Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) Image: Catholic Truths
(CNA) Born in Italy at Montepulciano Tuscany, Robert’s uncle was a Cardinal who later became Pope Marcellus II — As a young man, Robert would be educated by the Jesuit’s which had only received Papal approval 2 yrs before his birth.
In September 1560 Robert entered the Jesuit Order himself, studying philosophy for 3 yr in Rome then taught humanities until 1567 when he began a study of theology for a little more than two years at which time he was Ordained a Priest in 1570 according to Franciscan Media in Belgium. — Fr. Robert Bellarmine sermons drew crowds of both Catholics and Protestants. In 1576 returning to Italy, he accepted an academic position addressing theological controversies, his resulting work Disputations became a classic of Catholic apologetics.
Near the end of the 1580s, Fr. Robert Bellarmine became ‘Spiritual Father’ of the Roman College according to SQPN teaching Jesuit students and children, writing a children’s catechism, together with one for teachers also. — Fr. Robert Bellarmine would serve as a Confessor of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (Feast Day: 21 June) who passed away at the age of just 23 then worked for the young man’s Canonization and likewise helped to produce the authoritative Latin text of the Bible, called for by the Council of Trent.
Around the end of that century, Fr. Robert Bellarmine would become an Advisor to Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) who named him a Cardinal in 1599 declaring that Cardinal Bellarmine, was the most educated man in the Church.
Cardinal Bellarmine, played a part in a debate betweem Dominicans and Jesuits regarding Grace, though the Pope later decided to appoint and consecrate him as the Archbishop of Capua.
Cardinal-Archbishop Bellarmine 3 yrs in Capua, would stand out as an example of fidelity to the reforming spirit and decrees of the Council of Trent — Cardinal-Archbishop Bellarmine was subsequently considered as a possible Pope in two successive elections however, the thought of becoming Pope would disturb him and in the end, he was never chosen.
In the early years of the 17th century, Cardinal-Archbishop Bellarmine would take a stand for the Church’s independence when it came under attack in Venice and England — Archbishop-Cardinal Bellarmine would likewise attempt to negotiate a reconciliation between his friend Galileo and the Vatican but was unsuccessful.
Galileo had believed the sun was the fixed center of the universe which revolved around it. Today we now know that Galileo was incorrect in his hypothesis and the sun is not the center of the universe. See more here of the ‘Galileo Controversy’ from Catholic Answers.
In 1621 Cardinal Bellarmine retired due to health problems. Two years before, he had set out his thoughts on the end of earthly life in a book entitled: ‘The Art of Dying Well’ (available at Barnes & Noble online which they describe as ‘one of his most famous devotional works,’) since the state of one’s soul at death, determines an individuals eternal destiny.
St. Robert Bellarmine, passed away on this date in 1621 at Rome, he was Beatified in 1923 and Canonized in 1930 by Pope Pius XI
More here from EWTN and Bible Readings here from USCCB