This is the Liturgy of the Hours for February 21. Your local date is .
February 21
Optional Memorial
St. Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, was born to a poor family in central Italy in 1007. His older brother, a priest, provided for his education and St. Peter Damian became a professor. In his late twenties, he joined a Benedictine hermitage in Fonte Avellana, eventually becoming its prior. He devoted his intellect and energy to improving religious practice and morality in the Church. He wrote many exhortations against simony, wantonness, and worldliness among religious leaders. Upon his consecration of Bishop, St. Peter Damian stressed even more the importance of a unified Church and a morally exemplary clergy. In 1823, Pope Leo XII declared him a Doctor of the Church.
Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Peter Damian.”
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.