Religious figure. Jesuit priest. An important figure in the Catholic Counter-Reformation that responded to the 16th-century spread of Protestantism. His efforts as a preacher, author, and religious educator strengthened the Catholic faith in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Central Europe. He has often been called the "second apostle of Germany," as many compare his life to the earlier work of St. Boniface. He re-evangelized Central Europe, founded dozens of colleges, contributed to the rebirth of Catholicism through his extensive writings, and laid the groundwork for the Catholic Reformation north of the Alps.
Peter Kanis – his name was later Latinized to "Canisius" – was born in Nijmegen, Holland, (now the Netherlands) on May 8, 1521, around the time that Luther began to leave the Catholic Church and St. Ignatius Loyola was laying the foundations of the Jesuit Order. His father, Jacob Kanis, was a wealthy Burgermeister, or chief executive of the city; his mother, Aegidia, died soon after his birth. He began his university studies in Cologne around age 15, studying the arts, civil law, and theology. Although he once accused himself of idleness in his youth, he couldn't have been idle too long, for, at the age of 19, he received a Master's Degree from the University at Cologne.
Despite his father's preference that he should marry, he decided in 1540 to remain celibate. Three years later, he entered the recently-formed Society of Jesus under the influence of Blessed Peter Faber, one of the first disciples of St. Ignatius Loyola. He founded the first Jesuit house in Germany and was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1546, the eighth professed member of the order.
After his ordination in 1546, he became widely known for his editions of the writings of St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. Leo the Great. Besides his literary bent, he had a zeal for the apostolate. He could often be found visiting the sick or imprisoned, even when his assigned duties in other areas were more than enough to keep him fully occupied.
One year later, in 1547, he accompanied the Bishop of Augsburg to the Council of Trent as a theological adviser. He was later assigned to implement the Council's decrees. Also in 1547, he was called by St. Ignatius Loyola to Rome where he worked directly with the founder. After a brief teaching assignment at the Jesuit college at Messina in Sicily and after his solemn profession in Rome, he was entrusted with the mission to Germany—from that point on, his life's work. As the first superior of the German province of the Jesuits, he would serve as a university professor as well as a catechist and preacher. This combination of academic and pastoral work continued in Vienna from 1552, allowing him to visit and assist many Austrian parishes which were without a priest.
During the mid-1550s, he founded a series of Jesuit colleges and seminaries in Prague, Bavaria, Munich, Innsbruck, and throughout northern Germany. He also taught at several universities. In 1555, St. Ignatius promoted him to a leadership position within the order, which he held until 1569. He attracted vocations to the Jesuits, and the Society began to flourish in Central Europe. He organized the Jesuits and made the Society a leading force in the Counter-Reformation. He published the first and longest version of his Catholic Catechism. The Dutch Jesuits saw writing as an essential form of apostolic work. He edited and published editions of the Fathers of the Church, spiritual manuals, and textbooks that went into many editions. His catechism, with its two shorter adaptations, was translated into twelve languages in his lifetime, went through hundreds of printings, and remained in use for centuries. His catechism explained the Catholic faith in a way that common people could understand—a great need of that age. He was in contact with all the Catholic leaders in Germany and wrote fourteen hundred letters giving support to those laboring for reform. He recommended far-reaching reforms and had a profound effect on the education and spiritual life of the clergy. At times he wrote unprecedented letters of criticism to leaders of the Church—yet always in the context of a loving, sympathetic concern.
Involved in discussions with Protestants during 1557, he made a strong case for the Catholic Church by showing how the adherents of Protestantism could not agree with one another in matters of doctrine. He had great diplomatic ability, often serving as a reconciler between disputing factions. Meanwhile, he maintained his commitment to religious instruction on the popular level – teaching children, giving retreats, and preaching carefully-crafted, doctrinally-rich sermons to large crowds. Renowned as a popular preacher, he packed churches with those eager to hear his eloquent proclamation of the Gospel.
