St. Peter of Verona, Priest and Martyr
Obligatory Memorial
Born in Verona, Italy, at the end of the 12th century to parents who were followers of the Manichaeans, he was converted to the Catholic faith as a child. As a young man, he went to Bologna for his studies and embraced the Order, moved by the preaching of St. Dominic, from whom he received the habit. From then on he devoted himself to preaching, especially among the Cathars, and, following the evangelical way of dialogue taught by the holy Master Dominic, became an outstanding herald and witness of the Gospel of salvation.
Wonderfully strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he labored zealously for the spread and defense of the true faith. Concerned for the promotion of the faith among the people, he established “Associations of the Faith” and “Confraternities of Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” A lover and promoter of fraternity, he fervently encouraged common life, wisely ordered it as prior, and vigorously defended it.
Greatly concerned also for the spiritual good of the sisters, he assisted them with loving counsel and encouragement, and was of great help to them as a spiritual director.
Toward the end of his life, having been appointed to the office of inquisitor, he carried out his apostolic mission effectively and with great humanity during the middle of the year 1251. On April 6, 1252, while returning from Como to Milan, he fell by the sword of heretics “for devotion to the faith and obedience to the Roman Church,” confessing the Creed with his final words and sealing it with his blood. One of his assassins, Carino, later embraced the Order.
On March 9, 1253, Innocent IV enrolled Peter in the catalogue of saints and established his feast on April 29. After the most recent liturgical reform, his feast is celebrated today, the anniversary of the translation of his relics in 1340.
Proprium Officiorum Ordinis Praedicatorum ad Normam Decretorum Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II Instauratum Vincentii Couesnongle iussu editum, Editio typica, Sanctae Sabinae, Romae 1982.
