This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color purple .
Saint Peter Canisius, a Doctor of the Church, is renowned for his pivotal role in the Counter-Reformation, especially through his influential catechisms and tireless defense of the faith in Central Europe.
Saint Peter Canisius (1521-1597) was a prominent Jesuit priest and Doctor of the Church, celebrated for his profound impact during the Counter-Reformation, primarily in Germany and Central Europe. He dedicated his life to revitalizing the faith through education, preaching, and writing, most notably by composing catechisms that provided clear and accessible explanations of doctrine, which were widely used for centuries. His tireless efforts in founding colleges, reforming universities, and combating the spread of dissent earned him the title "Second Apostle of Germany" and solidified his legacy as a champion of catechetical instruction and theological clarity.
Saint Peter Canisius, born Petrus Canisius in Nijmegen, Duchy of Guelders (modern-day Netherlands) in 1521, emerged as a towering figure during the tumultuous era of the Protestant Reformation. His early life was marked by a keen intellect and a deep piety. He pursued his studies at the University of Cologne, delving into liberal arts, theology, and canon law, quickly distinguishing himself as a promising scholar. Growing up in a region deeply affected by the burgeoning religious dissent, Canisius witnessed firsthand the fragmentation of Christian unity, which undoubtedly shaped his future dedication to the restoration and defense of Catholic truth. His academic pursuits laid a solid foundation for his later theological contributions and his unwavering commitment to the Church's teachings, even as the religious landscape around him was dramatically shifting.
In the year of our Lord 1547, the young Jesuit, Peter Canisius, found himself in the eternal city of Rome, undergoing his tertianship—a final, intense period of spiritual formation. His heart was heavy with the plight of the Church in his native Germany, ravaged by the storms of the Reformation. He yearned for strength, for wisdom, for a divine anointing to meet the monumental challenges ahead. Day after day, he sought solace and guidance at the most sacred of places: the tomb of Saint Peter himself, beneath the grandeur of the Vatican Basilica. He knelt there, pouring out his soul, pleading for the grace to serve God and His Church effectively.
It was during one such fervent prayer that a profound and utterly transformative experience unfolded. As he knelt before the altar, lost in contemplation, he felt an overwhelming presence, a divine infusion of grace that transcended all earthly understanding. It was as if the very heart of Christ, pierced for the love of humanity, opened before him, pouring forth its boundless treasures. He felt a spiritual embrace, a deep and intimate union, and from that Sacred Heart, he received a living stream of wisdom, courage, and zeal.
This was no mere pious thought or fleeting emotion; it was a mystical encounter that seared itself upon his soul. He felt an undeniable call, a divine mandate, to dedicate every fiber of his being to the defense and propagation of the Catholic faith. The grace he received that day fortified him against all future trials, filling him with an unshakeable resolve. It was this profound experience at the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles that empowered Saint Peter Canisius to become the tireless catechist, the eloquent preacher, and the unwavering champion of truth that Germany so desperately needed, earning him the title 'Second Apostle of Germany.' His life's work, from his influential catechisms to his founding of countless colleges, flowed directly from this moment of divine intimacy and the anointing he received from the very Heart of Christ.
1555
THE CREED, OR TWELVE ARTICLES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
Q. What is the Creed?
A. The Creed is a short summary of all the things which are to be believed by a Christian.
Q. How many articles are there in the Creed?
A. Twelve.
Q. Repeat them.
A. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the flesh, and life everlasting. Amen.
Q. What is the meaning of the first article: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
A. That there is one God, the Father Almighty, who from nothing created heaven and earth, and all things contained therein, both visible and invisible, and who still preserves and governs them.
Q. What do you mean by saying: I believe in God?
A. I mean that I firmly believe all that God has revealed and taught us through His Church; for God can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Q. Why do you call God Father?
A. Because He is the Father of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and, through Him, our Father by creation and adoption.
Q. Why do you call Him Almighty?
A. Because He can do all things that He wills, and nothing is impossible with God.
Q. Why do you call Him Creator of heaven and earth?
A. Because He alone, by His almighty power, created all things out of nothing.
Q. What do you mean by visible and invisible things?
A. Visible things are those which we can see, as the sun, moon, stars, men, beasts, trees, etc. Invisible things are those which we cannot see, as angels, the soul of man, etc.
