Saint Peter Damian was born in 988 in Ravenna in a poor family. Peter’s childhood was full of hardships. Peter, who lost his parents at a young age, was raised by an older brother. The ruthless man brutally tortured baby Peter. He commissioned Peter as a caretaker of the piggery farm. Moreover, he was not even given the food he needed.
Realizing Peter’s plight, his younger brother, a priest, stayed with him and educated him. He was later sent to the University of Parma for higher studies. After his studies, Peter, his teacher, wanted to move away from worldly pleasures and live as a monk. So at the age of 28, Peter joined the Fonte Monastery of Avellana. He was subjected to severe torture. He was a theologian and began to teach fellow monks there.
Peter, due to his intelligence and piety, soon became the great of the Avellana Monastery. He had to perform many difficult and arduous tasks. In addition, he took part in the efforts to reform the church. Seven consecutive Popes elected Peter as their adviser. He was also appointed to resolve any disputes between the bishops. Peter solved them all very nicely and fairly.
In 1507, Peter has ordained bishop of Austria. He was soon elevated to cardinal. He rejected the cardinal’s position but eventually succumbed to the Pope’s insistence. The saint died of a fever on February 21, 1072, in a monastery belonging to his own church in Faenza.