The year one great heretic broke from the Church was the year in which Peter Canisius was born. The year 1517 saw Martin Luther begin the work which led so many minds into error, but in God’s Providence it was the dawning in the life of the future Saint of a new era of battle against heresy. The Netherlands was his birthplace, but every part of Europe felt his influence before he dies and since. His early education was not for the Church but, after making a vow of celibacy in 1540, he entered the Society of Jesus three years later. From the day of his solemn profession his whole life was spent in the service of the truth. He opened many colleges, engaged in disputations and won back many from heresy. By his clear and forceful teaching, he preserved the faith of many Catholics. No class was excluded from his ministry; he explained the Catechism to children from his ministry; he explained the Catechism to children and heard their Confessions with the same if not greater enthusiasm than that which he showed their elders. Poland, Switzerland, Austria and Germany were the scenes of his activity and, though he met with opposition, he showed that the best work for the cause of truth is done when it is presented without ridicule or bitterness toward opponents. He shone particularly as a writer and he believed that the defense of the Church at home was as important as the conversion of the heathen. His Catechism went to more than two hundred editions in twelve languages during his own lifetime. His death occurred on November 21, 1597. While General of the Society, he received the application of St. Stanislas Kostka, and St. Aloysius attributed his entrance into religion to Canisius’ influence. He was beatified on November 20, 1869; canonized and made a Doctor of the Church in 1925.

Reflection — A baptized Christian and particularly a priest is “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” To act in this twofold capacity requires a combination of trained intelligence and disciplined holiness.

Taken from Father Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints for Every Day in the Year — With Reflections" Copyright 1955.