Canisius' service to the Council of Trent continued during the early 1560s, though mostly from a distance. He kept up a demanding schedule of preaching and establishing universities, while also working to ensure that the Council's decrees were received and followed in Germany. His efforts over the next two decades contributed to a major revival of German Catholicism.
In 1564, he was chosen by Church leaders, including the Pope, for an important diplomatic mission: to bring documents from the Council of Trent, Italy, to the bishops scattered throughout Europe. The mission had already failed once before. The currier had to travel through Protestant territory, and, previously, all the documents had been stolen. Each document was 250 pages long. Fr. Canisius wore his priestly cassock and pretended to be checking up on the universities and monasteries he had founded in Europe. He pretended to be bringing three large sacks of books to his universities; in the sacks were hidden the documents from the Council of Trent. He was successful and delivered all the documents without being caught.
A mystical experience in 1584 convinced him that he should cease his travels and remain in Switzerland for the rest of his life. He spent his last years building up the Catholic Church in Fribourg through his preaching, teaching, and writing. He suffered a near-fatal stroke in 1591 at age 70, but recovered and continued to preach and write with the aid of a secretary for another six years until his death.
He was simultaneously canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on May 21, 1925. In a famous saying, he revealed the secret behind the accomplishments of his life: "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all." His feast day is celebrated on December 21. He is the patron of Germany, the Catholic press, and of catechism writers.
Peter Kanis – his name was later Latinized to "Canisius" – was born in Nijmegen, Holland, (now the Netherlands) on May 8, 1521, around the time that Luther began to leave the Catholic Church and St. Ignatius Loyola was laying the foundations of the Jesuit Order. His father, Jacob Kanis, was a wealthy Burgermeister, or chief executive of the city; his mother, Aegidia, died soon after his birth. He began his university studies in Cologne around age 15, studying the arts, civil law, and theology. Although he once accused himself of idleness in his youth, he couldn't have been idle too long, for, at the age of 19, he received a Master's Degree from the University at Cologne.
Despite his father's preference that he should marry, he decided in 1540 to remain celibate. Three years later, he entered the recently-formed Society of Jesus under the influence of Blessed Peter Faber, one of the first disciples of St. Ignatius Loyola. He founded the first Jesuit house in Germany and was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1546, the eighth professed member of the order.
After his ordination in 1546, he became widely known for his editions of the writings of St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. Leo the Great. Besides his literary bent, he had a zeal for the apostolate. He could often be found visiting the sick or imprisoned, even when his assigned duties in other areas were more than enough to keep him fully occupied.
One year later, in 1547, he accompanied the Bishop of Augsburg to the Council of Trent as a theological adviser. He was later assigned to implement the Council's decrees. Also in 1547, he was called by St. Ignatius Loyola to Rome where he worked directly with the founder. After a brief teaching assignment at the Jesuit college at Messina in Sicily and after his solemn profession in Rome, he was entrusted with the mission to Germany—from that point on, his life's work. As the first superior of the German province of the Jesuits, he would serve as a university professor as well as a catechist and preacher. This combination of academic and pastoral work continued in Vienna from 1552, allowing him to visit and assist many Austrian parishes which were without a priest.
During the mid-1550s, he founded a series of Jesuit colleges and seminaries in Prague, Bavaria, Munich, Innsbruck, and throughout northern Germany. He also taught at several universities. In 1555, St. Ignatius promoted him to a leadership position within the order, which he held until 1569. He attracted vocations to the Jesuits, and the Society began to flourish in Central Europe. He organized the Jesuits and made the Society a leading force in the Counter-Reformation. He published the first and longest version of his Catholic Catechism. The Dutch Jesuits saw writing as an essential form of apostolic work. He edited and published editions of the Fathers of the Church, spiritual manuals, and textbooks that went into many editions. His catechism, with its two shorter adaptations, was translated into twelve languages in his lifetime, went through hundreds of printings, and remained in use for centuries. His catechism explained the Catholic faith in a way that common people could understand—a great need of that age. He was in contact with all the Catholic leaders in Germany and wrote fourteen hundred letters giving support to those laboring for reform. He recommended far-reaching reforms and had a profound effect on the education and spiritual life of the clergy. At times he wrote unprecedented letters of criticism to leaders of the Church—yet always in the context of a loving, sympathetic concern.
