February 21

ST. PETER DAMIAN

St. Peter Damian was born in 1007, and was left an orphan as a little

child. He was taken in by an older brother who abused and starved him.

Another brother named Damian became aware of the boy's real situation. He

brought him to his own home. It was then that Peter's life took on a

whole new direction. He was treated with love, affection and care. So

grateful was he that when he became a religious he took the name Damian

after his loving brother. Damian educated Peter and encouraged his

studies. Peter eventually taught at the university while he was in his

twenties. He was thought of as a great teacher. But the Lord was

directing him in ways he could never have thought of.

Peter lived in times when many in the Church were too influenced by

secular goals. Peter realized that the Church is divine and has the grace

from Jesus to save all people. He wanted the Church to shine with the

holiness of Jesus. After seven years of teaching, he made the decision to

become a monk. He wanted to live the rest of his life in prayer and

penance. He would pray and sacrifice so that many people in the Church

would become holy. He went to a monastery of St. Romuald. Peter Damian

wrote a rule for the monks. He also wrote a life of their holy founder,

Romuald. Peter wrote many works of theology to help people deepen their

faith. Twice his abbot sent him to neighboring monasteries. He helped

the monks begin reforms that would encourage them to live closer to God.

The monks were grateful because Peter was so kind and respectful.

Peter was finally called from the monastery. He became a bishop and a

cardinal. He was sent on very important missions for various popes

throughout his long life. St. Peter Damian died in 1072 at the age of

eighty-three. Because he was a champion of truth and a peacemaker, he

was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1828. The poet Dante (who lived

from 1265 to 1321) recognized the greatness of St. Peter Damian. In his

poem, the "Divine Comedy," Dante places Damian in the "seventh heaven."

That was his place for holy people who loved to think about or contemplate

God.

Several years of St. Peter Damian's childhood were sad and unfortunate.

But he learned how to find the Lord with childlike trust. He used his

gifts to make Jesus and his Church more loved and appreciated. We can ask

St. Peter Damian to show us how to live generously for God.