St. Peter Damian

The hermit-cardinal who fought clerical corruption and longed only to return to his cell.

The story

Orphaned and abused as a child, then rescued by a brother, Peter became a brilliant teacher, then a hermit at Fonte Avellana. Popes dragged him out repeatedly to reform monasteries and confront simony and clerical immorality, which he attacked fearlessly in the Book of Gomorrah. Made cardinal against his will, he kept begging to go home to solitude.

What Peter teaches

Reform begins with your own repentance. Peter Damian was as hard on himself as on the corrupt.

Patronage

reformers.

Prayer

St. Peter Damian, pray for the purification of the Church and for holy priests. Amen.