Saint Peter Damian

<p>Peter was born in 1007 into a large family in Ravenna, Italy. His parents died while he was still very young, and at first he was cared for by one of his married brothers. Later, another older brother, a priest in Ravenna named Damian, undertook to care for and educate Peter, who appreciated this so much that he took on his brother's name and called himself Peter Damian. He became a hermit monk and was eventually chosen as the superior of his community. In 1057 he was appointed the bishop of Ostia. Throughout his life he fought for clerical reform and against the laxness and immorality of the clergy of his day. He eventually received permission from Pope Alexander to return to the simple life of a monk. He died in 1072 and is a Doctor of the Church.<br /><em><br />©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</em></p>