On the Canonization and Veneration of the Saints

Press, Mediatrix

Bellarmine, St. Robert

Grant (Translator), Ryan

Religion & Spirituality

lulu.com

St. Robert Bellarmine's work in defense of the saints, their place in heaven, their canonization and veneration, etc., ranks like all of his works among the classical works of Catholic Theology. In this work, Bellarmine meets the attack of Protestantism against Catholic teaching on the saints, firstly on their own ground with sound Scriptural Exegesis, backed up by the witness of the Greek and Latin Church. The great counter-reformation doctor begins the work with a treatise on whether the souls of the saints receive a particular judgment and go to heaven or await for the end of time suspended as it were in some hidden place; then what canonization is, who does it and what is its authority; then lastly, whether the saints may be venerated and invoked.

Christian Books & Bibles

On the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

St. Robert Bellarmine was one of the best known of the Counter-Reformation theologians by both friend and foe. His apologetic writings were the most widely read treatises on theological subjects during the 17th century, and they also brought numerous conversions to the Catholic faith. Now for the first time, St. Robert's amazing treatises are available to you in English! In this treatise on the Sacrifice of the Mass, St. Robert divides his work into two topics: That the Mass is a Sacrifice, and secondly, the nature of that Sacrifice, namely that the Mass is propitiatory, beneficial to others, and that the ceremonies of the Mass are ancient and pleasing to God. St. Robert takes the fight to the Protestants on their own ground, defending the Mass from Scripture and how the Church Fathers understood it. Then he argues from the consensus of Greek and Latin Fathers and the whole history of the Church to defend the Mass as a sacrifice instituted by Christ Himself. "St. Robert Bellarmine is a masterful defender of the Catholic faith, a prince of apologists. The controversy over whether the Holy Mass is a true and proper sacrifice was--and is--among the most hotly debated questions dividing Catholics and Protestants. Bellarmine's almost unbelievable erudition is on full display as he thoroughly proves the Catholic doctrine by marshaling arguments from Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, and human reason. But the real thrill for lovers and scholars of liturgy comes in his defense of the various prayers and ceremonies of the Roman Rite of Mass. Here is a commentary on the Tridentine Mass by one of the greatest theologians of the Tridentine era." --Dr. John Joy, President of the St. Albert the Great Center for Scholastic Studies "St. Robert Bellarmine, in this section of the De Controversiis, provides the reader with an unparalleled defense of the Catholic theology of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Many of objections raised and refuted by St. Robert are still applicable today amidst the various theological speculations of our times. Steeped in the tradition of the Church, this text addresses many aspects of the theology of the Mass in a depth not seen in writings of modern authors. The timeliness of the book is evident in our current historical context as many priests and faithful are taking a fresh look at the ancient rite of Mass." --Fr. Chad Ripperger, SMD "For five years in Chablais, I preached with no books other than the Bible, and the Great Bellarmine."--St. Francis de Sales

Mediatrix Press

The Eternal Happiness of the Saints is written by a Doctor of the Church, St Robert Bellarmine whose works are widely sought after but many have yet to be translated into English. This book is St Bellarmine's reflections on the Kingdom of God in Heaven and how we should lift our thoughts up to Heaven, our hoped for last end.

The Eternal Happiness of the Saints

St. Athanasius Press

St. Robert Bellarmine's treatises on the main controversies in Theology between Catholics and Protestants is unparalleled in its breadth and depth of scholarship and argumentation--4 centuries later.In the second installment of the Controversies, Bellarmine takes up the Controversies on Councils, the Church Militant, and the Marks of the Church so as to present the totality of the Catholic teaching on Ecclesiology and refute the arguments of the Protestants of his day, preeminently Luther, Calvin and Ochenius, and in addition, Greek Orthodox objections.Bellarmine's work in this area was not only standard reading, but the foundation of all subsequent treatises on Ecclesiology. For the first time, these treatises are available in English.

