September 17 2024 - St. Robert Bellarmine - Learning and Virtue

 The Opening Prayer for the Mass referred to the Bishop Robert Bellarmine’s wonderful learning and virtue.

Regarding his learning: even as a youth in Tuscany, young St. Robert was devoted to studying Church History, the Fathers of the Church, and Scripture, He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1570, a time when the Church needed to address her teaching in light of rapidly spreading Protestant heresies.

St. Robert became a professor at what is now the Jesuit-run Gregorian University in Rome and his lectures there became the basis of his most famous work, his three-volume Disputationes de Controversiis Christianae Fidei adversus hujus temporis Haereticos—“Disputations Concerning the Controversies of the Christian Faith Against the Heretics of This Time” containing the lucid and uncompromising explanation of Catholic doctrine in light of errors of his day. He served as a theologian to the pope and published two important catechisms

Regarding his virtue: when he was made a Cardinal by Pope Clement VIII, St. Robert insisted on living a simple life rather than embracing the privileges he could have enjoyed.  He abstained from luxurious meals, and gave away many of his possession to clothe the poor.   

Bellarmine understood that if he were to combat the overwhelming heresies during the time of the Reformation, he would need to be guided by the powers above. It was for this reason that Bellarmine had an undying devotion to the Virgin Mary.  Each Saturday the saint would fast in her honor, and devoted every morning to the recitation of the Office of the Blessed Virgin.

Pope Pius XI said that  “Saint Robert Bellarmine is to be numbered among the greatest men in the history of the Church, whom God in His providence has endowed with exceptional learning and sanctity to teach the truths of the Catholic Faith and defend its integrity against the attacks of the heretics.”

Here was a man totally dedicated to Christ and His Church.  He is an example of the wise man in the Gospel who built his life on the solid rock of the Gospel because of his desire for heaven and to help others get there, too.

St. Bellarmine wrote: “if you are wise, then know that you have been created for the glory of God and for your eternal salvation.  This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.  If you reach this goal, you will find happiness.  If you fail to reach it, you will find misery.”

Through his intercession and that of Our Lady to whom he was so devoted, may we develop the learning and virtue God desires for us for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that like St. Robert Bellarmine, we may be steadfast in defending and explaining our faith with clarity and conviction, and that theologians and teachers of the faith, may be blessed with wisdom and virtue as they guide others in understanding Catholic doctrine. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those in positions of authority, that they may follow St. Robert's example of humility and simplicity, using their roles to serve others rather than seeking privilege. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those struggling with doubts or questions about their faith, that they may find clarity and renewed commitment to Christ and His Church, and that all of us may build our lives on the solid rock of the Gospel. Let us pray to the Lord.

That the sick and the poor may know the compassion and charity of the Church and the closeness of God in their afflictions.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, we bring these petitions before You on this memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine. Through his intercessions grant us what we truly need to keep our hearts fixed on the glory of Your kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

September 17 2021 - St. Robert Bellarmine - Sound Words and Religious Teaching

In today's first reading, we hear about how it is important that people are taught correctly regarding religion.  When I was a seminarian, a few years before ordination, the seminaries of the U.S. had a week-long apostolic visit from a team of bishops, priests, religious sisters and lay people, appointed by the Vatican. The team had been tasked by the Pope to investigate and ensure that we as seminarians were being properly taught and formed in our role as future priests, that our theology and moral ethics truly reflected what our Church teaches.  

Even in Cleveland, there were some changed that were made in response to that investigation in our seminary and in the seminaries throughout our country. For, there’s always a danger that secular attitudes toward morality might seep into the seminaries. So the Church certainly has a serious duty to train the teachers well, lest they teach what is false and malform the people. Malformed priests put souls at risk. Malformed pastors can malform their parishes.

In the first reading, St. Paul explains outlines this task to teach right doctrine to Timothy, the new Bishop of Ephesus. “Teach and urge these things. Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing”. This is a perennial duty of Bishops to ensure that right teaching, right religion is being taught in their diocese. 

