ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH
Saints celebrated on the 4th of March
SAINT PETER, BISHOP OF POLICASTRO
Born in A.D. 1038, Peter was descended from the family of the Pappacarboni of Salerno. His paternal uncle was Saint Alpherius, founder and first abbot of the monastery of Cava, under whose supervision he was brought up. He took monastic vows under Abbot Leo, his uncle's successor and, in turn, became his successor in 1075.
We learn the following from his life story: During Lent, provided with five or six loaves of bread, he withdrew to a neighbouring mountain (Mount Eliah, Eliasberg), where he lived contemplating divine things. Learning of the good work of the Abbey of Cluny in France, he decided to go there with the permission of his abbot in 1068, and was kindly received by the abbot Hugo VI.
He stayed at this institute for eight years, learning obedience for himself and proper leadership for others. The Cava Religious Congregation, to which belonged 333 houses in different localities, was the gradual fruit of this sojourn. With some delay the brothers of the Order of Cava recognised the advantages of the Rule of Cluny, and it was adopted. Thereafter, the monastery flourished; the most respected men left the world and went under Peter's direction. Numerous foundations increased the income.
The bishopric of Policastro, which was conferred upon Peter soon after his return, he retained for only a short time. His life's work as a religious was dearer to him than all offices and dignities. Winning souls for Heaven was the only gain he sought. Saint Peter preceded all with the example of godliness.
Mature in years, but more mature in piety, he died on March 4, 1123 at the age of 85. His body was interred among the sarcophagi of his predecessors in the Oratory of Saint Michael and glorified by miracles. Initially, he was venerated in the Cluny religious houses and in the Cava Congregation, but gradually his name made its way into the martyrologies of the Benedictines and some of the Italian dioceses. It should also be mentioned that Pope Urban II was one of his students, and that in 1092 the Cava abbey church in honour of the Holy Trinity was completed and solemnly inaugurated. (I. 328–336)
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, pp. 795-96)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Peter may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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