St. Peter Canisius--Biographical Sketch
of the Venerable Servant of God
by Pope Pius IX, 1884


The heroic virtues of which the blessed Peter Canisins has given us an example, and the marked service that he has rendered to the Catholic Church, have conferred upon his memory an undying glory. Stanislaus Ilosins, the celebrated cardinal, calls him the hammer of heretics. According to Baronins, he was a very venerable man , whose praises are in the movihs of all Christians.

Canisius, according to the testimony of a great many writers, is the most brilliant star that has ever shone upon Germany.

Christ our Lord, having predicted that the gates of hell should never prevail against His Church, has in every age raised up valiant souls, who, armed with the double sword of sanctity and holy doctrine, have been charged with the mission of repressing the boldness, repelling the attacks, and resisting the violence of heretics, every time that the latter have endeavored to disturb the Church, and to cause dissension and trouble among her children.

It has frequently been seen, especially at the time of Luther, when that impious man, puffed up with satanic pride, declared openly against the Holy See, the bulwark and fortress of the Christian name, raised the standard of revolt, and began to spread innumerable errors, to corrupt the true Faith, and by that means caused the loss of many souls. It was not without a special dispensation of Providence, that, the same year, during which Ignatius of Loyola, the father and founder of the Society of Jesus, met with his dangerous but happy wound, whilst defending the Castle of Pampeluna, and who, quickly laying down the arms of earthly warfare, resolved henceforth to light only the Lord’s battles; that the same year, we repeat, saw the birth of the venerable servant of God, Peter Canisins, who, under the auspices of the same Ignatius, was destined to light courageously against enemies of a new character.



Litany of Blessed Peter Canisius


Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost,
have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy on us.

Heart of Jesus, Throne of Mercy,
have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Conceived without sin,
pray for us. *

Blessed Peter Canisius, *

Worthy disciple of St. Ignatius, *

Intrepid Defender of the Church, *

Apostle of Germany, *

Model of Priests and Religious, *

Sure guide in the Road of Virtue and Christian Perfection, *

Exact observer of the Evangelical Counsels, *

Marvel of Humility, *

Great Lover of Obedience, *

Admirable in your Chastity, *

Vase of Election, filled with Divine Love, Treasure of Grace and Holiness, *

Example of Charity and Gentleness, Martyr through your austere life, *

Devout servant of the Holy Angels, Zealous propagator of Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, *

Illustrious through your numerous Miracles, *

Immortal Glory of the Society of Jesus, Favored with a sublime Gift of Prayer, *

Burning with insatiable desire to labor and suffer for Jesus Christ, *

Converter of thousands of sinners, Surnamed the Hammer of Heretics, *

Thou whose credit is great before God, *


That we may ever preserve intact the inestimable treasure of the one true Catholic Faith,
We beseech you, hear us. **


That we may ever show ourselves the faithful children of our Holy Mother Church, **

That we may imitate your virtues, **

That we may be delivered from all evils, **

That thou wilt obtain us the precious grace of a happy death, **

That we may have the happiness of praising God with you throughout Eternity, **


Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the World,
spare us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the World,
graciously hear us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the World,
have mercy on us.


Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

V, Pray for us, Blessed Peter Canisius.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray.

O God, who for the defence of the Holy Catholic Faith, didst endow the Blessed Peter, Confessor, with strength and learning, grant, by his intercession, that the Church may see all errors dissipated, and may there be only one fold and one Shepherd. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.



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"Biographical Sketch of the
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