-- 2 Corinthians 4:18 –

 -- 2 Corinthians 4:18 =E2=80=93

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since
what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D
"You cannot be satisfied with any temporal good, because you were not
created to enjoy these alone. If you desire inordinately these things
that are present, you shall lose those which are heavenly and
eternal."
--Thomas =C3=A5 Kempis

<<>><<>><<>>
29 April =E2=80=93 St Peter of Verona OP
 also known as St Peter Martyr

 (1205=E2=80=931252)
 Dominican Priest and Friar, a celebrated Preacher, miracle-worker,
Marian devotee. He served as Inquisitor in Lombardy, was killed by an
assassin and was Canonised 11 months after his death, making his the
fastest Canonisation in history. Patronages =E2=80=93 inquisitors, midwives=
,
Castelleone di Suasa, Italy, Verona, Italy, diocese of Guaynabo,
Puerto Rico. St Peter is the first Canonised martyr of the Dominican
Order.

In the English-speaking part of the world especially, all too little
is known about this illustrious Friar Preacher. Possibly this is in
part due to the well-known bias in England against the old-time
inquisition, which spread thence into the colonies founded by that
country, for Saint Peter was closely connected with that institution.
Indeed, by not a few he is considered as a man without a heart. Yet he
was most compassionate. His character was rounded out by an admirable
strength of will and a mind so judiciously balanced that he neither
shrank from duty, whatever the sacrifice, or even danger, it involved,
nor allowed his heart to control his judgement.

Father Thomas Agni of Leontino, another noted Dominican, archbishop of
Cosenza and later patriarch of Jerusalem, was the first to write a
life of the blessed martyr. His testimony should be all the more
reliable because he lived for many years with Saint Peter of Verona,
had been his superior and was an eye-witness of the principal events
in his life. The work shows no signs of undue predilection. Agni=E2=80=99s
original manuscript was for many years at Saint Mark=E2=80=99s Convent,
Florence. Another, with some additions by Father Ambrose Taegio, was
preserved in the Convent of Nostra Donna delle Grazie, Milan.

Peter was born in Verona, Italy in 1205, of parents who had embraced
the heresy of Catharism but he did attend a Catholic school. He was
educated at the University of Bologna and was accepted into the
Dominican Order by Dominic himself.

Because the Dominicans were theologically trained preachers, the popes
entrusted the Inquisition to them. In 1234, Pope Innocent IV
recognised Peter=E2=80=99s virtues (severity of life and doctrine, talent f=
or
preaching, and zeal for the orthodox Catholic faith) and appointed him
Inquisitor in Lombardy. He spent about six months in that office and
it is unclear whether he was ever involved in any trials. His one
recorded act was a declaration of clemency for those confessing heresy
or sympathy to heresy. In 1251 his jurisdiction was extended to most
of northern Italy. Although he attracted huge crowds with his
preaching, as an inquisitor he also made enemies.

Marvellously filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he laboured
continually for the propagation and defence of the true faith, being
zealous for its promotion among the people. To this end he established
the Association of the Faith and the Confraternity of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. He was a fervent promoter of community and fraternal life
and served the brethren wisely as a prior. He was also greatly
solicitous for the spiritual good of the sisters, lovingly assisting
them with his advice and exhortations to their spiritual benefit.

In his sermons he denounced heresy and also those Catholics who
professed the Faith by words but acted contrary to it in deeds. Crowds
came to meet him and followed him, conversions were numerous,
including many Cathars who returned to orthodoxy. Because of this, a
group of Milanese Cathars conspired to kill him. They hired an
assassin, one Carino of Balsamo. Carino=E2=80=99s accomplice was Manfredo
Clitoro of Giussano. On 6 April 1252, when Peter was returning from
Como to Milan, the two assassins followed Peter to a lonely spot near
Barlassina and there killed him and mortally wounded his companion, a
fellow friar named Domenico.

Carino struck Peter=E2=80=99s head with an axe and then attacked Domenico.
Peter rose to his knees and recited the first article of the Symbol of
the Apostles (the Apostle=E2=80=99s Creed). Offering his blood as a sacrifi=
ce
to God, according to legend, he dipped his fingers in it and wrote on
the ground: =E2=80=9CCredo in Deum=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CI believe in God=E2=80=
=9D, the first words of the
Apostles=E2=80=99 Creed. The blow that killed him cut off the top of his he=
ad
but the testimony given at the inquest into his death confirms that he
began reciting the Creed when he was attacked. Domenico was carried to
Meda, where he died five days afterwards.

