St. Peter Chrysologus
“O man, why do you have so low an opinion of yourself, when you are so precious to God?”
The bishop of imperial Ravenna explained the Incarnation and Christian life in brief, vivid sermons that earned him the title Golden-Worded.
The story
Peter was born around 380 at Forum Cornelii, the modern city of Imola in northern Italy. Firm details about his youth are scarce. He became a deacon under Cornelius, bishop of Imola, who helped form him in Scripture and pastoral ministry. Later medieval sources embellished Peter's early life, so their more dramatic details must be treated cautiously.
Peter became bishop of Ravenna sometime in the first half of the fifth century, probably during the pontificate of Pope Sixtus III. Ravenna was then an imperial residence and an important political center of the Western Roman Empire. Its bishop therefore served a population that included court officials, soldiers, merchants, clergy, and poor families. Peter preached in a direct and memorable style. His later title, Chrysologus, means “Golden-Worded.”
About 170 sermons associated with him survive, although scholarly judgments differ about the exact limits of the authentic collection. They treat the Creed, the Incarnation, Christ's parables and miracles, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, repentance, and the duties of Christian life. Peter emphasized that the eternal Son truly assumed human flesh for human salvation. He urged his hearers to let fasting nourish mercy rather than pride, and he joined prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as inseparable practices. His sermons are usually brief, but their language is vivid and carefully constructed.
Peter also wrote to the monk Eutyches during the controversy over how Christ's divinity and humanity should be confessed. He advised Eutyches to heed the judgment of the Bishop of Rome and not to treat the mystery of the Incarnation as a subject for reckless argument. Peter died around 450, probably at Imola, shortly before the Council of Chalcedon gave its great definition concerning the one person of Christ in two natures. His cult developed in antiquity. Pope Benedict XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1729. The General Roman Calendar observes his optional memorial on July 30.
What Peter teaches
St. Peter Chrysologus teaches that clear preaching should lead to worship, repentance, and mercy. Catholic teaching about the Incarnation protects the truth that the Son of God truly became man while remaining divine (CCC 464). Words about Christ bear fruit when daily conduct confirms them.
Patronage
preachers, homilists, Ravenna, Imola.
Prayer
God of truth, through the intercession of St. Peter Chrysologus, give your Church preachers who speak clearly, faithfully, and with charity. Help us receive the mystery of your Son with humility and put his teaching into practice through prayer and mercy. Amen.