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Also known as: Peter
Urseolus
Profile
Born to a wealthy, noble, and prominent family. Married at age 18 to
Felicitas, and the father of one son, Peter, who became the Doge of Venice
in 991. Admiral and commander of the Venetian fleet by age 20. Rid the
Adriatic Sea of pirates.
Chosen Doge of Venice on 12 August 976, the day after a revolt, the murder
of his predecessor, and a fire that destroyed much of the city. Built
hospitals and orphanages, started reconstruction of the Cathedral of Saint
Mark, and began social programs to help widows, orphans, pilgrims, and the
abandoned. He poured much of his own fortune into the effort, and within
two years Peter had restored law and order, and rebuilt much of the city.
Rightly considered one of Venice's greatest rulers.
In the night of 1 September 978, believing his duty to the world
fulfilled, and possibly feeling crushed by it all, Peter secretly left
Venice for the Benedictine monastery of Cuxa in the Pyrenees on the border
of France and Spain, not even telling his family of his plans. Benedictine
monk. While the move was sudden, it was apparently something he'd been
considering for over a decade. When his wife learned of his move, she
approved; they'd lived in celibacy since the birth of their son, and she
knew of his spiritual yearnings. Spiritual student of Saint Romuald at
Cuxa at whose suggestion he built a hermitage, and retired even further
from the world, spending the rest of his life in solitude and prayer.
Born: 928 at Rivo alto,
Province of Udina, Venice
Died: 10 January 987 at Cuxa of natural causes; his tomb became a
site for pilgrimages and miracles
Canonized: recognized in 1027 by the bishop of Elne; confirmed by
Pope Clement XII in 1731
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintp88.htm
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