The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the feast day of St. Peter Canisius on Dec. 21.

According to Britannica, St. Peter Canisius was born in what is now the Netherlands in 1521 and died in Switzerland in 1597.

Peter earned a master’s degree from the University at Cologne at the age of 19, according to Franciscan Media. At this early age, he had already devoted himself to studying, reflecting, praying, and writing, and he spent a lot of time visiting the sick and imprisoned. For the majority of his life, he taught at universities and helped to establish colleges and seminaries. He also wrote a catechism that “common people” of the age could understand.

"Today is the feast of St. Peter Canisius," the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee wrote in a Dec. 21 Facebook post. "This doctor of the church was born in Holland and studied canon law in Belgium before turning to the study of theology in Germany. In 1543, after meeting St. Peter Faber, one of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s companions, he entered the Society of Jesus and soon became a well-known preacher.

"He attended two sessions of the Council of Trent and was an important figure in the post-conciliar Catholic revival in Europe. After completing his doctorate, St. Ignatius assigned him to renew the Catholic faith in Germany. As the Jesuit provincial in southern Germany, Austria and Bohemia, Peter Canisius started schools, colleges and seminaries. He wrote three catechisms in German and is credited with keeping the southern German peoples Catholic. St. Peter Canisius, please pray for us!"

“Doctor of the Church” is an official title that a Pope can bestow upon a person who has made significant and lasting contributions to the church, according to Crossroads Initiative. Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, only 36 people have ever been granted this title. There are three requirements to becoming a Doctor of the Church: “holiness that is truly outstanding, even among saints;” “depth of doctrinal insight;” and “an extensive body of writings which the church can recommend as an expression of the authentic and life-giving Catholic Tradition.”