De Controversiis II: On the Church, vol. 1

“How To Combine Marian Apologetics And Marian Devotion With St. Robert Bellarmine”  Doctor of the Church, St. Robert Bellarmine, the nephew of Pope Marcellus II, was one of the Church’s most prolific writers and best teachers. So much so, that many people in Rome flocked to his classes. Even members of the hierarchy wanted class notes from his students.  He was so highly regarded in the Jesuit Order that he was assigned to preach before he was ordained a priest.  When Pope Clement VIII created St. Robert a cardinal, he attested: “The Church of God has not his equal in learning.”  He wrote many works in defense of Catholic doctrine, and was a first class apologist. The Protestants set up chairs of theology specifically to fight against him, because even they recognized his genius. They said St. Robert presented their teachings even better than they did. He had thoroughly studied what they taught, and effectively refuted their errors at every point.  Like all Saints, he had a tender devotion to Mary. And he wrote about her in many places of his works, even defending her Immaculate Conception centuries before it was defined.  This little book, “The Marian Writings of St. Robert Bellarmine”, presents, for the first time, all of his Marian works in one convenient volume. These writings were taken from the many volumes and thousands of pages of his collected works.  Imagine sitting at the feet of this great Saint, and learning not only how to love Mary, but also what to believe about her. Well, you don’t have to imagine it. This little book makes it all possible.  In its clearly written pages, you’ll learn… 1. how you can defend Mary with great confidence 2. the only defense of the Hail Holy Queen (The Protestants even attacked this great prayer.) 3. the brilliant arguments he used defend Mary’s Immaculate Conception centuries before it was solemnly defined by the Church.  You’ll be guaranteed not to spin your wheels when it comes to defending Mary. And you’ll save tons of time: (1) because all of his Marian writings are finally in one place; and (2) because his writing style is clear and concise, which makes learning Marian apologetics seem effortless. No cut corners. No wasted words.  You’ll learn the bulletproof arguments he used in defending Mary’s other privileges. You’ll discover many previously untranslated passages from the Fathers of the Church, which he used in his defense of Catholic doctrine.  If you want to see how a Saint and Doctor of the Church lived his own devotion to Mary, then check out the beginning of this book, because it contains previously untranslated biographical material about St. Robert’s life, specifically focused on how he lived his devotion to Mary.  You not only get to see what he taught about Mary, but also how he lived his devotion to her. So, you get the best of both worlds. And you won’t find this biographical information elsewhere.  And if that’s not enough to make you want to get your hands on this Marian “goldmine”, wait till you read the St. Robert’s previously untranslated Marian sermons.  “The Marian Writings of St. Robert Bellarmine” is so crammed full of effective and reliable information that we feel certain you will find in it what you need to grow in Marian devotion and increase your skills in Marian apologetics.  In a short time, after you’ve gone through “The Marian Writings of St. Robert Bellarmine”, you’ll look back at today and realize you made an excellent decision in getting your copy.  Order your copy of “The Marian Writings of St. Robert Bellarmine” – today. If, for any reason, you should be dissatisfied with the book, just return it and every penny of your money will be refunded immediately.

The Marian Writings of St. Robert Bellarmine

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

BEING now free from Public business and enabled to attend to myself, when in my usual retreat I consider, what is the reason why so very few endeavour to learn the "Art of dying Well," (which all men ought to know,) I can find no other cause than that mentioned by the Wise man: "The perverse are hard to be corrected, and the number of fools is infinite. (Ecclesiastes, i. 15) For what folly can be imagined greater than to neglect that Art, on which depend our highest and eternal interests; whilst on the other hand we learn with great labour, and practise with no less ardour, other almost innumerable arts, in order either to preserve or to increase perishable things? Now every one will admit, that the "Art of dying Well" is the most important of all sciences; at least every one who seriously reflects, how after death we shall have to give an account to God of everything we did, spoke, or thought of, during our whole life, even of every idle word; and that the devil being our accuser, our conscience a witness, and God the Judge, a sentence of happiness or misery everlasting awaits us. We daily see, how when judgment is expected to be given, even on affairs of the slightest consequence, the interested party enjoy no rest, but consult at one time the lawyers, at another the solicitors, now the judges, and then their friends or relations. But in death when a "Cause" is pending before the Supreme Judge, connected with life or death eternal, often is the sinner compelled, when unprepared, oppressed by disease, and scarcely possessed of reason, to give an account of those things on which when in health, he had perhaps never once reflected. This is the reason why miserable mortals rush in crowds to hell; and as St. Peter saith, "If the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 1st of St. Peter, iv. 1 I have therefore considered it would be useful to exhort myself, in the first place, and then my Brethren, highly to esteem the "Art of dying Well." And if there be any who, as yet, have not acquired this Art from other learned teachers, I trust they will not despise, at least those Precepts which I have endeavoured to collect, from Holy Writ and the Ancient Fathers.

