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Also known as: Bellarmino
Third of ten children. His mother, Cinzia Cervini, a niece of Pope
Marcellus II, was dedicated to almsgiving, prayer, meditation, fasting,
and mortification; his father was Vincenzo Bellarmino. Suffered assorted
health problems all his life. Jesuit educated. Became a Jesuit on 20
September 1560. Taught Greek, Hebrew, and theology at Louvain, Florence,
and Mondovi from 1570 to 1576 when he was appointed to the chair of
controversial theology at the Roman College. Priest. Became college rector
in 1592. Provincial of Naples in 1594. Created Cardinal in 1598 by Pope
Clement VIII, he lived an austere life in Rome, giving most of his money
to the poor. At one point he used the tapestries in his living quarters to
clothe the poor, saying that "the walls won't catch cold."
Defended the Apostolic See against anti-clericals in Venice, and the
political tenets of James I of England. Wrote exhaustive works against
heresies of the day. Took a position fundamentally democratic - authority
originates with God, is vested in the people, who entrust it to fit
rulers, a concept which brought him trouble with the kings of both England
and France. Spiritual father of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Helped Saint
Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order. Opposed
severe action against Galileo Galilei. Archbishop of Capua in 1602.
Preacher. Defender of the faith against Protestants, especially against
abuses in Germany and England. Revised Bible translations. Wrote two
catechisms. Theological advisor to Pope Clement VIII and Pope Paul V.
Taught catechism to children. Head of the Vatican library. Proposed as
Pope. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931.
Born
4 October 1542 at Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy
Died
17 September 1621 at Rome; relics in the church of Saint Ignatius, Rome
Beatified
1923 by Pope Pius XI
Canonized
1930 by Pope Pius XI
Patronage
canon lawyers, canonists, catechists, catechumens, Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, Ohio
Readings
Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is
saved.
Saint Robert Bellarmine
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"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? What command, Lord, do you give your servants? "Take my
yoke upon you," you say. And what is this yoke of yours like? "My yoke,"
you say, "is easy and my burden light." Who would not be glad to bear a
yoke that does not press hard but caresses? Who would not be glad for a
burden that does not weigh heavy but refreshes? And so you were right to
add: "And you will find rest for your souls." And what is this yoke of
yours that does not weary, but gives rest? It is, of course, that first
and greatest commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart." What is easier, sweeter, more pleasant, than to love goodness,
beauty, and love, the fullness of which you are, O Lord, my God?"
Is it not true that you promise those who keep your commandments a reward
more desirable than great wealth and sweeter than honey? You promise a
most abundant reward, for as your apostle James says: "The Lord has
prepared a crown of life for those who love him." What is this crown of
life? It is surely a greater good than we can conceive of or desire, as
Saint Paul says, quoting Isaiah: "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor
has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love
him."
from On the Ascent of the Mind to God by Saint Robert Bellarmine
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