The murderer Carino, renounced heresy, became a Dominican co-operator
brother and died with a reputation for sanctity.  He is the subject of
a local cult as Blessed Carino of Balsamo.

Wherever he went, the deaf, the dumb, the blind, the lame and people
sick with every kind of ailment were brought to him. Ordinarily all
were benefited by his prayers.  They praised God for the power of
healing which He had given His servant.

Peter of Verona and with reason, was considered a learned doctor. Yet
he ever continued to store his mind with new knowledge, whether
through prayer, meditation, or reading the Sacred Writings. The
example which he set his religious brethren showed them by what means
they could perfect themselves in their state of life and make
themselves useful to the Church. Never did his degree of Master in
Sacred Theology cause him to neglect study. Study never prevented him
from being the first at all the regular exercises. Well did he know
how to combine the practices of the cloister with the labours of the
apostolic life.

In private conversation, just as in his sermons, he stimulated the
faithful with his personal sentiments of love for the Blessed Virgin.
Because of his influence in their favour the Servites (they were
investigated to ensure their orthodoxy) have ever regarded Peter of
Verona in the light of a second founder of their order. After his
Canonisation, they placed him on the list of their holy patrons and
protectors.

The Bull of Canonisation was sent at once to all bishops and
ecclesiastical superiors, with an order that the feast of Peter of
Verona should be celebrated every year on 29 April. This day was
chosen for the celebration because of his martyrdom, 6 April often
falls in Holy Week, or within the octave of Easter. Alexander IV and
several of his successors, prescribed that the feast should be of the
same obligation as that of Saint Dominic. Finally, Clement X, by a
papal decree, ordered that the feast of Saint Peter Martyr should have
the rank of a duplex for the whole Church. This was in 1670 and the
practice is in use today, wherever the Roman breviary is recited.

However, veneration of Peter of Verona is especially noteworthy in the
Order of Friars Preacher and in that of the Servites. It is
particularly the case in Italy, the land of his birth, the field of
his labours and the place of his holy death. There many are the
churches, chapels and confraternities erected in his honour.

The body of the martyr is still preserved and venerated in a
magnificent chapel of Saint Eustorgio, Milan. Princes and noblemen of
France, Germany, England and Italy (particularly the archbishops of
Milan) imitated the king and queen of Cyprus with their rich gifts for
the enshrinement of the saint=E2=80=99s relics. At each time of their vario=
us
translations (1253, 1340, 1651 and 1736) many miracles were wrought.
Suffice it to say that the Acta Sanctorum, in the third volume for
April, where they treat of our martyr, gives a long list of attested
wonders worked by him.

Saint Thomas of Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor, was an ardent admirer of
Peter of Verona.  In 1263 he visited the martyr=E2=80=99s sepulchre. While =
at
Saint Eustorgio=E2=80=99s Convent, the great theologian and poet wrote the
following verses in eulogy of the valiant athlete of the faith, which
were afterwards engraved on a marble slab and placed near his tomb,
where they may still he read:

Here silent is Christ=E2=80=99s Herald.
Here quenched, the People=E2=80=99s Light.
Here lies the martyred Champion
Who fought Faith=E2=80=99s holy fight.
The Voice the sheep heard gladly,
The light they loved to see
He fell beneath the weapons
Of graceless Cathari.
The Saviour crowns His Soldier.
His praise the people psalm.
The Faith he kept adorns him
With martyr=E2=80=99s fadeless palm.
His praise new marvels utter,
New light he spreads abroad
And now the whole wide city
Knows well the path to God.

https://anastpaul.com/2019/04/29/


Saint Quote:
"The judgment of the Church should be conformed to the judgment of God."
--St. Thomas Aquinas (Doctor, 1225-74) - ("Summa Theologica",

Bible Quotes:
"But we have the mind of Christ."  (1 Cor 2:16)

"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"  (Matt 6:10)


<><><><>
To Prevent One Mortal Sin

IF EVERY DAY WE BEGGED MARY FOR GRACE TO HINDER ONE MORTAL SIN,
WHAT A YEAR'S SERVICE TO GOD AND SOULS!

O MARY, Immaculate Mother of Jesus, we beseech thee, offer to the
Eternal Father the Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, to prevent at least
one mortal sin from being committed somewhere in the world today. Amen.