Born at Nijmegen, St. Peter Canisius belonged to the Society of Jesus. With St. Boniface he shares the title of Apostle of Germany. By his preaching, his devotional and controversial books, the colleges that he founded, and his missions undertaken on behalf of four popes to German bishops and princes, he successfully worked against the spread of Protestantism. It is largely due to him that the Rhineland and Austria remained faithful to the Holy See. He was present at the Council of Trent as a theologian and drew up the first catechism in accordance with the requirements of the Council. St. Peter Canisius died at Fribourg in Switzerland on December 21, 1597. He was canonized and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pius XI.