π Life Timeline
1007
PPETER DAMIAN (St) Bp
1072
PETER DAMIAN (St) Bp
1057
tus, St John of Lodi, St Ralph of Gubbio, etc
1084
Canonized β 1084 by Pope Gregory VII
β Biography
PETER DAMIAN (St) Bp. Dr. O.S.B. R.M. Feb. 23 1007-1072. Born at Ravenna, the young- est of many children, he was left an orphan in charge of a married brother, who ill- treated him and set him to herd swine. Another brother, Damian, archpriest of Ravenna, took pity on the child and paid for his schooling at Faenza and Parma. Peter soon joined the Benedictine com- munity of Fontavellana, founded by BI Rudolph twenty years before. Enthus- iastically earnest in all his undertakings, Peter became a model monk, was chosen abbot and formed several saints in his school: St Dominic Loricatus, St John of Lodi, St Ralph of Gubbio, etc. In 1057 he was summoned to Rome and created cardinal-bishop of Ostia. He served succes- sive popes in various delicate missions: as legate to Germany, to France, to Lom- bardy, as president, or papal representa- tive, at sundry councils and synods; as visitor to bishoprics and abbeys. Mean- while he wrote unceasingly, mostly theo- logical or ascetical works, but also poetry, his Latin verse being among the very best of the Middle Ages. He died at Faenza worn out by his labours. Declared doctor of the Church in 1828, Cf. Zimm. β P. de U. β Chev. β Att. β Holw.
PETER ROQUE (Bl) M._ A.C. March 1 1758-1796. A native of Vannes in Brit- tany and a priest of the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) at Paris.
π‘ Patronage
Patron of: Church reformers, those fighting corruption, and those called to prophetic witness. Doctor of the Church.
π¬ Words of the Saint
The Church is not the property of the pope, but of Christ.
π Key Facts
Born
1007
Died
1072
Feast Day
February 21
Canonized
1084 by Pope Gregory VII
π Legacy
Peter Damian's reform efforts helped end the corruption of the 11th-century Church. His writings on clerical morality shaped medieval reform. He is one of the most important Doctors of the Church.