This task is always difficult, there are always worldly pressures, especially when the culture, the secular world is going in a very different direction than the Church, as it is today. In his second letter to Timothy, Paul urges Bishop Timothy, make sure you are teaching the truth and preaching the Gospel in season and out of season, when the culture is lenient and when the culture is hostile.

Today’s saint, St. Robert Bellarmine was one of the great teachers of his age. He was a lecturer at the Gregorian University in Rome, and became will known for tackling the controversial issues of his day. His lectures can be read in a three-volume work called the Disputations on the Controversies.  

God gave Robert Bellarmine, doctor of the Church, wisdom and goodness to defend the faith--to vindicate the faith, as the collect said--and to help others understand it.  St. Bellarmine wrote: “if you are wise, then know that you have been created for the glory of God and for your eternal salvation.  This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.  If you reach this goal, you will find happiness.  If you fail to reach it, you will find misery.”

This is why right teaching is so important: Truth needs to be taught clearly that we may conform our minds and hearts and lives to God. For only “the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching” can lead us to the happiness for which we were created, and enable us to strive and to live for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Pope, Bishops, and Clergy may be well-formed in sound doctrine and teach that doctrine with clarity and courage.

For an end to indifference to God and human dignity in our government and educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes.

During this month of September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, we pray for all those who grieve, and that we may grieve sufficiently for our sins.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.

September 17 2019 - St. Robert Bellarmine - Adorned with learning and virtue

St. Robert Bellarmine was a brilliant man.  He was a promising scholar from his youth in Tuscany, and was devoted to studying Church History, the Fathers of the Church, and Scripture.  He was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1570, a time when the Church was being attacked by Protestant “Reformers.”

He became a professor at what is now the Jesuit-run Gregorian University in Rome and his lectures there became the basis of his most famous work, his three-volume Disputationes de Controversiis Christianae Fidei adversus hujus temporis Haereticos—“Disputations Concerning the Controversies of the Christian Faith Against the Heretics of This Time” containing the lucid and uncompromising explanation of Catholic doctrine in light of errors of his day.

When he was made a Cardinal by Pope Clement VIII, St. Robert insisted on living a simple life rather than embracing the privileges he could have had.  He abstained from luxurious meals, and gave away many of his possession to clothe the poor.   He served as a theologian to the pope and published two important catechisms.  St. Robert Bellarmine’s long delayed canonization took place in 1930 and he was declared a doctor of the Church one year later.

Here was a man totally dedicated to Christ and His Church.  He devoted his life to the study of Scripture and Catholic doctrine.  His writings, intelligence, and character served the church at a time that was most needed.  God gave Robert Bellarmine wisdom and goodness to defend the faith of His church and to help others understand it.

We are reminded of the need to learn and understand our faith in order to defend it when it is under attack and also to spread it when the time is right.  St. Bellarmine wrote: “if you are wise, then know that you have been created for the glory of God and for your eternal salvation.  This is your goal; this is the center of your life; this is the treasure of your heart.  If you reach this goal, you will find happiness.  If you fail to reach it, you will find misery.”

In the Gospel today for the memorial of Robert Bellarmine, the Lord himself teaches the danger of giving God lip-service, rather than seeking to conform your life to the Holy Will of God. “Not everyone who calls out, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.” This warning certainly keeps us vigilant, to consider all as loss, as St. Paul says, which keeps us from gaining Christ.

May we, like St. Robert Bellarmine, count all as loss, which does not help us to know and love Christ, to be adorned like him with learning and virtue, so to live the faith with joy for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That Robert Bellarmine, patron saint of Catechists, may assist with his prayers all those who teach the faith to be free of error and for the conversion of the heretics of our time.

That God’s wisdom may order our life, to pursue the treasures of heaven above all.

That the uninitiated who seek God may answer the call to Christian conversion and for the success of our parish RCIA programs.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests, deacons and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.