Involved in discussions with Protestants during 1557, he made a strong case for the Catholic Church by showing how the adherents of Protestantism could not agree with one another in matters of doctrine. He had great diplomatic ability, often serving as a reconciler between disputing factions. Meanwhile, he maintained his commitment to religious instruction on the popular level – teaching children, giving retreats, and preaching carefully-crafted, doctrinally-rich sermons to large crowds. Renowned as a popular preacher, he packed churches with those eager to hear his eloquent proclamation of the Gospel.
Canisius' service to the Council of Trent continued during the early 1560s, though mostly from a distance. He kept up a demanding schedule of preaching and establishing universities, while also working to ensure that the Council's decrees were received and followed in Germany. His efforts over the next two decades contributed to a major revival of German Catholicism.
In 1564, he was chosen by Church leaders, including the Pope, for an important diplomatic mission: to bring documents from the Council of Trent, Italy, to the bishops scattered throughout Europe. The mission had already failed once before. The currier had to travel through Protestant territory, and, previously, all the documents had been stolen. Each document was 250 pages long. Fr. Canisius wore his priestly cassock and pretended to be checking up on the universities and monasteries he had founded in Europe. He pretended to be bringing three large sacks of books to his universities; in the sacks were hidden the documents from the Council of Trent. He was successful and delivered all the documents without being caught.
A mystical experience in 1584 convinced him that he should cease his travels and remain in Switzerland for the rest of his life. He spent his last years building up the Catholic Church in Fribourg through his preaching, teaching, and writing. He suffered a near-fatal stroke in 1591 at age 70, but recovered and continued to preach and write with the aid of a secretary for another six years until his death.
He was simultaneously canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on May 21, 1925. In a famous saying, he revealed the secret behind the accomplishments of his life: "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all." His feast day is celebrated on December 21. He is the patron of Germany, the Catholic press, and of catechism writers.
Religious figure. Jesuit priest. An important figure in the Catholic Counter-Reformation that responded to the 16th-century spread of Protestantism. His efforts as a preacher, author, and religious educator strengthened the Catholic faith in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Central Europe. He has often been called the "second apostle of Germany," as many compare his life to the earlier work of St. Boniface. He re-evangelized Central Europe, founded dozens of colleges, contributed to the rebirth of Catholicism through his extensive writings, and laid the groundwork for the Catholic Reformation north of the Alps.
Peter Kanis – his name was later Latinized to "Canisius" – was born in Nijmegen, Holland, (now the Netherlands) on May 8, 1521, around the time that Luther began to leave the Catholic Church and St. Ignatius Loyola was laying the foundations of the Jesuit Order. His father, Jacob Kanis, was a wealthy Burgermeister, or chief executive of the city; his mother, Aegidia, died soon after his birth. He began his university studies in Cologne around age 15, studying the arts, civil law, and theology. Although he once accused himself of idleness in his youth, he couldn't have been idle too long, for, at the age of 19, he received a Master's Degree from the University at Cologne.
Despite his father's preference that he should marry, he decided in 1540 to remain celibate. Three years later, he entered the recently-formed Society of Jesus under the influence of Blessed Peter Faber, one of the first disciples of St. Ignatius Loyola. He founded the first Jesuit house in Germany and was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1546, the eighth professed member of the order.
After his ordination in 1546, he became widely known for his editions of the writings of St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. Leo the Great. Besides his literary bent, he had a zeal for the apostolate. He could often be found visiting the sick or imprisoned, even when his assigned duties in other areas were more than enough to keep him fully occupied.
One year later, in 1547, he accompanied the Bishop of Augsburg to the Council of Trent as a theological adviser. He was later assigned to implement the Council's decrees. Also in 1547, he was called by St. Ignatius Loyola to Rome where he worked directly with the founder. After a brief teaching assignment at the Jesuit college at Messina in Sicily and after his solemn profession in Rome, he was entrusted with the mission to Germany—from that point on, his life's work. As the first superior of the German province of the Jesuits, he would serve as a university professor as well as a catechist and preacher. This combination of academic and pastoral work continued in Vienna from 1552, allowing him to visit and assist many Austrian parishes which were without a priest.
