Peter Canisius, St (1521-1597)

Dutch Jesuit theologian. He became a Jesuit in 1543 and founded the first house of the Society in Germany, at Cologne. From 1549 he preached and lectured against Protestantism in Bavaria, Vienna, and Prague. He became the first provincial of the Society in Germany in 1556. The re-establishment of Roman Catholicism in Germany was due largely to his zeal. His catechism, Summa Doctrinae Christianae, was authorized in 1566. He was canonized and declared a doctor of the Church in 1925. Peter was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands. His feast day is 21 December.