THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE, SJ. BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
THE FEAST OF ST ROBERT BELLARMINE. BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.
"A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
"Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
"When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
"Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
"Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
"Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;
hence, she has shown great love.
"But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
"The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
"But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7: 36 - 50).
Thursday 17th September 2026 in the 24th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Robert Bellarmine of the Society of Jesus. (1542 - 1620). Italian. Bishop, Cardinal, Apologist and Patron Saint of Catechists.
Robert Bellarmine resided in Rome during most of his work life. The poor of Rome came to know him well and called him "the new poor one," reminiscent of St Francis of Assisi, the original poor man of Assisi. Bellarmine shared his table regularly with the poor of the city of Rome.
Bellarmine was the nephew of Pope Marcellus II. St Robert
Bellarmine was a renowned scholar, a great apologist and contributed immensely to the Council of Trent and the reforms mandated by the Council.
In spite of all these encomiums, Bellarmine could say with Paul:
"By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective."
September 17th is also the feast of St Hildegard of Bingen: (1098 - 1179). German. Benedictine. Virgin and Doctor of the Church.
The incredibly talented Hildegard wore many hats: Mother superior, theologian, teacher and preacher, scientist, gynecologist, musician, etc.
St Hildegard is the patron saint of musicians and writers.
"Saved by faith!
"Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7: 50)
Jesus said these words to the woman described as a "sinful woman" in Luke 7: 36 – 50.
This woman's faith in Jesus brought her not only forgiveness of her many sins but spiritual healing as well. Faith is to accept God's word as true.
Which word of God do I need to accept as true here and now?
My sins are forgiven.
God is my Father.
God's mighty and merciful providence is guiding, protecting and providing for me every moment of my life.
Lord Jesus, I believe. Help my unbelief.
I accept every promise of God in Bible as true.
God is faithful beyond compare. The Scriptures boost that God remembers His promises for a thousand generations. That is to say, forever!
In September, the Church honors the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.
St Robert Bellarmine, SJ our Saint of today had a notably deep and lifelong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Accounts of his life describe his daily recitation of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin and the Rosary, his Saturday fast in Mary’s honor, and his strong theological defense of her privileges, including support for the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception long before it was defined as dogma.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows obtain for us mercies from her Son Jesus.
For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:
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