A secret agent of the Vatican and a Doctor of the Church.

Peter was born on May 8, 1521, in the Duchy of Guelders, a part of the Netherlands.  His father, Jacob Kanis, was a wealthy burgomeister and his mother, Ægidia, died shortly after his birth.

He was sent to study at the University of Cologne, and earned a Masters by the age of 19.  While there, he met Peter Faber, one of the founders of the Jesuits and he became the 1st Dutchman to join the new society.  At the age of 25 he was ordained.

With his preaching and writings, he became one of the most influential Catholics of his time.  He supervised the founding and maintenance of the first German-speaking Jesuit colleges where he also taught.  His influence even reached Emperor Ferdinand I.

In 1547 he attended several sessions at the beginning of the Council of Trent and was offered to be Bishop of Vienna several years later but declined so as to continue his travels and ministry.

He moved to Germany, was one of the main theologians at the Colloquy of Worms, and was a popular preacher.  He reformed the German universities from heresy, winning over their hearts by ministering to the sick and dying during a plague.

He venerated the Blessed Virgin Mary and added to the Hail Mary Prayer the sentence, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners”. 

In 1562 he founded what was to become the University of Innsbruck.

Once the Council of Trent was complete, the Pope wanted to issue the decrees out to all of the European bishops.  What would be a simple errand today, was a dangerous assignment in the 16th century.  The 1st envoy hadn’t made it through the territory of hostile Protestants and thieves, and they needed someone courageous but above suspension.  Peter met their requirements.

By the age of 43, he was well known and even his university was respected by the Protestants.  He was given a cover as an official “visitor” of Jesuit foundations and set off from Rome.  He crisscrossed Germany successfully while loaded down with the Tridentine tomes, each of 250 pages, and made all of the deliveries.

He settled in Fribourg and founded the Jesuit College Saint Michel.  Most of his work was translated into almost every language of Europe.

At the age of 70 he suffered a stroke which left him partially paralyzed, but he continued to preach and write.  He died several years later on December 21, 1597.

He lived during the height of the Protestant Reformation and dedicated much of his work to the clarification of the Catholic faith.  He is a Doctor of the Church, and his 3 Catechisms are his lasting contributions which became widespread.

He is the patron saint of Catholic press, and of Germany.

His feast day is December 21.

For God’s Glory.