Born into a large family in 1007, a boy named Peter was orphaned at a young age. One of his older brothers took him in, but treated him terribly, until his brother Damian, a priest, rescued Peter from this situation. Damian cared for Peter and educated him, and out of love, Peter took this brother’s name for his surname. Peter excelled in school and in the faith and entered the Benedictine order. He loved reading scripture and was an excellent preacher. After rising to prior, he established five other hermitages and rose to be a cardinal. He fought corruption in the Church, and he spent his last years trying unsuccessfully to return to the contemplative life. He died of illness in 1072 while trying to reconcile a local church with the Pope.
CHALLENGE
St. Peter Damian was a prolific writer, and his many works earned him the title Doctor of the Church. One of his works is entitled The Book of Gomorrah, and it deals with a problem in his day of gravely immoral acts by clergy, acts which once again caused great scandal in the Church over the past several decades. Pray the Rosary today with the intention of the Blessed Mother giving the graces necessary to heal these wounds.
Thanks for subscribing to The Saint Challenge. If you’re enjoying it, forward it to a friend!
