As we get close to our celebration of Christmas, we hear of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Several weeks ago, I remember telling a parishioner that it is interesting how in response to Mary’s visit from the Angel Gabriel and the announcement that she would be the mother of the Lord, she did not confine herself to spend time in reflection and prayer, but she went out in an act of service in her visit to her cousin Elizabeth. During our Advent journey, how are we reaching out to others in their need? How are we evangelizing others in our words and our actions?
A week ago, we celebrated the feast day of St John of the Cross, Carmelite monk, mystic, poet, and Doctor of the Church. Today, we celebrate St Peter Canisius, another Doctor of the Church. Canisius was born in the Netherlands in 1521 in the era of the Protestant Reformation. As a young man, he met Peter Faber, a close friend of St Ignatius of Loyola and a member of the Jesuits. Canisius became the first Dutchman to join the Jesuits. He spent most of his priesthood serving in Germany. His ministry was so successful that he is known as the second Apostle of the Germans, the first being St Boniface who originally brought Christianity to that region of the world. As a young priest, Canisius could often be found visiting the sick or imprisoned in addition to his other priestly duties. After attending several sessions of the Council of Trent, he was later assigned to implement the decrees of that council in Germany. He taught in several universities there and was instrumental in establishing many colleges and seminaries. In addition, he wrote a catechism that explained the Catholic faith in a way that common people could understand, which was greatly needed in the era of the reformation. Dying in 1597, he was canonized a saint and named a doctor of the Church in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. In the midst of our Advent journey, may we unite our prayers with St Peter Canisius.
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