View

Saint Peter Canisius

1521–1597

Saint Peter Canisius, 1521–1597
December 21

Saint Peter Canisius lived when Protestants and Catholics were fighting each other. Peter knew that Jesus told us that we must love all people. We must even love people who are our enemies. Saint Peter wrote books explaining Catholic teaching. He said that we need to explain what we believe, but we must never be mean to people who don’t believe the same things. Instead, we must listen to them and live with them in love. Saint Peter also loved Mary very much. He often prayed "the Hail Mary."

Discuss: How can you love someone you don’t like?

Peter Canisius is a patron Saint of Germany and the Catholic press. He was a Jesuit priest, and is called an “Apostle of Germany” because he convinced many Catholics in the country to remain with the Church when Germany almost became entirely Protestant. Saint Peter Canisius is considered a Doctor of the Church because his many writings greatly influenced Church teaching. He established many Jesuit colleges in Germany.

Activity
Hail Mary
Visual/Spatial

Remind your child that praying the Hail Mary is one way that we honor Mary. Encourage him/her to pray this prayer whenever the intercession of Mary would be especially welcome.

  • Help your child think of some specific situations in which someone might ask Mary to intercede on their behalf.
  • Provide her/him with art supplies and ask her/him to create a piece of liturgical art that reflects the imagery of this prayer.
  • Pray together the Hail Mary.