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Youngest child in a large family. Orphaned. Sent to live with a brother,
he was mistreated and forced to work as a swine-herd. Cared for another
brother, a priest in Ravenna, Italy. Well educated in Fienza and Parma.
Professor. Lived a life of strict austerity.
Gave up his teaching to become a Benedictine monk. His health suffered,
especially when he tried to replace sleep with prayer. Abbot. Founded
hermitages. Occasionally called on by the Vatican to make peace between
arguing monastic houses, clergymen, and government officials, etc.
Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia. Fought simony. Tried to restore primitive
discipline among priests and religious who were becoming more and more of
the world. Prolific correspondent, he also wrote dozens of sermons, seven
biographies (including a one of Saint Romuald), and poetry, including some
of the best Latin of the time. Tried to retire to being a monk, but
routinely recalled as papal legate. Declared a Doctor of the Church in
1828.
"Let us faithfully transmit to posterity the example of virtue which we
have received from our forefathers." -Saint Peter Damian
Born: 1007 at Ravenna, Italy
Died: 22 February 1072 of fever at Ravenna while surrounded by
brother monks reciting the Divine Office
Beatified: wasn't
Canonized: never formally canonized; cultus developed almost
immediately after his death; cultus approved and extended to the whole
Church in 1823 by Pope Leo XII
Representation: cardinal bearing a discipline in his hand; pilgrim
holding a papal Bull, to signify his many legations
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