The particular St Robert featured on this medal (from about a dozen possibilities) is Robert Bellarmine, patron of catechists and canonists. Only three years after studying with the Jesuits, he was appointed instructor and preacher to several Italian cities. Robert was so short in stature that he could not be seen from the pulpit without a stool; but he was an intellectual giant. According to Bert Ghezzi in 'Voices of the Saints': 'He taught himself Greek and Hebrew; became a university lecturer, professor and rector; edited the Latin Vulgate; debated prominent Protestants; served as theologian to two popes; wrote so many books that he was said to publish one a week, and so on.' Yet he was charitable and compassionate, sacrificing himself and his possessions to care for those in need. Always the teacher, he compared the final judgement to final exams: 'The school of Christ is the school of charity. On the last day, when the great general examination takes place, there will be no question at all on the texts of Aristotle, the aphorisms of Hippocrates, or the paragraphs of Justinian. Charity will be the whole syllabus.' His feast day is September 17.

This penny-sized sterling silver St Robert medal features Robert with a bishop's mitre and shepherd's staff, signs of his eccesiastical position; the book symbolizes his scholastic excellency. Subtle grey antiquing makes the image and name pop out; the 18 inch stainless steel chain is rhodium-plated to preserve its brilliance. Packaged in a green velvet hinged box.

Catalog number 142