February 21 2023 - St. Peter Damian, doctor of the Church - Baptismal Maturity

 Today we celebrate Saint Peter Damian, Cardinal, Bishop, and Doctor of the Church.  St. Peter Damian was born around the year 1000 in Ravenna Italy and studied at the university of Pavia and lived a very devout life as a lay man with much prayer and fasting.  Feeling the call to consecrate himself more fully to the Lord, he entered a Benedictine monastery.  

He became known for his great learning and holiness. He was a writer, thinker, poet, became an advisor to seven popes.

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. 

Almost 700 years after his death, St. Peter Damian was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XII  

He is often depicted in art with the leather strap in his hands, representing the disciplines he undertook out of penance and mortification.

Here’s a wonderful model for us to consider as we prepare for the beginning of Lent tomorrow.

A holy life includes prayer, fasting, learning, speaking the truth, accepting the crosses the Lord gives us, asceticism, and also the mortification of our bodies and minds. 

Lent helps us to prepare for the great Easter mysteries by committing ourselves to fulfill our baptismal call to maturity, holiness, service, and community. Our response to practice baptismal maturity demands sacrifice, mortification, asceticism, and denial of our own self-will. Mortification helps to "put to death" the cancer cells of sin; asceticism brings a discipline that makes us increasingly free and responsible. 

To accept the call to Lenten penance is to cooperate with the action and grace of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, enkindle charity in us, and empower us to live more fully the way of Christian discipleship.

May St. Peter Damian’s holy example and heavenly intercession assist us in beginning Lent with hearts seeking conversion, sanctification, and ever-deeper faithfulness to the mission Christ has given us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Holy Spirit may embolden us in our Christian mission and help us to put our physical, intellectual, and spiritual gifts more fully in God’s service. 

For those called by God to enter religious life, for their sanctification, and for all Christians to seek spiritual maturity befitting their baptismal call.

That the upcoming season of Lent may be a time of profound renewal for our parish and the Church as we engage in the penitential practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

For all those impacted by the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, for the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey, for the defense of our nation from all threats foreign and domestic, for those who struggle because of addiction, mental illness, insomnia, chronic sickness, unemployment, inclement weather, or ongoing trials of any kind. 

For the deceased members of our family and friends and parish, for the souls in purgatory, and for…

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.