Saint of the Day: St. Peter Chrysologus. Peter was born in the small town of Imola, Italy. He lived in the fifth century. Bishop Cornelius of Imola educated him and ordained him a deacon. Even as a boy, Peter understood that a person is truly great only if he can control his passions and put on the spirit of Christ. When the archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, died, Peter was appointed by Pope Sixtus III to succeed him. This was around 433. As a priest and bishop, St. Peter was effective. He worked hard to wipe out the paganism still practiced in his diocese. He helped his people grow in faith. It was as a preacher that St. Peter became famous. Indeed, “Chrysologus” means “golden word.” Yet his sermons or homilies were all short and simple. But St. Peter’s message was more valuable than gold. He preached with such enthusiasm and fire that people listened to him breathlessly. In his sermons, St. Peter urged everyone to receive Jesus often in Holy Communion. He wanted people to realize that the Body of the Lord should be the daily food for their souls. This good archbishop also worked for the unity of all the members of the Catholic Church. He tried to prevent people from getting confused about what Catholics believe. He also tried to keep peace. St. Peter Chrysologus died in 450, in his hometown of Imola. For his wonderful sermons, so rich in teaching, Pope Benedict XIII declared St. Peter to be a Doctor of the Church in 1729. About 180 of these sermons still exist. ❦ St. Peter Chrysologus preached a simple message that was easy to understand. We can be like him by putting the Gospel into practice with little acts of kindness. This is a message that everyone can understand and appreciate.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 02:17:08 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015