Q. What do you mean by saying: He preserves and governs all things?
A. That He continually upholds and directs all things by His providence.
Q. What is the meaning of the second article: And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord?
A. That Jesus Christ is the true Son of God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, true God and true man, and the only Lord and Redeemer of the world.
Q. Why is He called Jesus?
A. Because He is our Saviour, who saves us from our sins.
Q. Why is He called Christ?
A. Because He is the Anointed of God, sent by God to be our Prophet, Priest, and King.
Q. Why is He called the only Son of God?
A. Because He alone is begotten of the Father from all eternity, and is of the same substance with the Father.
Q. Why is He called our Lord?
A. Because He is our Creator, Redeemer, and absolute Master.
Q. What is the meaning of the third article: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary?
A. That the Son of God, Jesus Christ, took upon Himself, through the operation of the Holy Ghost, a human body and soul in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was born of her as true man.
Q. Why was He conceived by the Holy Ghost?
A. That He might be truly God and truly man, without any stain of sin, and that He might be born of a Virgin.
Q. Why was He born of the Virgin Mary?
A. That He might be truly man, and that He might show us the way to purity and holiness.
Q. What is the meaning of the fourth article: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried?
A. That Jesus Christ, our Lord, willingly suffered and died on the cross for our sins, and was buried, in order to deliver us from eternal death.
Q. Why did He suffer under Pontius Pilate?
A. To show that His suffering was real, and that it happened at a certain time and place.
Q. Why was He crucified?
A. Because it was the most ignominious and painful death, and because it was prophesied of Him.
Q. Why did He die?
A. To atone for our sins, and to gain for us eternal life.
Q. Why was He buried?
A. To show that He was truly dead, and that His body was truly laid in the tomb.
Q. What is the meaning of the fifth article: He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead?
A. That Jesus Christ, after His death, descended into the Limbo of the Fathers, and on the third day, by His own power, rose gloriously from the dead.
Q. What is the Limbo of the Fathers?
A. A place where the souls of the just who died before Christ were detained, waiting for their Redeemer.
Q. Why did He rise again?
A. To show His divine power, to confirm our faith, and to be the first-fruits of those who sleep.
Q. What is the meaning of the sixth article: He ascended into heaven, sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead?
A. That Jesus Christ, forty days after His resurrection, ascended into heaven, where He sits at the right hand of God the Father, and from thence He will come at the end of the world to judge all men.
Q. What do you mean by sitting at the right hand of God?
A. That He possesses equal power and glory with God the Father.
Q. Why will He come to judge the living and the dead?
A. To render to every one according to his works, to condemn the wicked, and to reward the just.
Q. What is the meaning of the seventh article: I believe in the Holy Ghost?
A. That the Holy Ghost is the third Person of the most Holy Trinity, true God with the Father and the Son, and the Sanctifier of our souls.
Q. Why is He called the Holy Ghost?
A. Because He is holy in Himself, and because He sanctifies us.
Q. What is the meaning of the eighth article: The holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints?
A. That the Catholic Church is the true Church of Christ, spread throughout the whole world, in which the Saints communicate in all holy things, and assist one another by their prayers and good works.
Q. What do you mean by the Catholic Church?
A. The whole congregation of all the faithful who are baptized, and profess the same faith, and are under the obedience of the Pope, the successor of St. Peter.
Q. Why is it called holy?
A. Because it has a holy Head, Jesus Christ; holy doctrine, holy sacraments, and many holy members.
Q. Why is it called Catholic?
A. Because it is universal, embracing all nations, and teaching all saving truths.
Q. What do you mean by the communion of Saints?
A. That all the faithful, living and dead, who are in the grace of God, are united together, and communicate in all the spiritual goods of the Church, as sacraments, prayers, merits, and satisfactions.
Q. What is the meaning of the ninth article: The forgiveness of sins?
A. That in the Catholic Church, through the merits of Jesus Christ, sins are forgiven by the Sacrament of Penance, and by other means which God has appointed.
