Böcker av St. Robert Bellarmine

This catechism can be considered as a valid and effective catechetical tool for the work of the evangelization, a work which has to be realized with a new missionary zeal towards those who don't know the Catholic faith and as well towards those who know it defectively and insufficiently.May those who will read this catechism and those who will use it in the noble and meritorious work of teaching Christian doctrine, may be equipped with the sure and sacred doctrine of the Catholic faith, in order to stand, having their loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, they shall take the shield of faith, wherewith they shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (cf. Eph 6: 14-16). In this way they will be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks them the reason of their hope, with meekness and fear (cf. 1 Peter 3: 15-16).-Bishop Athanasius Schneider, from the ForewordFor the first time, St. Robert Bellarmine's long Catechism, written in the form of a dialogue, has been made available in the English Language. This Catechism was composed by St. Robert Bellarmine in 1598 and received Papal approbation from several Popes, most notably Pope Clement VIII and one of the greatest theologians to ever sit on the throne of St. Peter, Pope Benedict XIV. It was translated into Latin for use throughout the Church and has run through a number of editions throughout the centuries. Being written as a dialogue, it goes beyond the rote memorization of other catechisms (including that of Baltimore) by giving a deep explanation of the teachings of the faith with comparisons and parables. What is wholesome about this Catechism is not only the soundness of its doctrine, but the warmth that a great theologian that was accustomed to dealing with complicated matters of theology descends to lovingly explain the basic truths of faith in a manner that average laity can easily understand. It is not for nothing that St. Robert was made the Patron of all Catechists!

The Ascent of the Mind to God, stands apart from Bellarmine's Apologetic works. Written after a retreat in 1614, he christened it his "Benjamin", because it was born in old age, and the first of many other spiritual works which have been popular for centuries.The Ascent proposes 15 steps of a ladder, beginning with man, the microcosm of all creation, being a development of Homo creates est which are found in the first principle of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. Moving the microcosm, he turns his attention to the macrocosm, nature, the elements, the heavens, and then the heavens above, the angels and the very nature of God. St. Robert stops at each step to search out the vestige of God within creation, and to challenge the soul to consider its final end at each turn.Every movement up this ladder is a lesson in itself of holy wisdom, drawn from the pages of Sacred Scripture, assisting men in being more prayerful, and assist them in finding time for contemplation in their busy lives. St. Robert draws on his own experience, as he was a contemplative mystic in spite of his very busy life, and exhorts the reader to overcome struggles of prayer and focus on God, which he undoubtedly had to fight back at every turn.Published here in a new translation, the Ascent of the Mind to God by the Ladder of Creation will help the reader:-to contemplate God in everyday things;-to challenge their life, habits, and vices;-to fight distraction in prayer;-to see in all things the power, beauty, wisdom, mercy, and also justice of God.This books is ideal for personal prayer and meditation, or for making a visit to the blessed Sacrament, whether in a Church or an hour of adoration.

St. Robert Bellarmine is perhaps one of the greatest controversial writers of all time.Though a humble, short and unassuming Italian Jesuit, he came to dominate the European theological scene until the time when the loss of Latinity relegated him to a more general obscurity.On the Marks of the Church is the 4th book of Bellarmine's 2nd volume of the Controversies. In it, he proposes 15 Marks all of which are an extension of the 4 marks which are put forth in the Nicene-Constantinoplan Creed. In proposing each mark, Bellarmine examines what it entails, how it is proved in the history of the Church and how it disproves the teachings of Protestantism. This is more than an apologetic work, however, as it also brings to the fore many important distinctions of consequence in Theology.Cardinal Franzelin taught, in his work De Divina Traditione, that the teaching of the Theologians often serves as a foundation for later Ex Cathedra definitions of Popes and Councils. Just as St. Thomas Aquinas featured so prominently at the Council of Trent so also Bellarmine, more than any other theologian influenced Vatican I.In On the Marks of the Church, Bellarmine proposes 15 Marks of the True Church, Catholicity; Antiquity; Long Duration; The Multitude of Believers; Apostolic Succession of Bishops; Agreement with the Ancient Church; The Unity of the Church; The Holiness of Doctrine; The Efficacy of Doctrine; Holiness of the Fathers; The Glory of Miracles; The Light of Prophecy; Confession of our Adversaries; The Unhappy End of Those who Oppose the Church; and at length, The Happiness of Those who Defend the Church. In proposing these Marks, Bellarmine presents what they entail, how the Catholic Church is described by each of these Marks, and refutes Protestant teaching or attacks upon these specific Marks, in his usual style of quoting the Protestant author at length and in context, then refuting their arguments with the clear light of Holy Scripture and the Church Fathers.In this highly readable translation, provided by Ryan Grant (The Translator for the Canisius Catechism), you can read firsthand Bellarmine's mastery of the Scripture and the Fathers as he combats the errors of his day which, more often than not, are the errors of our own day or at least their root.