September 17 has given the Catholic Church some very important moments. On this day, great saints died, St. Francis of Assisi is traditionally remembered for receiving the wounds of Christ, an important peace agreement was made during Europe’s religious wars, and popes spoke about faith, peace, Christian unity and the Eucharist.
Here are 10 memorable events connected with Catholic Church history that happened on September 17.
1. September 17, 1179 – St. Hildegard of Bingen Dies
St. Hildegard of Bingen died on September 17, 1179, at her monastery in Rupertsberg, Germany. She was a Benedictine nun, abbess, writer, preacher and composer of sacred music.
She also wrote about nature, medicine and Christian life. This was unusual for a woman living more than 800 years ago. Hildegard believed that God had given her special visions, which she wrote about after receiving support from Church leaders.
Her writings later became very important in the Catholic Church. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI declared her a Doctor of the Church, a title given to saints whose teachings are especially important for Christians.
2. September 17, 1224 – St. Francis of Assisi Is Traditionally Remembered as Receiving the Stigmata
Catholic and Franciscan tradition connects September 17, 1224, with an extraordinary event in the life of St. Francis of Assisi.
While praying on Mount La Verna in Italy, Francis received marks on his body resembling the wounds of the crucified Jesus.
These marks are called the stigmata. Franciscans celebrate September 17 as the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis. Some historians say the exact day on which the event happened cannot be proved, although it happened in September 1224.
The event became one of the best-known parts of St. Francis’ life and showed his deep desire to follow Jesus completely.
3. September 17, 1550 – The Future Pope Paul V Is Born in Rome
Camillo Borghese, who would later become Pope Paul V, was born in Rome on September 17, 1550. He studied law and became very knowledgeable about the laws of the Catholic Church.
He later became a priest, bishop and cardinal. In 1605, he was elected pope and took the name Paul V. He led the Church until he died in 1621.
His name can still be seen on the front of St. Peter’s Basilica because important construction work on the great church was completed during his time as pope.
His life shows how a young man born in Rome eventually rose to become the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church.
4. September 17, 1577 – The Peace of Bergerac Addresses Catholic-Protestant Fighting in France
On September 17, 1577, the Peace of Bergerac brought an end to one stage of the terrible religious wars in France. Catholics and Protestants, who were called Huguenots in France, had been fighting one another for years.
King Henry III reached an agreement with Protestant leaders. The agreement allowed Protestant worship in some places but placed limits on where it could take place.
It also weakened Catholic political leagues that had formed during the conflict. Sadly, the peace did not last permanently, and religious fighting later returned.
This event reminds us of a painful period when disagreements about religion became mixed with political power and caused great suffering.
5. September 17, 1621 – St. Robert Bellarmine Dies
St. Robert Bellarmine died on September 17, 1621. He was a Jesuit priest, bishop, cardinal and one of the most important Catholic teachers of his time.
He lived during the years after the Protestant Reformation, when Catholics and Protestants strongly disagreed about many Christian teachings.
Bellarmine wrote books explaining and defending Catholic beliefs. He was also known for prayer, simple living and care for poor people.
Near the end of his life, he was allowed to retire to a Jesuit house in Rome, where he died. The Church later declared him a saint. Today, September 17 is the day on which the Catholic Church remembers St. Robert Bellarmine.
6. September 17, 1931 – St. Robert Bellarmine Is Declared a Doctor of the Church
Exactly 310 years after Robert Bellarmine died, another major honour was given to him. On September 17, 1931, Pope Pius XI declared St. Robert Bellarmine a Doctor of the Church.
He had already been declared a saint in 1930. A Doctor of the Church is not a medical doctor. It is a saint whose teaching and writings are considered especially helpful for understanding the Catholic faith. Bellarmine’s books explained important Catholic teachings about the Church, the Bible, the sacraments and other matters.
His recognition as a Doctor of the Church showed the lasting importance that the Catholic Church placed on his work as a teacher of the faith.