During the mid-1550s, he founded a series of Jesuit colleges and seminaries in Prague, Bavaria, Munich, Innsbruck, and throughout northern Germany. He also taught at several universities. In 1555, St. Ignatius promoted him to a leadership position within the order, which he held until 1569. He attracted vocations to the Jesuits, and the Society began to flourish in Central Europe. He organized the Jesuits and made the Society a leading force in the Counter-Reformation. He published the first and longest version of his Catholic Catechism. The Dutch Jesuits saw writing as an essential form of apostolic work. He edited and published editions of the Fathers of the Church, spiritual manuals, and textbooks that went into many editions. His catechism, with its two shorter adaptations, was translated into twelve languages in his lifetime, went through hundreds of printings, and remained in use for centuries. His catechism explained the Catholic faith in a way that common people could understand—a great need of that age. He was in contact with all the Catholic leaders in Germany and wrote fourteen hundred letters giving support to those laboring for reform. He recommended far-reaching reforms and had a profound effect on the education and spiritual life of the clergy. At times he wrote unprecedented letters of criticism to leaders of the Church—yet always in the context of a loving, sympathetic concern.
Involved in discussions with Protestants during 1557, he made a strong case for the Catholic Church by showing how the adherents of Protestantism could not agree with one another in matters of doctrine. He had great diplomatic ability, often serving as a reconciler between disputing factions. Meanwhile, he maintained his commitment to religious instruction on the popular level – teaching children, giving retreats, and preaching carefully-crafted, doctrinally-rich sermons to large crowds. Renowned as a popular preacher, he packed churches with those eager to hear his eloquent proclamation of the Gospel.
Canisius' service to the Council of Trent continued during the early 1560s, though mostly from a distance. He kept up a demanding schedule of preaching and establishing universities, while also working to ensure that the Council's decrees were received and followed in Germany. His efforts over the next two decades contributed to a major revival of German Catholicism.
In 1564, he was chosen by Church leaders, including the Pope, for an important diplomatic mission: to bring documents from the Council of Trent, Italy, to the bishops scattered throughout Europe. The mission had already failed once before. The currier had to travel through Protestant territory, and, previously, all the documents had been stolen. Each document was 250 pages long. Fr. Canisius wore his priestly cassock and pretended to be checking up on the universities and monasteries he had founded in Europe. He pretended to be bringing three large sacks of books to his universities; in the sacks were hidden the documents from the Council of Trent. He was successful and delivered all the documents without being caught.
A mystical experience in 1584 convinced him that he should cease his travels and remain in Switzerland for the rest of his life. He spent his last years building up the Catholic Church in Fribourg through his preaching, teaching, and writing. He suffered a near-fatal stroke in 1591 at age 70, but recovered and continued to preach and write with the aid of a secretary for another six years until his death.
He was simultaneously canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on May 21, 1925. In a famous saying, he revealed the secret behind the accomplishments of his life: "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all." His feast day is celebrated on December 21. He is the patron of Germany, the Catholic press, and of catechism writers.
Peter Kanis – his name was later Latinized to "Canisius" – was born in Nijmegen, Holland, (now the Netherlands) on May 8, 1521, around the time that Luther began to leave the Catholic Church and St. Ignatius Loyola was laying the foundations of the Jesuit Order. His father, Jacob Kanis, was a wealthy Burgermeister, or chief executive of the city; his mother, Aegidia, died soon after his birth. He began his university studies in Cologne around age 15, studying the arts, civil law, and theology. Although he once accused himself of idleness in his youth, he couldn't have been idle too long, for, at the age of 19, he received a Master's Degree from the University at Cologne.
Despite his father's preference that he should marry, he decided in 1540 to remain celibate. Three years later, he entered the recently-formed Society of Jesus under the influence of Blessed Peter Faber, one of the first disciples of St. Ignatius Loyola. He founded the first Jesuit house in Germany and was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1546, the eighth professed member of the order.
