacy and devotion to service of the Church, the faithful receive another example of how God's is glorified through the saints. His fearlessness in the face of fiery Protestant attack, his charity, exhaustive efforts to protect and advise the Vicar of Christ and strength to continuously fight to win back souls are all results of the manifestation of God's grace and glory. St. Bellarmine suffered poor health his whole life which ended on September 17th, 1621 as he recited the Creed. He was canonized June 29th, 1930 by Pope Pius XI, who stated that "few men did more than he to furnish Catholics with the armor of light which they required."[3] He was also called the Saint of the Roman Pontiff and is patron of catechists.
1. "Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Robert Bellarmine," New Advent, www..newadvent.org/cathen/02411d.htm (7 February 2007), 5.
2. "Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Robert Bellarmine," New Advent, www..newadvent.org/cathen/02411d.htm (7 February 2007), 2.
3. Henry Daniel-Rops, The Catholic Reformation Vol II , trans. John Warrington (New York: Division of Doubleday and Co., Inc., 1962), 141.