ST Peter Damian was a champion of the renewal of the Church in the 11th Century.
It was a time when simony was rife, clerical abuses were widespread and morality among the laity was wayward.
Through his writings and his sermons, St Peter Damian helped to steer Christendom back towards the Gospel.
Born around 1007 in Ravenna, Italy, Peter’s early life was marked by hardship, having been orphaned and raised by his brother, who mistreated him and forced him to work as a swineherd.
He was taken in by an older brother, Damianus, who was archpriest of Ravenna, who treated him far better.
Damianus helped Peter get a good education and he went on to become a professor.
Honouring his brother, Peter took on his name as a second name, Damian.
Peter Damian displayed remarkable piety in his spiritual life, wearing a hair shirt under his clothes, regularly fasting and spending long hours in prayer.
He ultimately entered the Benedictine Order at Fonte Avellana.
His gifts of piety and intellect impressed those around him and he succeeded in becoming the next prior of the community, going on to found five more hermitages.
The Holy See called on him to settle ecclesial disputes and was made a cardinal bishop by Pope Stephen IX.
It was in this role that he battled against simony and other corruptions facing the Church at the time.
He was a prolific writer, penning many letters, biographies and sermons that called for a return to simplicity and holiness.
He frequently asked the pope to retire as he wanted to return to his monastic life.
This wish was eventually granted by Pope Alexander II and he lived happily, but was still often called upon for his expertise as a papal legate.
On one of his journeys, he contracted fever and died.
He died with his fellow monks praying the Divine Office around him on February 22, 1072.
He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1828.
