St. Peter Church

St. Peter Damian, Doctor of the Church, was born sometime around the year 988 in Ravenna.  Orphaned at a young age, Peter was left in the charge of one of his brothers who treated him like a slave rather than a kinsman.  Another of Peter’s brothers, the archpriest of Ravenna, took pity on him and undertook to give him an education, in which he excelled; Peter eventually became a professor.  Even from his youth Peter was devout; he gave much away in alms, brought the poor in to eat with him at his table, wore a hairshirt, and prayed and fasted extensively.  In time, Peter resolved to enter monastic life, and he joined the Benedictines.  His abbot named Peter his successor, in which role he founded hermitages and encouraged his brothers in a life of prayer.  When he was later made the cardinal-bishop of Ostia, Peter worked to eliminate simony, and warned against “too comfortable living.”  When finally permitted to retire, Peter was pleased to be able to return to his life as a simple monk.  St. Peter Damian died on February 22, 1072, and his feast day is February 21.
 
Sources:  www.ewtn.com; www.catholic.org; www.franciscanmedia.org

Wednesday, March 6
Masses at 7 am and 5:30 pm