Peter Damian lost his parents when he was only a child. He was left to the care of one of his older brothers, who was very cruel to him and neglected his needs. Peter’s clothing consisted of rags which could scarcely cover him, and his food was barely enough to sustain his life.
One day, young Peter the child found a silver coin in the road. This would have been a treasure for him, as he would now be able to buy some food or shoes for his feet. As he was thinking of what he would do with the money, he thought of his parents who were dead, of the suffering they might be experiencing in Purgatory. So he said to himself , “I shall, take this piece of silver to the priest and ask him to offer holy Mass for them."
This he did, and from that moment a great change came over his life. His eldest brother came to visit and was horrified at the brutal hardships the little fellow was subjected to; so he assumed responsibility for Peter. He clad him and fed him as his own child, and educated and cared for him most affectionately. Under his care Peter grew up to be a very pious, and learned layman, he devoted himself to much prayer, fasting, and vigilance. But he wasn’t satisfied with this, and wanted to give himself entirely to the Lord, so he entered a Benedictine monastery, where his love for learning really began to flourish.
He was known widely for his great learning and holiness and was an adviser to seven popes. He was a writer, thinker, poet, and a true reformer, His often used his authority to speak out against the abuses of the time, and died in the presence of his brother monks.
His life was not without suffering, however; he suffered from chronic insomnia throughout his life, which he offered in union with the sufferings of Christ; he is the patron saint of insomniacs.
The heroic charity and selflessness of a young boy flourished into a life of beauty, grace, and service. This is why the Lord so often proclaims the poor to be blessed, he extols the widow’s mite, for example; they are more generous in their poverty than the rich often are in their tremendous wealth.
How often do we clutch our silver pieces to ourselves?
May St. Peter Damian, doctor of the Church, continue to teach us the importance of selfless charity and courageous faith; may we teach our young people to follow his example, to become worthy of the kingdom of heaven, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For all those struggling with bleak economic situation, for the underemployed and unemployed, may they know the closeness of God and the charity of the Christian Church.
That the Lord may have mercy upon all orphans, for the abandoned, for children whose care is neglected, for the unborn at risk of being aborted, and that the Lord will raise up men, women to labor for the defenseless and vulnerable.
That our young people may be instilled with faith that looks to the selfless example of the saints rather than the selfish example of the world.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
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