+ St Peter Damian was a stern figure, like
St John the Baptist, who seems to be specifically raised up to call lax men and
women to repentance and the narrow path of virtue. He was raised by his brother
who was archpriest of Ravenna, who saw to it that Peter was well educated. The
youth was more interested though in a life of penance and helping the poor. He
soon found himself living a hermit’s life and being taken under the wing of a
couple of saintly Benedictine monks.
Peter
lived a Benedictine hermit’s life then, but was soon called upon to
take the role of Abbot among the hermits when the present abbot died. As abbot
he founded five other houses of hermits. His chief care was to foster in his
disciples the spirit of solitude, charity and humility. Many of them became
great lights of the Church.
Peter
also was called upon by the holy see to help in many matters which
troubled the pope. His writings appear to be strict and vehement but this
because he was trying to enforce the observance of morality and discipline,
especially among the clergy and monks. He severely rebuked the Bishop of
Florence for playing a game of chess.
He
fought simony and upheld clerical celibacy, he encouraged a
common life for the secular clergy. During his last trip as papal envoy in
1072, Peter caught a fever and lay dying. While monks gathered around him
singing the Divine Office he died. His preaching was most eloquent, his
writings voluminous, he was declared doctor of the Church in 1828.
The
true teachings of the Lord could flow into and out of St Peter
Damian because he acquired the discipline of cooperation to grace – to remain
attached to the “vine which is Christ.” Apparently, he did so with great vigor
because some very strong and useful preaching and teaching came forth from him
– at a time in history when it was precisely needed. In this day and age –
great channels of courage and moral fortitude are needed as well. Christians
have the moral obligation to help steer the ship of civil government when it is
dangerous waters, by their calm and peaceful shining of the light of truth and
charity towards all. May we cooperate with grace today, as Peter Damian did, so
that God can use us as he wills, for our own good, that of our loved ones, our
countrymen and our world.
Remain in my love, says the
Lord; whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
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