Category:Saint Peter Damian

Saint Peter Damian - Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church also known as Petrus Damiani, Pietro Damiani, and Pier Damiani Born: c. 1007 in Ravenna Died: February 21/22, 1072 in Faenza Honored in: Roman Catholic Church Feast: February 21 earlier February 23 (General Roman Calendar, 1823-1969) Attributes: represented as a cardinal bearing a knotted rope in his hand; also as a pilgrim holding a papal Bull; Cardinal's hat, Benedictine monk's habit

(c. 1007-(five years after the death of the Emperor Otto III) – February 21/22, 1072). One source says that his birth was in 988 and another states it as being in 1007. It is unclear as to which one is accurate.

February 23 — ST. PETER DAMIAN, O.S.B.

ST. PETER DAMIAN was born in 988, and lost both parents at an early age. His eldest brother, in whose hands he was left, treated him so cruelly that a younger brother, a priest, moved by his piteous state, sent him to the University of Parma, where he acquired great distinction. His studies were sanctified by vigils, fasts, and prayers, till at last, thinking that all this was only serving God by halves, he resolved to leave the world. He joined the monks at Font-Avellano, then in the greatest repute, and by his wisdom and sanctity rose to be Superior. He was employed on the most delicate and difficult missions, amongst others the reform of ecclesiastical communities, which was effected by his zeal. Seven Popes in succession made him their constant adviser, and he was at last created Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. He withstood Henry IV. of Germany, and labored in defence of Alexander II. against the Antipope, whom he forced to yield and seek for pardon. He was charged, as Papal Legate, with the repression of simony; again, was commissioned to settle discords amongst various bishops, and finally, in 1072, to adjust the affairs of the Church at Ravenna. He was laid low by a fever on his homeward journey, and died at Faenza, in a monastery of his order, on the eighth day of his sickness, whilst the monks chanted matins around him.

Reflection.—The Saints studied, not in order to be accounted learned, but to become perfect. This only is wisdom and true greatness, to account ourselves as ignorant, and to adhere in all things to the teachings and instincts of the Church. Excerpt from Lives of the Saints, 1894 by Alban Butler, Benziger Brothers edition, 1894