Peter of Verona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintPeter of Verona OP |
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Saint Peter the Martyr by Pedro Berruguete
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| Martyr | |
| Born | 29 October 1205 Verona, Italy |
| Died | April 29, 1252 (aged 46) Milan, Italy |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | 9 March 1253, Perugia, Italy by Pope Innocent IV |
| Feast | 29 April |
| Attributes | religious habit of a Dominican. |
| Patronage | Order of Preachers, Inquisitors, midwives, Lombardy, Como, Cremona, Duchy of Modena and Reggio, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico |
Saint Peter of Verona (born in 1205, died in 1252) was an Italian Catholic priest from the 1200s. He was a Dominican friar, which means he belonged to a special religious order called the Dominicans. He was also a very famous preacher.
Peter worked as an Inquisitor in a region of Italy called Lombardy. Sadly, he was killed by an assassin. He became a Catholic saint just 11 months after he died. This was the fastest canonization in history!
Contents
Peter's Early Life
The first person to write about Peter of Verona's life was Thomas Agni of Leontino. Thomas was a Dominican archbishop and had lived with Peter for many years. He was also Peter's boss.
Peter was born in the city of Verona, Italy. His family might have had some connections to the Cathar faith. Catharism was a different Christian belief that the Catholic Church considered a heresy.
Peter went to a Catholic school. Later, he studied at the University of Bologna. Even though some people around him had different beliefs, he stayed true to his Catholic faith. When he was about fifteen, he met Dominic of Osma, who founded the Dominican Order.
Peter decided to join the Order of the Friars Preachers (Dominicans). He became a very well-known preacher. He traveled and preached all over northern and central Italy.
Peter's Work as a Preacher
Starting in the 1230s, Peter began to preach against heresy. He especially spoke out against Catharism. Many people in northern Italy followed the Cathar faith during the 1200s.
In 1234, Pope Gregory IX made Peter the main Inquisitor for northern Italy. An Inquisitor was someone appointed by the Church to find and correct people who held beliefs different from the main Catholic teachings.
Peter traveled across almost all of Italy, sharing his message. He preached in big cities like Rome, Florence, Bologna, Genoa, and Como. Around 1240, he is also known for starting a group called the Venerabile Arciconfraternita della Misericordia di Firenze. This group helped people in need.
In 1243, Peter suggested to the Pope that a new religious group, the Servite Order, should be approved. In 1251, Pope Innocent IV noticed Peter's strong faith and good character. He saw Peter's talent for preaching and his dedication to the Catholic faith. So, the Pope appointed Peter as an Inquisitor in Lombardy.
Peter held this job for about six months. It's not clear if he was involved in many trials. One thing he did was offer forgiveness to people who admitted they had followed or supported heresies.
In his sermons, Peter spoke against heresy. He also criticized Catholics who said they believed in the faith but did not act according to its teachings. Many people came to hear him speak and followed him. Lots of people converted, including many Cathars who returned to the Catholic Church.
Peter's Death
Because of Peter's strong preaching and success, some Cathars in Milan planned to kill him. They hired an assassin named Carino of Balsamo. Carino had an accomplice named Manfredo Clitoro of Giussano.
On April 6, 1252, Peter was traveling back to Milan from Como. The two assassins followed Peter to a quiet place near Barlassina. There, they attacked him. They killed Peter and badly wounded his friend, a fellow friar named Domenico.
Carino first wounded Peter, then attacked Domenico. Domenico was taken to Meda, where he died five days later.
Stories and Miracles
According to stories from the Dominican Order, Peter often talked with saints. These included the virgin martyrs Catherine, Agnes, and Cecilia.
One time, Peter was preaching to a very large crowd under the hot sun. People who disagreed with him challenged him to make shade for his listeners. As Peter prayed, a cloud appeared and covered the audience, giving them shade.
Honoring Saint Peter
Peter's body was taken to Milan. It was placed in the Church of Sant'Eustorgio. A beautiful tomb, made by Balduccio Pisano, was built there to honor him. Since the 1700s, this tomb has been in the Portinari Chapel.
Many miracles were said to have happened because of Peter while he was alive. Even more miracles were reported after he died as a martyr.
Peter was made a saint by Pope Innocent IV on March 9, 1253. This was the fastest canonization in the history of the popes. Saint Peter the Martyr's feast day (a special day to remember him) is April 6. However, his Dominican brothers celebrate it on June 4.
From 1586 to 1969, his feast day was celebrated on April 29. April 6, his death date, was not used because it often falls during the Easter Triduum, which is a very important time in the Church calendar. The Church of Santa Maria Antiqua in Verona is also dedicated to him.
Carino, the assassin, later felt very sorry for what he had done. He confessed his crime and converted to the Catholic Church. He eventually became a lay brother in the Dominican convent in Forlì. People in that area honor him as Blessed Carino of Balsamo.
The sculptures on the large door of S. Anastasia, the Dominican Church in Verona, show scenes from the life of Saint Peter Martyr.
Images for kids
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Madonna and Child with St Peter Martyr, by Lorenzo Lotto
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The Assassination of Saint Peter Martyr, by Giovanni Bellini.
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The fire miracle of Saint Peter Martyr by Antonio Vivarini.
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Tomb in Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio, Milan
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Peter of Verona's body is moved from Basilica of San Simpliciano to Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio.
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Friar Angelo Ferretti as Saint Peter Martyr, by Lorenzo Lotto