7. September 17, 1944 – Pope Pius XII Speaks to Catholic Allied Soldiers During World War II
On September 17, 1944, while the Second World War was still continuing, Pope Pius XII met members of the Holy Name Society serving in the Allied armed forces.
These were soldiers who were also members of a Catholic religious society devoted to honouring the name of Jesus. Rome had been liberated only a few months earlier, and much of Europe was still suffering from war.
The Pope reminded the soldiers that even though they served their countries, they were also Christians and should remain faithful to Jesus.
The meeting gives us a picture of the Church trying to care for the spiritual needs of Catholics serving during one of history’s most destructive wars.
8. September 17, 1977 – Pope Paul VI Takes Part in Italy’s National Eucharistic Congress
On September 17, 1977, Pope Paul VI took part in the 19th Italian National Eucharistic Congress in Pescara, Italy. A Eucharistic Congress is a large Catholic gathering centred on the Holy Eucharist and the celebration of Mass.
Catholics come together for prayer, teaching and worship, with special attention given to the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Pope Paul VI celebrated Mass during the gathering and encouraged Catholics to keep the Eucharist at the centre of their Christian lives.
The event came near the end of his pontificate; Paul VI died the following year. It remains an important event in the history of Catholic Eucharistic devotion in Italy.
9. September 17, 1993 – Pope John Paul II Visits the Monks of Camaldoli
On September 17, 1993, Pope St. John Paul II visited the Sacred Hermitage of Camaldoli in Italy. Camaldoli is connected with a Benedictine religious community founded by St. Romuald many centuries ago.
The monks combine community life with periods of quiet prayer and solitude. John Paul II spoke to them about choosing hope and choosing God.
He explained that choosing the future ultimately means choosing Christ, who gives hope to humanity. He also encouraged dialogue between Christians and people of other religions.
The visit showed the Pope’s support for monks and nuns whose quiet lives of prayer may be hidden from the world but remain important to the mission of the Church.
10. September 17, 2010 – Pope Benedict XVI Makes Historic Visits in London
On September 17, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI spent an important day in London during his visit to the United Kingdom. He addressed political and public leaders in the historic Westminster Hall, where he spoke about the place of faith and moral values in society.
He also visited Archbishop Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and later prayed with other Christians at Westminster Abbey.
These meetings were important because England had experienced centuries of division between Catholics and Anglicans following the Reformation.
Instead of focusing on old disagreements, Benedict encouraged friendship, dialogue and Christian unity. His visit became one of the most memorable Catholic events in modern British history.
Saints of the Day – St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Hildegard of Bingen
September 17 is closely connected with two Doctors of the Church: St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Hildegard of Bingen. Vatican News lists both among the saints remembered on this date.
Both saints died on September 17, although they lived more than 400 years apart.
St. Hildegard shows us that our talents can be used to serve God. She used writing, music, teaching and leadership.
St. Robert Bellarmine shows us the importance of learning our faith well and explaining it clearly to others.
Remarkably, two people remembered on the same calendar day would both eventually receive the rare title Doctor of the Church.
Special Franciscan Celebration – The Stigmata of St. Francis
September 17 also has special importance for the Franciscan family.
Franciscans celebrate the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi on this day. It remembers Francis receiving the marks of Christ’s wounds while praying at Mount La Verna in 1224.
Historical sources do not all agree that September 17 was the exact day, so it is safest to say that September 17 is the traditional Franciscan date of commemoration.
What Can We Learn From September 17?
September 17 gives us a powerful message about using our lives completely for God.
St. Hildegard used her intelligence, music and writing. St. Francis wanted to become more like Jesus. St. Robert Bellarmine used his education to teach the faith. Monks at Camaldoli dedicated their lives to prayer. Popes continued calling Christians toward faith, peace and unity.
Their lives were very different, but the lesson is simple:
God gives different people different gifts, responsibilities and opportunities. What matters is how we use them.
You may not become a pope, cardinal, famous writer or great saint. But you can use the gifts God has given you to serve Him and help the people around you.
Follow @ReadingCatholic
