Saint Peter Canisius was a Jesuit priest at the height of the many Protestant reformations in 16th century Europe. He is known as a prolific Catholic theologian, preacher, teacher and evangelizer.
Canisius was born in 1521 in the city of Nijmegen, now in the Netherlands, son of the city’s burgermeister (mayor). At age 15, he studied at the University of Cologne, earning a master’s degree in 1540. Following his stewardship desire to serve God in the Church in Germany, he became the first Dutchman to join the newly formed Society of Jesus in 1543.
Canisius became one of the most influential Catholics of his time. Through his teaching, preaching and writing, he led an historic renewal of the Catholic faith in southern Germany and Austria. Canisius wrote a number of books, preached retreats, founded the first German-speaking Jesuit colleges, and cared for the sick, reputedly traveling more than twenty thousand miles on foot or horseback. Read More Here
