Our Saint of the Day ✝️ was a tireless advocate for the poor.
September 17, 2024
Dear John,
Today's Saint of the Day tells the story of Robert Bellarmine, a devoted scholar and theologian who dedicated himself to the study of Church history, the Fathers of the Church, and Scripture in order to defend Church doctrine against the challenges of the Protestant Reformers. Despite becoming a cardinal and residing in the Vatican, Bellarmine remained humble, practicing austerity and using his resources to help those in need. His dedication and humility serve as an inspiration to all.
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When Robert Bellarmine was ordained in 1570, the study of Church history and the fathers of the Church was in a sad state of neglect. A promising scholar from his youth in Tuscany, he devoted his energy to these two subjects, as well as to Scripture, in order to systematize Church doctrine against the attacks of the Protestant Reformers. He was the first Jesuit to become a professor at Louvain.
His most famous work is his three-volume Disputations on the Controversies of the Christian Faith. Particularly noteworthy are the sections on the temporal power of the pope and the role of the laity. Bellarmine incurred the anger of monarchists in England and France by showing the divine-right-of-kings theory untenable. He developed the theory of the indirect power of the pope in temporal affairs; although he was defending the pope against the Scottish philosopher Barclay, he also incurred the ire of Pope Sixtus V.
Bellarmine was made a cardinal by Pope Clement VIII on the grounds that “he had not his equal for learning.” While he occupied apartments in the Vatican, Bellarmine relaxed none of his former austerities. He limited his household expenses to what was barely essential, eating only the food available to the poor. He was known to have ransomed a soldier who had deserted from the army and he used the hangings of his rooms to clothe poor people, remarking, “The walls won’t catch cold.”
Among many activities, Bellarmine became theologian to Pope Clement VIII, preparing two catechisms which have had great influence in the Church.
The last major controversy of Bellarmine’s life came in 1616 when he had to admonish his friend Galileo, whom he admired. He delivered the admonition on behalf of the Holy Office, which had decided that the heliocentric theory of Copernicus was contrary to Scripture. The admonition amounted to a caution against putting forward—other than as a hypothesis—theories not yet fully proven. This shows that saints are not infallible.
Robert Bellarmine died on September 17, 1621. The process for his canonization was begun in 1627, but was delayed until 1930 for political reasons, stemming from his writings. In 1930, Pope Pius XI canonized him, and the next year declared him a doctor of the Church.
Reflection
The renewal in the Church sought by Vatican II was difficult for many Catholics. In the course of change, many felt a lack of firm guidance from those in authority. They yearned for the stone columns of orthodoxy and an iron command with clearly defined lines of authority. Vatican II assures us in The Church in the Modern World, “There are many realities which do not change and which have their ultimate foundation in Christ, who is the same yesterday and today, yes, and forever” (#10, quoting Hebrews 13:8).
Robert Bellarmine devoted his life to the study of Scripture and Catholic doctrine. His writings help us understand that the real source of our faith is not merely a set of doctrines, but rather the person of Jesus still living in the Church today.
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Advent 2024
Daily Reflections with
Saint Padre Pio
St. Pio’s daily example as a follower of Christ helps guide you through a reflective and prayer-filled Advent season.
Let me end with an almost perfect Franciscan poem by a modern and wise poet, Chris Ellery, written in honor of John the Baptist. I am honored that he gave me permission to use this as-yet-unpublished poem. His lovely metaphor for our humble returning to the Source, like John the Baptist wanting to get smaller, is simply the natural descent and ready evaporation of water itself. No wonder that Francis called her “Sister Water, so useful, lowly, precious, and fair!” Water always and forever seeks the lower, and even the lowest, place. We must let water be our teacher here. And water, as you know, is the one single universal element necessary for all of life.
When I fear I have done wrong, when I look to those who are less than wise, when I forget transcendence and kneel in the meanings of color and shadow, when I tell lies to my soul, I seek out water, I follow its charm—a river, a stream, a lake with its springs and currents. See how it offers life as it flawlessly flows and forms to the shape of this world, the contours of land, the urge of earth, hear how it sings under the sun of endless evaporation.
When you think of the indwelling of your spiritual life, do you see different seasons at play? Growth spurts, slower times? Today, reflect on how every season has great value.
Pray
Sometimes what feels like emptiness is a precious time of being fallow. Our spirits require rest before the next burst of growth. Not needing to force anything, letting go of pushing and striving, we simply keep our eyes upon you, God. In this season, we trust our faith grounds us. Our heart-roots deepen.
Act
Go for a walk today and if possible observe the roots of trees or plants, how solidly they stand—and know that your heart, too, is held within God’s love, steadfast.
Today's Pause+Pray was written by Maureen O'Brien. Learn more here!
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