Defender of the Faith

Today's saint is considered a defender of the faith as he spent much of his ministry writing documents to refute the Protestant Reformation.

Today is the feast day of St. Robert Bellarmine.

Feast Day:  September 17
Patron against epilepsy
Birth: 1542
Death: 1621
Italian
Noble parents (however little money) were highly religious and dedicated to a faithful life
Priest of the Jesuit Order in 1560

Bellarmine was appointed to the chair of controversial theology at the Roman College and a Cardinal in 1598.  He was the spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, helped St. Francis de Sales obtain formal approval of the Visitation Order, and opposed severe action in the case of Galileo (which was unfortunately delayed due to Galileo.)  He was a prolific writer and many of his writing are still reviewed today.  He is especially known for his ability to systematically review controversial teachings and find ways to refute the errors.

Bellarmine retired after a short time as bishop to a Jesuit college in Rome.  This is where he died in 1621.

Bellarmine was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1930; the following year he was declared a Doctor of the Church. His remains, in a cardinal's red robes, are displayed behind glass under a side altar in the Church of Saint Ignatius, the chapel of the Roman College, next to the body of his student, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, as he himself had wished.

"When we appeal to the throne of grace we do so through Mary, honoring God by honoring His Mother, imitating Him by exalting her, touching the most responsive chord in the sacred heart of Christ with the sweet name of Mary."