The Flying Dutchman

 Saint Peter Canisius was an extraordinary missionary, saint and man of his times. He was the first Jesuit Doctor of the Church. He was born in Holland and preached in practically every country of central Europe: Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Italy. He founded universities everywhere he went and never missed a chance to hear confessions and catechize in all the places he passed through. He is the patron saint of universities, catechists and the press. He was responsible for bringing back into the Church Austria, half of Switzerland and southern Germany. You know how he did it?

Besides his sanctity, extraordinary preaching abilities and tireless energies, he also took advantage of the press in his time:

a) He asked the popes (with whom he had a great friendship) to donate money to the Catholic printers of Germany

b) He asked for permission to have the German scholars edit the Roman manuscripts in Germany

c) He asked the city council of Fribourg to grant special privileges to the printers

d) He himself was always in touch with every principal Catholic printer of his time

e) He had foreign spiritual works translated into German

f) He advised the general superiors of all the religious congregations to create a college of authors and to print their works

g) He encouraged all missionaries to publish their experiences

That is how he won back entire nations to the Catholic Faith! He was so fantastic in his results that he was even admired and praised by the Protestants for his spiritual feats!

At his canonization, the cardinals were opposed in declaring him a saint, saying that he was in the habit of eating six times a day. His friends, however, defended him by reminding everyone that his work was equivalent to that of six men also!

. Through his contacts and friendship with Catholic publishers and printers, he made available to the German speaking world, the works of St. Cyril of Alexandria. This strengthened in those peoples, a love and devotion for the primacy of Peter and for our Our Lady. He also published the litany of Loreto and spread it to everyone. He would have German students study in Rome and then go back to evangelize their nation.

    Saint Peter was so wise, popular and holy that no one could withstand his arguments. He once had a debate with Melancthon, Luther's successor. Melancthon openly admitted that he was convinced about the true nature of the Catholic Church through the argumentation of Saint Peter, but that he still willfully wanted to remain a Protestant!  How is that for a sin against the light and the Holy Spirit!