St. Peter Damian

St. Peter Damian
(1007-1072)
The feast was placed in the liturgical calendar and Peter Damian was declared a Doctor of the Church only in 1828. Born at Ravenna, Italy, and after manifesting unusual intellectual gifts, he began to teach in the university at the age of 21. Seven years later he retired to the solitude of Fonte Avellana to live a penitential life. There he composed the Rule for the Camaldolese hermits and was elected prior. However, he was called out of the eremitical life by Emperor Henry III and by Pope Stephen X, who made him Bishop of Ostia and a Cardinal. He resigned from the See of Ostia in 1067 after failing to reconcile the papacy and the empire. At various times he served as papal legate in France, Germany and numerous places in Italy. In addition to his theological treatises, he is the author of the life of St. Romuald, founder of the Camaldolese hermits. He worked zealously to overcome the two principal vices of the clergy of his time: simony and immorality.

As a peacemaker and reformer, Peter Damian was a forerunner of the reforms instituted by Pope Gregory VII. He died on February 22, 1072, and his cult was popular in the area of Ravenna and in the Camaldolese Order. In the Divine Comedy Dante places St. Peter Damian in the seventh heaven, among the comtemplatives.

Reflection

St. Peter Damian was a teacher and model of Christian life. We are urged to imitate his life “by making Christ and the service of His Church the first love of our lives. In one of his works he stated: “Monastic discipline is lax and far removed from its customary perfection; the majority of the clergy live mundane lives and laity fight and plunder one another.” He denounced the vices which increased hostility of his adversaries. He was even coldly rebuffed by Pope Leo IX, who had capitulated to the very persons that Peter was denouncing. Today we need most another Peter Damian who is courageous and can pass judgment on the decadence or corruption of public morality. We must never compromise the gospel.

Another point which encourages us to imitate Peter Damian was his dedicated service to the Church. For him every Christian is a “little church”, capable of realizing in himself/herself the relationship of Christ to His Church. Lastly, “Do not prefer anything to the love of Christ.” This is not only ideal for the monastic life but an imperative for every true Christian who lives according to the gospel. (From the Rule of St. Benedict.)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us live our life according to the teachings and example of St. Peter Damian, by making Christ and the service of His Church our first love so that through this first love we come to the joys of eternal Light. Amen.

by Fe Marina S. Siacon