Q. What sins are forgiven?
A. All sins, mortal and venial, committed after Baptism.
Q. What is the meaning of the tenth article: The resurrection of the flesh?
A. That at the last day, all men, both good and bad, shall rise again with their own bodies, and be reunited to their souls, to be judged by Jesus Christ.
Q. Why will our bodies rise again?
A. Because they have been partners in the good and evil works of our souls, and that they may share in their reward or punishment.
Q. What is the meaning of the eleventh article: And life everlasting?
A. That after the general judgment, the just shall go into everlasting life in heaven, and the wicked into everlasting punishment in hell.
Q. What is heaven?
A. The place and state of everlasting happiness, where the just enjoy the vision of God face to face.
Q. What is hell?
A. The place and state of everlasting punishment, where the wicked suffer eternal torments with the devils.
Q. What is purgatory?
A. A place where souls suffer for a time, who die in venial sin, or who have not fully satisfied for the temporal punishment due to their mortal sins.
Q. What is the meaning of the twelfth article: Amen?
A. That all these things are most certainly true, and that I firmly believe them.
1908
Peter Canisius was born at Nimeguen, 8 May, 1521; died at Freiburg, Switzerland, 21 December, 1597. He studied at Cologne, where he received the degree of Master of Arts in 1540. Here he met Nicholas Essich, the Carthusian, and the Jesuit, Blessed Peter Faber, who exercised a profound influence on his spiritual life. He made the Spiritual Exercises under Faber in 1543, and in the same year entered the Society of Jesus, being the first German to do so. In 1546 he was ordained priest. He took an active part in the Council of Trent, where he served as a theologian for the Cardinal of Augsburg. From 1549 he taught at the University of Ingolstadt, where he was chosen rector in 1550. Under orders from St. Ignatius, he declined the bishopric of Vienna, but was appointed administrator of the diocese. In 1552 he was sent to Vienna, where he labored with great success against the inroads of Protestantism, and was instrumental in restoring the Catholic faith in Austria. He founded the first Jesuit college in Vienna, and later many others throughout Germany, Bohemia, and Switzerland. He was also instrumental in the reform of universities, notably Ingolstadt and Prague.
His greatest contribution, however, was his catechisms. Recognizing the need for a clear, concise, and orthodox exposition of Catholic doctrine to combat the widespread confusion and heresy, he published his 'Summa Doctrinae Christianae' (A Summary of Christian Doctrine) in 1555, followed by a smaller catechism for children and uneducated adults (the 'Catechismus Minor' or 'Parvus Catechismus Catholicorum') in 1556, and a still smaller one (the 'Catechismus minimus') in 1558. These catechisms became immensely popular and were translated into many languages, going through hundreds of editions. They were the standard texts for Catholic instruction for centuries, providing a solid foundation in faith for generations and effectively countering the influence of Protestant teachings. He emphasized clarity, simplicity, and direct engagement with Scripture and tradition, aiming to make complex theological truths accessible to ordinary people.
Canisius's tireless efforts extended beyond writing. He traveled extensively, preaching, teaching, and founding Jesuit colleges in places like Prague, Innsbruck, Munich, and Dillingen. He engaged in numerous public debates with Protestant theologians, demonstrating both profound theological knowledge and unwavering charity. He served as provincial superior of the Jesuit province of Upper Germany for twelve years (1556-1569), overseeing the rapid expansion of the order and its educational apostolate. He advised emperors, bishops, and princes, urging them to support Catholic reform and education. His influence was instrumental in preventing large parts of Southern Germany and Austria from succumbing to Protestantism.
He was a man of profound personal holiness, marked by deep prayer, humility, and zeal for souls. Despite his vast intellectual achievements and administrative responsibilities, he remained a simple and devout priest. His spiritual life was nourished by a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He often worked late into the night, rising early for prayer and Mass, driven by a burning desire to serve God and save souls. His practical approach to evangelization, combining robust intellectual defense of the faith with accessible catechesis and the establishment of strong educational institutions, proved highly effective. He died at Freiburg, Switzerland, in 1597, leaving behind a legacy of revitalized Catholic life and learning throughout Central Europe. He was beatified in 1864 by Pope Pius IX and canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1925.