The Autobiography of St. Robert Bellarmine

"During another chaotic time in the Church, St Philip Neri used to tell his directees that he didn't care what they read, as long as the author's name began with the letters ST. That advice is just as helpful today as it was then." -Fr. Philip Wolfe, FSSP, from the foreword.



The first English translation of St. Robert Bellarmine's autobiography is the only account of the saint currently in print. Though Bellarmine never set out to compose any writings, he always did so out of obedience. He wrote his autobiography for 2 of his brother Jesuits out of courtesy for their request to have an account of his life. It is very brief and was never intended for eyes other than theirs, nevertheless it was discovered and published in the 18th century, and became a great success. It is a brief and simple account of the life and travails of a great soul that loved Jesus Christ above all things.

Also contained in this volume are St. Robert's advice philosophy for writing sermons, and his many sermons on the Gospel Missus est, exploring the depths of the mysteries contained in the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin, taken from sermons that he preached in Italy while he was a Cardinal in Rome.