VATICAN, 16 March 2006, the triple Jesuit Jubilee year,
including the 500th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Peter Faber, SJ
Born at Villaret, Savoy, Peter tended his father's sheep during the week, taught catechism to other children, and desired desperately to study. In 1525 Peter went to the University of Paris, lodged at the college of Sainte-Barbe, and shared the lodging with Francis Xavier. Both were among the first companions of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ordained in 1534, he was the only priest among them when they pronounced their private vows at Montmartre later that year. He was sent by the Pope first to Parma and Piacenza, and later to Germany to defend the faith. He was especially gifted at spiritual direction and leading people through the Spiritual Exercises, at which Ignatius thought him more gifted and capable than anyone else. He died in Rome in 1546, was beatified in 1872. His feast is August 8. More
BELGIUM, 2006, two personalized stamps, each se-tenant with Scott 2111
the creations of Fr. Roland Francart, SJ, of Belgium,
the first with Konrad Baumeister's 1881 painting of the first vows at Montmartre
showing Faber celebrating the Mass
the second with images of Loyola, Xavier
and Faber
and also St. Alberto Hurtado, the seal of the
Society and a logo of the Jubilee.