From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
April 29th - St. Peter of Verona, Martyr, Mystic
d.1252
St. Peter Martyr was born at Verona in 1205 of parents who belonged to
the sect of the Cathari, a heresy which closely resembled that of the Albigenses and included amongst its tenets a denial that the material
world had been created by God. The child was sent to a Catholic
school, in spite of the remonstrances of an uncle who discovered by
questioning the little boy that he had not only learnt the Apostles=E2=80=
=99
Creed, but was prepared stoutly to maintain in the orthodox sense the
article =E2=80=9CCreator of Heaven and earth=E2=80=9D.
At Bologna University Peter found himself exposed to temptations of
another sort amid licentious companions, and soon decided to seek
admission into the Order of Preachers. Having received the habit from
St. Dominic himself, the young novice entered with zeal into the
practices of the religious life. He was always studying, reading,
praying, serving the sick, or performing such offices as sweeping the
house.
Later on we find him active as a preacher all over Lombardy. A heavy
trial befell him when he was forbidden to teach, and was banished to a
remote priory on a false accusation of having received strangers and
even women into his cell. Once, as he knelt before the crucifix, he
exclaimed, =E2=80=9CLord, thou knowest that I am not guilty. Why dost thou permit me to be falsely accused?=E2=80=9D The reply came, =E2=80=9CAnd I, P= eter, what
did I do to deserve my passion and death?=E2=80=9D Rebuked yet consoled, th=
e
friar regained courage, and soon afterwards his innocence was
vindicated. His preaching from that time was more successful than
ever, as he went from town to town rousing the careless, converting
sinners, and bringing back the lapsed into the fold. To the fame of
his eloquence was soon added his reputation as a wonder-worker. When
he appeared in public he was almost crushed to death by the crowds who
flocked to him, some to ask his blessing, others to offer the sick for
him to cure, others to receive his instruction.
About the year 1234 Pope Gregory IX appointed Peter inquisitor general
for the Milanese territories. So zealously and well did he accomplish
his duties that his jurisdiction was extended to cover the greater
part of northern Italy. We find him at Bologna, Cremona, Ravenna,
Genoa, Venice and even in the Marches of Ancona, preaching the faith,
arguing with heretics, denouncing and reconciling them. Great as was
the success which everywhere crowned his efforts, Peter was well aware
that he had aroused bitter enmity, and he often prayed for the grace
to die as a martyr. When preaching on Palm Sunday, 1252, he announced
publicly that a conspiracy was on foot against him, a price having
been set on his head. =E2=80=9CLet them do their worst=E2=80=9D, he added, = =E2=80=9CI shall be
more powerful dead than alive=E2=80=9D.
As he was going from Como to Milan a fortnight later Peter was waylaid
in a wood near Barlassina by two assassins, one of whom, Carino,
struck him on the head with a bill-hook and then attacked his
companion, a friar named Dominic. Grievously wounded, but still
conscious, Peter Martyr commended himself and his murderer to God in
the words of St. Stephen. Afterwards, if we may believe a very old
tradition, with a finger dipped in his own blood he was tracing on the
ground the words Credo in Deum when his assailant dispatched him with
another blow. It was April 6, 1252, and the martyr had just completed
his 46th year. His companion, Brother Dominic, survived him only a few
days.
Although his parents were members of a heretical sect, St. Peter of
Verona was strong in his Catholic Faith. However, his faithfulness to
the Gospel message in his preaching as a Dominican, brought about much opposition, and eventually Peter paid with his life for preaching the
truth. One of the hazards of preaching and living the Gospel is that
we must be considered undesirable according to worldly values. With
faith in the Father, and as his children, we are called to stand firm
and never waver from the truth in the face of death.
Pope Innocent IV canonized St. Peter of Verona in the year after his
death. His murderer, Carino, fled to Forli, where repentance overtook
him; he abjured his heresy, became a Dominican lay-brother, and died
so holy a death that his memory was venerated. So recently as 1934 his
head was translated from Foril to Balsamo, his birthplace near Milan.
In the Acta Sanctorum, April, vol. iii, are printed a number of
documents, including the bull of canonization and a biography by Fr
Thomas Agni of Lentino, a contemporary. See also Mortier, Ma=C3=AEtres G=C3=A9n=C3=A9raux O.P., vol. iii, pp. 140-166; Monumenta Historica O.P., = vol.
i, pp. 236 seq....
Saint Quote:
Prayer is nothing else but union with God. In this intimate union, God
and the soul are fused together like two bits of wax that no one can
ever pull apart. This union of God with a tiny creature is a lovely
thing. It is a happiness beyond understanding.
--Saint John Vianney
Bible Quote:
He who loses his life for My sake and for the Gospel's sake will save
it. (Mark 8:35)
<><><><>
=E2=80=9CWhat does love look like?
It has the hands to help others.
It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.
It has eyes to see misery and want.
It has the ears to hear the sighs
and sorrows of men.
That is what love looks like.=E2=80=9D
St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Father & Doctor
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