St. Robert Bellarmine

St. Robert Bellarmine was born Oct. 4, 1621, in Italy. After a Jesuit education, he joined the Jesuits in September 1560 despite his father’s opposition. He taught theology at the University of Louvain and Collegio Romano. He wrote a paper to defend the Catholic Church against Protestant attacks. He wrote a catechism for children and one for teachers. He served as theologian to Pope Clement VIII for two years and was made a cardinal-priest in 1598. He was involved in the conclave of 1621 and served as theological advisor to Pope Paul V. He died in Rome in 1621. The saint was proclaimed a doctor of the church in 1931. St. Robert Bellarmine is patron saint of canon lawyers and catechists.