Born in Italy late in the 10th century he was the youngest child in a family of nobles who had fallen on hard times. 

When his parents died, he was taken in by his oldest brother who mistreated him. Eventually, another brother, Damanius, who was a priest, took Peter in and educated him. 

He was an outstanding student and by the time he was in his mid-twenties was already teaching, with a reputation as an outstanding educator. 

Always drawn to hours of prayer and mortification, Peter eventually joined the Benedictines. 

His zeal for prayer and scripture consumed him and he had difficulty getting rest. 

After the Abbot died, Peter was assigned the role, in spite of his desire to remain in solitude, and he built five more hermitages. 

His skills could be seen all the way from Rome, and the Pope called upon him to resolve a number of disputes between The Church and the government, and within The Church itself, as he pushed hard for reform. 

Among his many writings was Liber Gomorrainus, a treatise attacking the many vices of the clergy and The Church’s refusal to deal with these abuses. 

One of his best friends, who also fought for reform, was Pope Gregory VII, who would lead the Gregorian Reformation. 

Peter was named Cardinal and Bishop of Ravenna. His writings include over 150 letters and more than fifty sermons. 

Though Peter retired, he remained a Papal legate. 

Returning from one of his missions he became ill and died, at the age of 94. 

Saint Peter Damien, please pray for us.