St Robert BellarmineSt. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) was a distinguished Jesuit theologian, writer, and cardinal. Born at Montepulciano, Italy, he was the son of noble, albeit impoverished, parents; his mother was the sister of Pope Marcellus II. As a boy he knew Virgil by heart and composed a number of poems in Italian and Latin. One of his hymns, on Mary Magdalene, is included in the Roman Breviary. He was brought up at the newly founded Jesuit college in his native town, and entered the Society of Jesus in 1560. He continued on in intense study and formation as a Jesuit, entering into the lists during the time this Order was brilliantly and ardently laboring to quell the ruinous fires of heresy, which had erupted all over Europe with the Protestant revolt. Three years he spent in studying philosophy at the Roman College, after which he taught the humanities first at Florence, then at Mondovi. In 1567 he began his theology at Padua, but in 1569 was sent to finish it at Louvain, where he could obtain a fuller acquaintance with the prevailing heresies. Having been ordained there, he quickly obtained a reputation both as a professor and a preacher, in the latter capacity drawing to his pulpit both Catholics and Protestants, even from distant parts. In 1576 he was recalled to Italy, and entrusted with the chair of Controversies recently founded at the Roman College. He proved himself equal to the arduous task, and the lectures thus delivered grew into the work "De Controversiis" which, amidst so much else of excellence, forms the chief title to his greatness. Teacher and Spiritual Father to the Roman College, an aid to Popes and the Holy Office in a number of capacities, Pope Clement VIII made him Cardinal-Priest, saying "the Church of God has not his equal in learning." Later this same Pope ordained him Archbishop of Capua. As Spiritual Father, Bellarmine guided the last years of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, who died at the Roman College in 1591.Bellarmine's spirit of prayer, his singular delicacy of conscience and freedom from sin, his spirit of humility and poverty, together with the disinterestedness which he displayed as much under the cardinal's robes as under the Jesuit's gown, his lavish charity to the poor, and his devotedness to work, had combined to impress those who knew him that he was a saint. At his death, the Swiss guards of the Pope were placed round his coffin in order to keep off the crowds, which pressed to touch and kiss his body, and obtain relics. Everything he had made use of was carried away by the people. Read More Read Less