Saint César De Bus

Biography

Saint César De Bus, also known as Caesar or Cesare, is recognized as the Apostle of the Catechism. Born on February 3, 1544, in Cavillon, Vaucluse, France, he was the seventh of thirteen children, raised in a pious household. At the age of 18, César joined the military and fought against the Huguenots in the war. Later, he joined the navy specifically to participate in the siege of La Rochelle, but due to illness, he was unable to engage in combat. Following his military service, César spent three years in Paris, France, dedicated to pursuing his interests in poetry, painting, and a luxurious, frivolous lifestyle. However, his life took a significant turn one night as he was on his way to a masked ball. Passing a shrine where a small light burned before an image of the Virgin Mary, he suddenly felt overwhelmed by the memory of his friend, Antoinette Reveillade, fervently praying for his salvation. In that moment, he realized the futility of living a life that offended God while expecting eventual acceptance. This encounter on the road sparked a complete conversion in César. In 1582, César was ordained as a priest, and he served as a canon in Avignon. Subsequently, he encountered the biography of Saint Charles Borromeo, a figure who deeply influenced him and became a model in his life, particularly in matters of devotion to catechesis. In the midst of the religious conflicts of the time, César worked as a catechist in Aix-in-Provence, France, striving to bring the teachings of the Catholic faith to the people. César's dedication and exceptional work as a catechist attracted the attention of Saint Francis de Sales, who referred to him as "a star of the first magnitude in the firmament of Catechesis." Inspired by his commitment, César founded the Ursulines of Province and the Fathers of Christian Doctrine, also known as the Doctrinarians. While the Fathers of Christian Doctrine were sadly destroyed during the French Revolution, an Italian branch called the Doctrinarian Fathers continues their mission today, with houses in Italy, France, and Brazil. Upon his death on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1607, in Avignon, Vaucluse, France, César was interred in the church of Saint Mary in Monticelli in Rome, Italy. Recognizing his exemplary virtues, Pope Pius VII declared him venerable on December 8, 1821. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI on April 27, 1975. Finally, on May 15, 2022, Pope Francis canonized Saint César De Bus, officially recognizing his holiness and sanctity. The canonization miracle attributed to him involved the healing of a young woman with "meningitis in a patient with cerebral hemorrhage" in 2016 in Salerno, Italy. Today, Saint César De Bus is honored as the patron saint of catechists and the Christian Doctrine Fathers. His unwavering commitment to the transmission of Catholic teachings and his dedication to spreading the faith make him an inspiration to all those involved in religious education.