Peter Damian

Lore & Background

Peter was born in Ravenna around 1007, the youngest of a large but poor noble family. Orphaned early, he was ill-treated by an elder brother who employed him as a swineherd, but another brother, Damianus, an archpriest, took him to be educated. Adding his brother's name to his own, Peter studied theology and canon law at Ravenna, Faenza, and the University of Parma, becoming a famous teacher by about age 25. Around 1035, he gave up his secular calling and entered the hermitage of Fonte Avellana, where his fervor led to extreme self-mortification and severe insomnia. After recovery, he lectured to fellow monks and, at the request of Guy of Pomposa and others, lectured at neighboring monasteries. In 1043 he became prior of Fonte Avellana, remaining so until his death. He introduced stricter discipline, including flagellation, and founded subject-hermitages at San Severino, Gamogna, Acerreta, Murciana, San Salvatore, Sitria, and Ocri.

Reader's Guide

Peter Damian was a central figure in 11th-century church reform, closely watching the fortunes of the church from his cloister and corresponding with popes and emperors. He wrote extensively on theological and disciplinary issues, including the Liber Gomorrhianus against simony, concubinage, and sodomy, and the Liber Gratissimus defending the validity of ordinations by simoniacal clerics. As cardinal bishop of Ostia from 1057, he served as papal legate to Milan in 1059, where he confronted clergy who resisted reform and secured their submission to the Holy See. He also assisted Pope Alexander II against the antipope Honorius II and was legate to settle a dispute between Cluny and the Bishop of Mâcon. His insistence that philosophy must remain subservient to religion influenced later thought, and his tract De divina omnipotentia defended divine omnipotence while recognizing God's ability to act outside time. Pope Benedict XVI described him as 'one of the most significant figures of the 11th century, ... a lover of solitude and at the same time a fearless man of the Church, committed personally to the task of reform.'

Did You Know?

• Peter Damian was originally a swineherd for an elder brother before being rescued and educated by his brother Damianus, an archpriest.
• He introduced the practice of daily siesta at Fonte Avellana to compensate for fatigue from the night office.
• His tract Liber Gratissimus argued for the validity of ordinations by simoniacal clerics, a position that influenced church policy by the end of the 12th century.
• As cardinal bishop of Ostia, he was consecrated on 30 November 1057, after initially resisting the appointment.
• Pope Benedict XVI called him 'one of the most significant figures of the 11th century' and 'a fearless man of the Church, committed personally to the task of reform.'