This text comes from our book, Light to the Nations, Part I.
Because of Luther’s revolt, much of Germany had become Protestant; and even in regions that had remained Catholic, Protestantism was making inroads. Beginning in the 1550s, however, the Catholic Faith in Germany began a period of renewal that was largely due to the work of a Jesuit priest, St. Peter Canisius, who has been called the “Second Apostle of Germany.”
Peter was born in 1521 in Nijmegen in the Netherlands. Although he later accused himself of having wasted his time as a boy, Peter received his Master of Arts degree at Cologne University when he was only 19. During his time at Cologne University, Peter decided he would become a priest. After following the Spiritual Exercises under the direction of Blessed Peter Faber, an early follower of St. Ignatius, Canisius vowed to become a Jesuit.
After making his solemn profession as a Jesuit in Rome in 1549, Peter was sent to Germany. In Bavaria, Peter reformed a university. By his inspired preaching, by catechizing, and by a campaign against the sale of immoral and heretical books, he brought about a religious revival among the people. Peter’s main work was education. He knew that the Protestants had drawn away many people because they had been ignorant of the Faith. Peter did everything he could to see that Catholics learned the doctrines of the Church.
In 1552, Ignatius sent Peter to Vienna, Austria, where for 20 years no priest had been ordained and only about 10 percent of the people were still practicing Catholics. At first Peter preached to almost empty churches. Then a plague broke out, and Peter tirelessly ministered to the sick and the dying. Seeing his devotion and charity, the Viennese began coming to church to hear his sermons. Though he has been called the “Hammer of the Heretic” for his work in turning many from Protestantism, Peter was never rude with his opponents. He always addressed them with charity and gentleness.
Peter wrote several catechisms. The first, published in 1555 and called the Summary of Christian Doctrine, was nicknamed the “Short Catechism.” After publishing this catechism, he saw the people needed an even simpler one, so he wrote the Shorter Catechism, and then the Shortest Catechism. The catechisms were eventually translated into 25 languages, including English, Hindustani, and Japanese.
Peter helped to found a Jesuit college in Prague, and it was so successful that even Protestants sent their sons there. In Switzerland in 1580 his preaching helped to keep the city of Fribourg Catholic. By his preaching, writing, and work in education—but most of all by his charity—Peter Canisius kept Catholic Germany from becoming Protestant. Indeed, he brought some Germans who had wandered into Protestantism back into the Catholic fold. In 1591 Peter had a stroke that left him partially paralyzed; but he recovered enough to continue writing until his death on November 21, 1597.
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