After his ordination in 1546, he became widely known for his editions of the writings of St. Cyril of Alexandria and St. Leo the Great. Besides his literary bent, he had a zeal for the apostolate. He could often be found visiting the sick or imprisoned, even when his assigned duties in other areas were more than enough to keep him fully occupied.
One year later, in 1547, he accompanied the Bishop of Augsburg to the Council of Trent as a theological adviser. He was later assigned to implement the Council's decrees. Also in 1547, he was called by St. Ignatius Loyola to Rome where he worked directly with the founder. After a brief teaching assignment at the Jesuit college at Messina in Sicily and after his solemn profession in Rome, he was entrusted with the mission to Germany—from that point on, his life's work. As the first superior of the German province of the Jesuits, he would serve as a university professor as well as a catechist and preacher. This combination of academic and pastoral work continued in Vienna from 1552, allowing him to visit and assist many Austrian parishes which were without a priest.
During the mid-1550s, he founded a series of Jesuit colleges and seminaries in Prague, Bavaria, Munich, Innsbruck, and throughout northern Germany. He also taught at several universities. In 1555, St. Ignatius promoted him to a leadership position within the order, which he held until 1569. He attracted vocations to the Jesuits, and the Society began to flourish in Central Europe. He organized the Jesuits and made the Society a leading force in the Counter-Reformation. He published the first and longest version of his Catholic Catechism. The Dutch Jesuits saw writing as an essential form of apostolic work. He edited and published editions of the Fathers of the Church, spiritual manuals, and textbooks that went into many editions. His catechism, with its two shorter adaptations, was translated into twelve languages in his lifetime, went through hundreds of printings, and remained in use for centuries. His catechism explained the Catholic faith in a way that common people could understand—a great need of that age. He was in contact with all the Catholic leaders in Germany and wrote fourteen hundred letters giving support to those laboring for reform. He recommended far-reaching reforms and had a profound effect on the education and spiritual life of the clergy. At times he wrote unprecedented letters of criticism to leaders of the Church—yet always in the context of a loving, sympathetic concern.
Involved in discussions with Protestants during 1557, he made a strong case for the Catholic Church by showing how the adherents of Protestantism could not agree with one another in matters of doctrine. He had great diplomatic ability, often serving as a reconciler between disputing factions. Meanwhile, he maintained his commitment to religious instruction on the popular level – teaching children, giving retreats, and preaching carefully-crafted, doctrinally-rich sermons to large crowds. Renowned as a popular preacher, he packed churches with those eager to hear his eloquent proclamation of the Gospel.
Canisius' service to the Council of Trent continued during the early 1560s, though mostly from a distance. He kept up a demanding schedule of preaching and establishing universities, while also working to ensure that the Council's decrees were received and followed in Germany. His efforts over the next two decades contributed to a major revival of German Catholicism.
In 1564, he was chosen by Church leaders, including the Pope, for an important diplomatic mission: to bring documents from the Council of Trent, Italy, to the bishops scattered throughout Europe. The mission had already failed once before. The currier had to travel through Protestant territory, and, previously, all the documents had been stolen. Each document was 250 pages long. Fr. Canisius wore his priestly cassock and pretended to be checking up on the universities and monasteries he had founded in Europe. He pretended to be bringing three large sacks of books to his universities; in the sacks were hidden the documents from the Council of Trent. He was successful and delivered all the documents without being caught.
A mystical experience in 1584 convinced him that he should cease his travels and remain in Switzerland for the rest of his life. He spent his last years building up the Catholic Church in Fribourg through his preaching, teaching, and writing. He suffered a near-fatal stroke in 1591 at age 70, but recovered and continued to preach and write with the aid of a secretary for another six years until his death.
He was simultaneously canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on May 21, 1925. In a famous saying, he revealed the secret behind the accomplishments of his life: "If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all." His feast day is celebrated on December 21. He is the patron of Germany, the Catholic press, and of catechism writers.
Bio by: Angela
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