The Art of Dying Well

Excerpt: CHAPTER I. HE WHO DESIRES TO DIE WELL, MUST LIVE WELL I NOW commence the rules to be observed in the Art of dying well. This art I shall divide into two parts: in the first I shall speak of the precepts we must follow whilst in good health; in the other of those we should observe when we are dangerously ill, or near death’s door. We shall first treat of those precepts that relate to virtue; and afterwards of those which relate to the sacraments: for, by these two we shall be especially enabled both to live well, and to die well. But the general rule, “ that he who lives well, will die well,” must be mentioned before all others: for since death is nothing more than the end of life, it is certain that all who live well to the end, die well; nor can he die ill, who hath never lived ill; as, on the other hand, he who hath never led a good life, cannot die a good death. The same thing is observable in many similar cases: for all that walk along the right path, are sure to arrive at the place of their destination; whilst, on the contrary, they who wander from it, will never arrive at their journey’s end. They also who diligently apply to study, will soon become learned doctors; but they who do not, will be ignorant. But, perhaps, some one may mention, as an objection, the example of the good thief, who lived ill and yet died well. This was not the case; for that good thief led a holy life, and therefore died a holy death. But, even supposing he had spent the greater part of his days in wickedness, yet the other part of his life was spent so well, that he easily repented of his former sins, and gained the greatest graces. For, burning with the love of God, he openly defended our Saviour from the calumnies of His enemies; and filled with the same charity towards his neighbour, he rebuked and admonished his blaspheming companion, and endeavoured to convert him. He was yet alive when he thus addressed him, saying: “Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done no evil.” (St. Luke 23:40, 41.) Neither was he dead when, confessing and calling upon Christ, he uttered these noble words: “Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.” The good thief then appeared to “have been one of those who came last into the vineyard, and yet he received a reward greater than the first.” True, therefore, is the sentence, “ He who lives well, dies well;” and, “He who lives ill, dies ill.” We must acknowledge that it is a most dangerous thing to deter till death our conversion from sin to virtue: far more happy are they who begin to carry the yoke of the Lord “from their youth,” as Jeremiah saith; and exceedingly blessed are those, “who were not defiled with women, and in whose mouth there was found no lie: for they are without spot before the throne of God. These were purchased from among men, the first-fruits to God and to the Lamb.” (Apoc. 14:4, 5.) Such were Jeremias, and St. John, “more than a prophet;” and above all, the Mother of our Lord, as well as many more whom God alone knoweth. This first great truth now remains established, that a good death depends upon a good life.

176 pages. Catholic book by Saint Robert Bellarmine. The Art of Dying Well. A classic among Catholic writings. Excerpt: PREFACE OF BELLARMINE BEING now free from Public business and enabled to attend to myself, when in my usual retreat I consider, what is the reason why so very few endeavour to learn the "Art of dying Well," (which all men ought to know, ) I can find no other cause than that mentioned by the Wise man: "The perverse are hard to be corrected, and the number of fools is infinite. (Ecclesiastes, 1:15) For what folly can be imagined greater than to neglect that Art, on which depend our highest and eternal interests; whilst on the other hand we learn with great labour, and practise with no less ardour, other almost innumerable arts, in order either to preserve or to increase perishable things? Now every one will admit, that the "Art of dying Well" is the most important of all sciences; at least every one who seriously reflects, how after death we shall have to give an account to God of everything we did, spoke, or thought of, during our whole life, even of every idle word; and that the devil being our accuser, our conscience a witness, and God the Judge, a sentence of happiness or misery everlasting awaits us. We daily see, how when judgment is expected to be given, even on affairs of the slightest consequence, the interested party enjoy no rest, but consult at one time the lawyers, at another the solicitors, now the judges, and then their friends or relations. But in death when a "Cause" is pending before the Supreme Judge, connected with life or death eternal, often is the sinner compelled, when unprepared, oppressed by disease, and scarcely possessed of reason, to give an account of those things on which when in health, he had perhaps never once reflected. This is the reason why miserable mortals rush in crowds to hell; and as St. Peter saith, "If the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 1st of St. Peter, 4:1 I have therefore considered it would be useful to exhort myself, in the first place, and then my Brethren, highly to esteem the "Art of dying Well." And if there be any who, as yet, have not acquired this Art from other learned teachers, I trust they will not despise, at least those Precepts which I have endeavoured to collect, from Holy Writ and the Ancient Fathers. But before I treat of these Precepts, I think it useful to inquire into the nature of death; whether it is to be ranked among good or among evil things. Now if death be considered absolutely in itself, without doubt it must be called an evil, because that which is opposed to life we must admit cannot be good. Moreover, as the Wise man saith: "God made not death, but by the envy of the devil, death came into the world."! Wisdom 1:11. verses 13, 24. With these words St. Paul also agrees, when he saith: "Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death: and so death passed upon all men in whom all have sinned." Romans 5:12. If then God did not make death, certainly it cannot be good, because every thing which God hath made is good, according to the words of Moses: "And God saw all things that he had made, and they were very good." But although death cannot be considered good in itself, yet the wisdom of God hath so seasoned it as it were, that from death many blessings arise.

A Commentary on the Book of Psalms

A commentary on the book of Psalms by a brilliant Saint, Robert Bellarmine. Let this Saint help enlighten you to penetrate the Truths expressed therein.

Caritas Publishing

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bellarmine, St. Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Bellarmine, St. Robert

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Bellarmine, St. Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

On the Canonization and Veneration of the Saints

On the Canonization and Veneration of the Saints

On the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Eternal Happiness of the Saints

De Controversiis II: On the Church, vol. 1

The Marian Writings of St. Robert Bellarmine

The Art of Dying Well

The Art of Dying Well

The Art of Dying Well

A Commentary on the Book of Psalms