Who was St. Robert Bellarmine?

Robert Bellarmine was born on October 4, 1542, in Montepulciano, near Siena, and entered the Society of Jesus on September 20, 1560. He studied philosophy and theology in Padua and at Louvain, focusing, in Pope Benedict XVI’s words, “on St Thomas and the Fathers of the Church.” He became one of the most respected theologians of his age.

A teacher who wrote for everyone

Bellarmine wrote learned volumes, but one of his most popular works was a short catechism, the Dottrina cristiana (Christian Doctrine), written in 1597–1598. The pairing is worth noticing: the same mind that worked through the hardest questions of his day also took the trouble to explain the faith plainly to children and ordinary believers.

Cardinal, bishop, pastor

Pope Clement VIII made him a cardinal on March 3, 1599, and on March 18, 1602, appointed him Archbishop of Capua. In his three years as a diocesan bishop he distinguished himself, Benedict XVI recalled, “by his zeal as a preacher in his cathedral, by his weekly visits to parishes, by three Diocesan Synods and by a Provincial Council.” Even burdened with high office, he remained “first and foremost a pastor of souls.”

Bellarmine died in Rome on September 17, 1621. Pope Pius XI beatified him in 1923, canonized him in 1930, and proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1931. His feast falls on September 17.

What he offers Catholic families

Bellarmine combined rigor and charity: careful scholarship, clear explanation, and pastoral care. That is what Catholic School Compass tries to offer families. We document carefully, explain plainly, and write in charity for Catholics who see things differently. Our motto, Veritas in Caritate, “truth in charity,” echoes St. Paul’s call to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).