May 13
Saint Robert Bellarmine, Jesuit and Doctor of the
Church Born 4 October, 1542, Montepulciano, Italy Died 17 September, 1621,
Rome, Italy. Beatified 13 May 1923 by Pope Pius XI Canonized 29 June 1930 by
Pope Pius XI.
Robert, a native of Montepulciano and of the noble
family of Bellarmine, had for his mother the most pious Cynthia Cervini, sister
of Pope Marcellus II. From the first he was conspicuous for exemplary piety and
most chaste manners, earnestly desiring this one thing, to please God alone and
to win souls to Christ. He attended the college of the Society of Jesus in his
native town where he was highly commended for his intelligence and modesty.
At
the age of eighteen he entered the same Society at Rome, and was a model of all
religious virtues. Having passed through the course of philosophy at the Roman
College, he was sent first to Florence, then to Monreale, later to Padua to
teach sacred theology, and afterwards to Louvain where, not yet a priest, he ably
discharged the office of preacher. After ordination at Louvain, he taught
theology with such success that he brought back many heretics to the unity of
the Church, and was regarded throughout Europe as a most brilliant theologian;
and St. Charles, Bishop of Milan, and others keenly sought after him.
Recalled to Rome at the
wish of Pope Gregory XIII, he taught the science of controversial theology at
the Roman College, and there, as spiritual director he guided the angelic youth
Aloysius in the paths of holiness. He governed the Roman College and then the
Neapolitan province of the Society of Jesus in accordance with the spirit of
St. Ignatius.
Again summoned to Rome, he was employed by Clement VIII in the
most important affairs of the Church, with the greatest advantage to the
Christian state; then against his will and in spite of opposition, he was
admitted among the number of the cardinals, because, as the Pontiff publicly
declared, he did not have his equal among theologians in the Church of God at
the time.
He is eminently noted for very numerous short
works for fostering piety, and especially for that golden Catechism, which he
never failed to explain to the young and ignorant both at Capua and at Rome,
although preoccupied with other very important affairs.
A contemporary cardinal
declared that Robert was sent by God the instruction of Catholics, for the
guidance of the good, and for the confusion of heretics; St. Francis de Sales
regarded him as a fountain of learning; the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XIV called
him the hammer of heretics; and Benedict XV proclaimed him the model of
promoters and defenders of the Catholic religion.
He was most zealous in the religious life and he
maintained that manner of life after having been chosen as one of the empurpled
cardinals. He did not want any wealth beyond what was necessary; he was
satisfied with a moderate household, and scanty fare and clothing. He did not
strive to enrich his relatives, and he could scarcely be induced to relieve
their poverty even occasionally. He had the lowest opinion of himself, and was
of wonderful simplicity of soul. He had an extraordinary love for the Mother of
God; he spent many hours daily in prayer. He ate very sparingly, and fasted
three times a week. Uniformly austere with himself, he burned with charity
towards his neighbour, and was often called the father of the poor. He
earnestly strove that he might not stain his baptismal innocence to even the
slightest fault.
Almost eighty years old, he fell into his last illness at St.
Andrew's on the Quirinal hill, and in it he shewed his usual radiant virtue.
Pope Gregory XV and many cardinals visited him on his deathbed, lamenting the
loss of such a great pillar of the Church. He fell asleep in the Lord in the
year 1621, on the day of the sacred Stigmata of St. Francis, the memory of
which he had been instrumental in having celebrated everywhere. The whole city
mourned his death, unanimously proclaiming him a Saint. The Supreme Pontiff
Pius XI inscribed his name, first, in the number of the Blessed, and then in
that of the Saints, and shortly afterwards, by a decree of the Sacred
Congregation of Rites, he declared him a Doctor of the universal Church. His
body is honoured with pious veneration at Rome in the church of St. Ignatius,
near the tomb of St. Aloysius, as he himself had desired.
St. Robert Bellarmine
Cardinal, Confessor and
Doctor of the Church
Friday after the Octave of the Ascension
Double – White vestments
Missa ‘In Medio’
INTROITUS
Ecclesiasticus 15: 5
In
medio Ecclesiæ aperuit os ejus: et implevit eum Dominus Spiritu sapientiæ, et
intellectus: stolam gloriæ induit eum. Ps. 91: 2. Bonum est confiteri Domino: et
psallere nomini tuo, Altissime. Gloria Patri.
INTROIT
In
the midst of the Church the Lord opened his mouth: and filled him with the
spirit of wisdom and understanding: He clothed him with a robe of glory. Ps. It is good to give praise to the
Lord: and to sing to Thy Name, O Most High. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
O
God, who didst adorn blessed Robert, Thy Bishop and Doctor, with marvellous
learning and virtue to expose the deceptions of error and to defend the rights
of the Apostolic see, grant that, by his merits and intercession, love for the
truth may increase in us and the souls of the erring may return to the unity of
Thy Church. Through our Lord.
EPISTLE
Wisdom 7: 7-14
I
wished, and understanding was given me; and I called, and the spirit of wisdom
came upon me; and I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed
riches nothing in comparison of her. Neither did I compare unto her any
precious stone, for all gold in comparison of her is as a little sand, and
silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay. I loved her above health and
beauty, and chose to have her instead of light, for her light cannot be put
out. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches
through her hands. And I rejoiced in them all; for this wisdom went before me,
and I knew not that she was the mother of them all; which I have learned
without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not; for she
is an infinite treasure to men, which they that use, become the friends of God,
being commended for the gifts of discipline.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia,
alleluia. They that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.
Alleluia.
They that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 5: 13-19
At
that time, Jesus said to His disciples: You are the salt of the earth. But if
the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing
any more but to be cast out, and be trodden on by men. You are the light of the
world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle
and put it under a bushel but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that
are before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, Who
is in heaven. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be
fulfilled. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and
so shall teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but he
that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
OFFERTORY
Psalm 72: 28
It
is good for me to adhere to my God, to put my hope in my Lord, that I may
declare all Thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion. Alleluia.
SECRET
We
offer this sacrifice unto Thee, O Lord, for an odour of sweetness; grant that,
taught by the instruction and example of blessed Robert, we may with enlarged
heart run the way of Thy commandments. Through our Lord.
PREFACE FOR ASCENSION
It
is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at
all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty
and eternal God; through Christ our Lord. Who after His resurrection appeared
and showed Himself to all His disciples; and while they beheld Him, was lifted
up into heaven, so that He might make us partakers of His Godhead. And
therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with
all the hosts of heaven, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, without ceasing.
COMMUNION
You
are the light of the world: so let your light shine before all men that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven. Alleluia.
POSTCOMMUNION
May
the sacraments which we have received, O Lord, our God, inflame us with that
fire of love which ardently consumed blessed Robert and led him to spend
himself continually for Thy Church. Through our Lord.
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