Story of Saint Peter the Martyr | Stories of Saints | Episode 175

Summary

Saint Peter of Verona, a 13th-century Dominican friar, was renowned for his inspiring sermons and miracles that led to mass conversions. Serving as an inquisitor, he denounced heresy and promoted the faith, earning him many enemies. Assassinated at 47, his death led to the fastest canonization in history. His life and martyrdom continue to inspire, as he is remembered for his unwavering dedication to the Church and his powerful preaching against heresy.

Takeaways

• 😇 Saint Peter of Verona was a 13th-century Italian Catholic priest and Dominican friar known for his preaching and miracles.
• 🔊 He became famous for moving people to conversion through his sermons and was appointed as an inquisitor in Lombardy.
• 💡 Peter was born to Catharist parents but was educated in Catholicism, eventually joining the Dominican Order at 16.
• 📖 He was educated at the University of Bologna and was inspired by Saint Dominic to join the Dominican Order.
• 🙏 Peter dedicated himself to religious life, studying, praying, and serving the sick, and became a successful preacher in Lombardy.
• 🗣️ He often began his sermons with a call to repentance, comparing cities to Nineveh and urging conversion to avoid divine punishment.
• 👥 His preaching attracted large crowds and led to numerous conversions, but also made him many enemies.
• 🏛️ In 1234, Peter was appointed a judicial officer in Milan, and by 1251, he was the head of the judicial in most of northern Italy.
• 🛡️ Despite threats to his life, Peter continued his work, even after revealing that a price had been placed on his head.
• ⚔️ He was assassinated by Cathar heretics in 1252, showing great faith and courage in his final moments.
• 🕊️ The assassin, Corrino, later repented, left heresy, and joined the Dominicans, illustrating the impact of Peter's influence.
• 🏆 Saint Peter was canonized less than a year after his death, marking the fastest canonization in Catholic history.

Q & A

Who was Saint Peter of Verona also known as?

Saint Peter of Verona was also known as Saint Peter Martyr.

What was Saint Peter Martyr's profession and religious order?

He was a 13th-century Italian Catholic priest, a Dominican friar, and a celebrated preacher.

Why was Saint Peter Martyr famous?

He became famous for moving people to conversion through his preaching and miracles.

What role did Saint Peter Martyr serve in Lombardy?

He served as an inquisitor in Lombardy.

How quickly was Saint Peter Martyr canonized after his death?

He was canonized as a Catholic saint 11 months after his death, making it the fastest canonization in history.

Who wrote the first life of Saint Peter Martyr?

Thomas Agne of Leontino, the Dominican Archbishop of Casenza and later Patriarch of Jerusalem, wrote the first life of the blessed martyr.

What were the religious beliefs of Saint Peter Martyr's parents?

Both of his parents were Catharists, a heresy that denied God created the material world.

At what age did Saint Peter Martyr join the Dominican Order?

He joined the Dominican Order at the age of 16.

What was the significance of Saint Peter Martyr's preaching style in the Lombardy region?

He was well known for his inspiring sermons and often began them with the words '40 days are granted to Nineveh to convert, or it will be destroyed', moving people to penance.

What position did Saint Peter Martyr hold in 1234 and 1251?

In 1234, he was appointed a judicial officer of the Milan area, and in 1251, he became the head of the judicial in most of northern Italy.

How did Saint Peter Martyr's life end?

He was assassinated by a group of Milanese Cathars who hired an assassin named Juan Carino of Balsam.

What did the assassin Corrino do after killing Saint Peter Martyr?

Corrino, the assassin, fled to a distant town but was overwhelmed with shame, repented of his crime, turned from the heresy, and later joined the Dominicans himself.

At what age was Saint Peter Martyr martyred?

Saint Peter Martyr was martyred at the age of 47.

What is the significance of the symbol of the Apostles in Saint Peter Martyr's story?

Saint Peter Martyr recited the first article of the symbol of the Apostles, offering his blood as a sacrifice to God, and is said to have written 'Credo in Deum' (I believe in God) in his own blood on the ground.