Innsbruck - On the occasion of the 500^th birthday of its patron saint, the Collegium Canisianum in Innsbruck has published a commemorative publication (“Festschrift”). Not only does it commemorate St. Peter Canisius, who was born in 1521 in Nijmegen, in what is now the Netherlands, it also aims to continue the history of the College from the last major writing in 1958 to the present day.

On more than 180 pages, the commemorative publication gives an insight into the life of the Canisianum with interesting reports and personal experiences, and makes the spirit that it fulfilled during this time and still fulfils today "tangible" and perceptible.

The international theological college under the auspices of the Jesuit Order is attended by students from all continents. "The Canisianum wants to help form excellent priests. This includes the formation of the brain and the heart. We Jesuits feel committed to this," writes Fr. Bernhard Bürgler SJ, Provincial of the newly founded Central European Province. Currently, 40 priests from 15 nations and 30 dioceses live in the Canisianum and are studying for their doctorates at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Innsbruck. "After successfully completing their studies, they will take on key positions in the Church, science, society and culture in their home countries," announces Fr. Andreas Schermann SJ, Rector of the Canisianum.

It is not only the foundation of the Jesuit College and the adjoining grammar school in Innsbruck that goes back to Petrus Canisius. "Innsbruck has benefited from his zeal for education. The foundation of the Jesuit College and the academic grammar school prepared the way for the first university in Innsbruck almost exactly 100 years later," writes Georg Willi, Mayor of the Provincial Capital of Innsbruck in his greeting.

Following the greetings of the Governor of the Province of Tyrol (Günther Platter), the Diocesan Bishop of Innsbruck (Hermann Glettler), the Mayor of the Provincial Capital of Innsbruck (Georg Willi), the Provincial of the Central European Province (Fr. Bernhard Bürgler SJ) and the foreword of the Rector of the Canisianum (Fr. Andreas Schermann SJ), there are numerous contributions divided into four chapters: On St. Peter Canisius and the Canisianum, on the Canisianum today and on the Feast of the Sacred Heart at the Canisianum; a particularly large part of the work is taken up by memories of studies and everyday life at the Canisianum from 1945 onwards.

A copy can be ordered via: Collegium Canisianum, Mag. Julia Klingler, Tel.: +43 (0)512 59463-25, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.